MovieChat Forums > Tiny House Nation (2014) Discussion > Death Traps

Death Traps

posted 9 years ago by TravisTheSky
12 replies | jump to latest

Has anyone seen an episode where a smoke detector or fire extinguisher was installed? The show's formula for building tiny houses that are towed on trailers always includes sleeping lofts right under the roof in the top few feet of space. This is EXACTLY where smoke would rise and kill people in their sleep before they had a chance to notice a fire.

This is a huge oversight for such a 'politically correct' show. Where is the common sense?

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remember: tv is called PROGRAMMING, items of news are STORIES

[–] holchie 9 years ago

I'm pretty old, and have a lot of life experience. It has been my experience that people who strive to be politically correct are very lacking in forethought and common sense. They seem to genetically be unable to think ahead regarding any possible consequences of their politically correct actions. I am not making a joke.

[–] geotalker-1 9 years ago

'politically correct' ??? You idiots, wtf are you talking about? This show works with main builders, who are usually contractors that have experience building regular houses.
Its not an issue of political correctness, gasbag. Why in the world are you assuming that smoke and CO detectors are not installed in these houses?

[–] darkavenger77 9 years ago

'politically correct' ??? You idiots, wtf are you talking about? This show works with main builders, who are usually contractors that have experience building regular houses.
Its not an issue of political correctness, gasbag. Why in the world are you assuming that smoke and CO detectors are not installed in these houses?

I'll avoid all of the juvenile name calling and profanity and simply ask if you read the original post:

Has anyone seen an episode where a smoke detector or fire extinguisher was installed?

Can you answer the question? Have you seen a detector or fire extinguisher in any of the homes constructed? On the episodes I have watched, I have not seen either.

Joe "We're authorized" Fontana: I can do this all day, Mitch. How about you?

[–] in_dis_guise 9 years ago

Just because they haven't zoomed in on one with the camera does not mean there were none installed. It could be that they waited until after all the 'beauty shots' were done to install them, or they just weren't in frame. We don't see building inspectors either, but I'm quite certain they come through when the cameras are off to inspect the wiring.
There are public health and safety codes that must be obeyed whether you're on tv or not.

As far as the name calling is concerned, accusations like these (Ermigerd! There's no smoke detectors!) really do come off as kinda dumb, sorry. It reminds me of all the people claiming that the employees of Charm City Cakes weren't washing their hands - just because they don't show them doing it on tv.

I've been making fine jewelry for years, apparently.

[–] darkavenger77 9 years ago

We don't see building inspectors either, but I'm quite certain they come through when the cameras are off to inspect the wiring.
There are public health and safety codes that must be obeyed whether you're on tv or not.

I don't know about the codes. One of the most egregious ones I watched was a guy that parked his tiny home on a cliff on some property a friend owned. I doubt any government inspectors were involved in that one. I observed that a strong wind could blow it over the cliff, and he was just feet away from a road, so a DUI running off the road could easily polish it off as well.

IMO, the OP brings up a valid safety concern, and it is one I have not seen addressed in the several episodes I've seen.

Joe "We're authorized" Fontana: I can do this all day, Mitch. How about you?

[–] in_dis_guise 9 years ago

I just went to the shows site and looked at their picture gallery of the tiny homes they've done. I saw smoke detectors in two of the houses pictures.

Here's one of them: http://www.fyi.tv/shows/tiny-house-nation/pictures/vermont-chalet/vermont-interior
here's another:
http://cdn.history.com/sites/6/2014/07/tiny-house-light-fixture-P.jpeg
I also found this in their FAQ:

The legalities and permits are based on what state or town you live in. A lot of communities are pushing for local laws to allow more areas zoned for tiny houses, so check with your local permit office to see what is allowed. Mobile tiny homes can be moved from property to property and are easier to navigate some of the issues related with permits, etc.

As I understand it, unless it's got a foundation and is hooked up to city utilities, it's basically considered a camper.
Smoke and CO2 detectors can run off a nine volt battery and don't need to be hardwired into the house. In a space that small you'd only need one of them.

I've been making fine jewelry for years, apparently.

[–] darkavenger77 9 years ago

Thanks for the informative answer. It would be great if more replies here were like yours.

Joe "We're authorized" Fontana: I can do this all day, Mitch. How about you?

[–] adf5336 9 years ago

As I understand it, unless it's got a foundation and is hooked up to city utilities, it's basically considered a camper.

Well that explains why every tiny "house" ends up being built on a trailer. I'm more interested in seeing a tiny house built on-site, with a foundation and services, etc. I lose interest as soon as they cut to the "and this is what we've got planned" portion and show it to be a trailer.

The other message which they sort-of touch on is the "you need to get rid of all your junk" to live small. That message needs more focus.

[–] katydid579 8 years ago

These idiots totally GOT RID of their cats??? They kept the higher upkeep dawg that would have been happier in a bigger house??? I hope they find their new "home" too small for their lifestyle because obviously they have no way of making rational judgments.

[–] mmmK-Ultra 8 years ago

Dog houses are small. They seem ok with it.

[–] thesearchforbigfoot 8 years ago

These tiny houses are illegal pretty much everywhere in the US. They violate zoning laws, building codes, and laws designed to prevent people from setting up hobo shacks and shanty towns. Maybe some of these people can fly under the radar for awhile, but eventually they're going to get a knock on their door from the sheriff or code enforcement telling them their home is an illegal structure. Here's an example:

http://tinyhousegiantjourney.com/2015/10/30/tiny-house-eviction/

[–] xanderificus 8 years ago

I just watched the one last night from Season 1 with the 28-year old hippie dude who wanted to move out of his parent's house and live tiny on his brother's property. They built him the spiral staircase and so on.

While never mentioned, there was a panning camera shot that showed a smoke detector on the roof. Talking about things like this is just one of those things that just doesn't make good TV.