Enhancing RV safety with roof vents for venting dangerous gases and fumes

Roof vents are an essential feature of your RV to keep things fresh, dry and comfortable but have you also considered how RV roof vents enhance safety by venting dangerous gases and fumes? There are quite a few different types of roof vents on the market that target air quality in many ways. Let’s explore the options available and find the perfect match for your RV.

Keeping things fresh

Allowing fresh air to enter your RV while expelling stale air, your roof vents offer many additional benefits such as controlling damp or humid conditions, internal temperature moderating and also removing any buildup of gas or fumes that may have occurred within the cabin from cooking or stored fuel canisters. Most RVs come with roof vents pre-installed. These are typically located in the bathroom and kitchen areas, however, there are options to install more vents or replace your existing ones with superior models so you can experience how RV roof vents enhance safety by venting dangerous gases and fumes in a far more efficient manner.

Manual or Electric

Your first consideration is whether you would like a manual crank or an electric crank for your RV roof vents. There are pros and cons for both, however, an electric crank offers the convenience of operation from a keypad and typically will include a 12v extractor fan pulling all that stale air out while bringing fresh air in. A manual crank requires you to reach up and push the vent open when you wish to have some ventilation. Most often a manual vent consists of a screen and crank that is simple to operate, however, it does not incorporate a fan. This option can be limited in the level of ventilation it provides which, on a very still day, will not be much at all.

Ridge vents and off-ridge vents

RV vents are designed to be installed in the roof area, and both ridge vents and off-ridge vents are suitable for this purpose. It may be that you have a particular area internally that you would like a higher extraction rate from, such as the toilet or above your cooking area, and these would typically have an off-ridge vent installed to provide a more direct impact on air quality in that area. Ridge vents are installed along the middle of the roof offering a more generalised ventilation for the entire cabin area.

Box (louvre) vents

Box vents, also known as louvre vents, are of solid construction with no moving parts. They are installed protruding up from the roof and allow airflow by natural means. As they rely on a breeze to promote airflow, they can be somewhat limited in their ability to ventilate and if you are considering how RV roof vents enhance safety by venting dangerous gases and fumes and would like to install vents for this purpose, they may not be an ideal option. The benefits of box vents include being easy to install and low maintenance. Another benefit is that they do not require opening or closing as they are static units, that you simply install and forget.

Attic Vents

Attic vents are the most common style of ventilation you will find in an RV. The fan component is fitted within the roof and then a vent roof cover is installed, protecting your vent from the elements. A decorative feature is usually fitted inside the cover to improve the internal aesthetic of your vent. Attic vents can be hard-wired or run off a 12v battery with options such as varying fan speeds, reversible airflow and even rain detection, so you are not at risk of accidentally leaving your vent open during inclement weather. As with all things that involve moving parts, maintenance is required on an attic vent, however, the efficiency of this type of vent makes it one of the most attractive options.

Alternative roof vents

Although technically you could install any type of roof vent in your RV, the practicality of other vents, such as the whirlybird which works fantastically on a building, does not necessarily mean they are suited to the RV environment. RV vents are required to withstand the elements at high speed while on the road and provide ventilation when in a windless environment. Box vents and attic vents are the most common vent types you will find in an RV, and they come in standard sizes which makes them easy to replace or repair as and when required.

Repairs and replacements

Usually, RV vents are a standard 14 x 14 inch or in some cases 14 x 28 inch. These refer to the opening sizes in your roof that your vents will fit into. When using standard vent sizes, finding a part or a new vent that fits is an easy task, particularly when teaming with a reputable parts provider such as RV Parts Express. You may be upgrading or simply replacing items that have been affected by the weather, such as the vent cover which is one of the more commonly replaced items, due to their constant exposure to the elements. A provider such as RV Parts Express will have all your maintenance and parts requirements available as and when you need them.

Inclement Weather

A correctly fitted RV roof vent will be leak-free and withstand inclement weather. All-weather covers are a great accessory to allow continued airflow without rain or debris entering the cabin of your vehicle. Alternatively, you could close the vent if you encounter extreme weather, however, remember this also means you will have closed off the airflow that was allowing for fumes to exit and fresh air to enter so in times when it is not practical to have your vent open, it is advisable to not use your kitchen or undertake activities that expel contaminants into the air.

Fitting your RV roof vent

As most vents are of a standard size, replacing your current vent is quite an easy maintenance task. Firstly, you need to remove the garnish, which is the cover inside your RV on the ceiling. Everything else takes place on the roof. After scraping away the old sealant and removing the old vent, it is a matter of cleaning the opening in your roof properly to free it of any old adhesive or debris and then your new vent simply slides right in. Follow the instructions on the packaging for how to affix your RV vent properly to ensure it operates as expected and has a watertight seal. Once you are finished all you need to do is replace the garnish and try it out!

All things safety

We have covered a few topics to understand the different vents and how they work but let’s get back to the topic at hand, being how RV roof vents enhance safety by venting dangerous gases and fumes. Your cleaning products, fuel canisters, aerosols and a wide variety of other products emit fumes and gasses into the environment. When living in an enclosed space such as an RV, these fumes can rise to toxic levels if they can't dissipate. This is why efficient ventilation is essential in your RV. You can also counteract any potentially damaging mould growth by the air being kept fresh and drier in humid conditions, and the temperature is also moderated making for a more comfortable environment, particularly in extreme heat. All of these contribute to how your roof vent enhances your safety.

Why ventilation is important

We have touched on a few of the safety reasons why ventilation is important, however, there are a wide variety of health reasons as well. Increased allergen levels can make any existing respiratory issues or allergies worse. Carbon monoxide can gradually increase with side effects from headaches to fatigue being experienced. Ensuring you have sufficient ventilation will keep your RV both safe and healthy by providing a constant stream of fresh air while pushing out the old air.

Correct venting experiences

There are many stories that could be shared about ventilation and how it has saved lives. Accidentally leaving the gas on in a confined space could have disastrous consequences, just as overheating while asleep due to rising internal temperatures that could seriously impact your health are just two examples of poor ventilation creating a toxic environment. Correct and effective ventilation can prevent you or your family from suffering from such avoidable mishaps if the air in your RV is constantly being refreshed while you are relaxing inside.

Legislative requirements

In accordance with Australian vehicle standards, it is a requirement for an RV to be fitted with ventilation in addition to its existing doors and windows. This is why every RV will be supplied with roof vents already fitted as a matter of course, however, sometimes the manufacturer’s chosen vents may not quite suit your needs, or perhaps they have served you well and need replacing or repair. This is the time to take action, as it is important to keep up with the maintenance needs of your vents to make sure they are always operational so you can be confident your vehicle complies and is in as safe a condition as possible.

The roof vents on your RV not only enhance your comfort but will also keep you and your family safe and your vehicle in compliance. Contact RV Parts Express today to view their comprehensive range and find the roof vent that best suits your needs.