NFPA Journal - Summer 2021 - 20

Dispatches
RESEARCH

HAPPY CAMPER?

ON THE BRINK OF THE SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON, A RECENT REPORT
OUTLINES THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
By Angelo Verzoni
ith the arrival of

For non-RV owners looking to rent the vehicles, similar
recommendations exist, Mulvaney said.
" Do the homework with the [RV] owner, " he said. " Ask
when the last time the vehicle was inspected, take a look
at the fire extinguisher, make sure it's current and that the
extinguisher itself hasn't expired, and check those monitors-there are indication lights
on the propane system as well as
the carbon monoxide system that
Annual average
show that they're current and funcnumber of RV fires*
tioning correctly. You can manually
check smoke alarms to make sure
there's an audible alarm. Ask if
Annual number
of fire deaths
there's an owner's manual so you
can familiarize yourself with the
vehicle and learn how it operates.
Annual number
You really need to just take the bull
of fire injuries
by the horns. "
Source: NFPA data
*Includes fires when RV is being
RV fire safety is more importused as a structure; excludes
vehicle fires involving RVs
ant than ever, given the number
of people choosing camping over
other vacations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mulvaney said KOA data showed " a major uptick " of about 7
percent in new campers in the US in 2020. " Folks obviously changed plans to fly or travel abroad and chose to
either rent or buy an RV ... and go out and explore the
outdoors through camping, " he said.
Watch more from the foundation's interview with
Mulvaney, and download the full " Fire Damage and Loss
Assessment of Recreational Vehicles " report at nfpa.org/
rvsafety.

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camping season in
the United States, fire
safety experts say it's
important to recognize the fire hazards that can exist
in recreational vehicles (RVs). These
range from electrical and mechanical
failures to heaters running too close
to combustible materials, cooking
equipment, and more.
A report released by the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) in December shed light
on the issue. " Most fatal [RV] fires occur in older models of
RVs, as they have fewer and less advanced fire safety measures, " the report reads. " They also have older engines and
equipment that are more likely to fail, which is a common
cause of fires. "
The scope of the report followed the definition of RVs
provided in NFPA 1192, Standard for Recreational Vehicles:
" A vehicle or slide-in camper that is primarily designed
as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or
seasonal use; has its own motive power or is mounted on
or towed by another vehicle; is regulated by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a vehicle or
vehicle equipment; does not require a special highway use
permit for operation on the highways; and can be easily
transported and set up on a daily basis by an individual. "
According to the FPRF report, smoke alarms also play an
important role when it comes to the outcome of RV fires. On
average, 20 deaths a year occurred between 2008 and 2017 in
RV fires when no smoke alarm was present, while only one
death occurred in fires in RVs equipped with working smoke
alarms.
That's why it's critical for RV owners to maintain working smoke alarms, as well as stay on top of routine vehicle
inspections and maintenance, said Doug Mulvaney, director of facilities development for Kampgrounds of America
(KOA), in a recent video produced by the FPRF. Mulvaney-
who also chairs the technical committees for NFPA 1192
and NFPA 1194, Standard for Recreational Vehicle Parks
and Campgrounds-served on the project technical panel
for the foundation report.

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5/1/21 8:34 AM

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NFPA Journal - Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - Summer 2021