Gas Regulations in Vans

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by BaG hEaD, Apr 9, 2013.

  1. Gas - Rules and Regulations



    Europe

    Each country throughout Europe has its own supplier of gas bottles, each with its own adapter and regulator. People who regularly spend long periods of time in different countries often have a different gas bottle for each country. Campingaz is available throughout Europe, but only comes in small bottles, which is OK for single travelers or short trips, but not cost effective for others.
    Tips

    1. Keep a small portable gas stove in the van.
      If you main gas bottle runs out you can use the stove to complete your cooking, boiling water etc. It's also useful for cooking outside or down by the beach. The type that lie-flat are more stable than the old traditional stand-up type, although refills are harder to find for the former type.
    The Law

    UK

    In the UK vehicles being used for work purposes have to show stickers indicating the vehicle is carrying compressed gas. If the vehicle is not being used for work, i.e. a camper van, you do NOT have to show the stickers.
    However, it is considered good practice to have the stickers if you are carrying compressed gas. The fire brigade find great benefit in seeing the sticker if there should be a road accident, as it helps them contain the incident more quickly. But, only show the sticker when you are carrying gas, otherwise the fire brigade will be miss lead.
    Note: If you are showing the gas sticker on your vehicle, expect to get stopped occasionally by the police when they check how you gas is stored.
    In the UK:
    • a vehicle is permitted to carry a maximum of 2 x 10 liter bottles of compressed gas, unless the vehicle is ventilated with a rotating rooftop device, then the limit is higher.
    • Flammable gas MUST be carried upright at all times.
    • Warning diamonds must also be displayed, if for reward. Green for High Pressure, Red for Flammable.
    BS EN 1949:2002 Installation of LPG Systems – Specification for the installation of LPG systems for habitation purposes in leisure accommodation vehicles and in other road vehicles

    I have summarised some of the main bits of BS EN 1949 below:

    2. Cylinder Compartment

    2.1 Requirements for the construction of the compartment

    With the exception of 2.3 below, cylinder compartments shall be sealed from the inside living accommodation part of the vehicle and shall be accessible from the outside of the vehicle only.

    LPG cylinder must be positioned away from heat sources (exhaust system) as described in 2.4 below.

    The compartment must be designed so that cylinders can be secured rigidly (to prevent cylinder movement when the vehicle is in motion) and in the upright position with the valve uppermost (to ensure only gas [vapour] can be drawn from the cylinder and not liquid LPG). There must be means of securing cylinder/s at both high and low level.

    Access to any connections, changeover valves and pressure regulators must not be obstructed.

    Replacement of cylinders must be possible without disturbing any installations or ancillary equipment.

    Devices to secure cylinders in position must be able to be opened and closed without the use of tools.

    No appliances, components or fittings shall be installed in the cylinder compartment that can cause damage the LPG installation or ignite escaping gas. (E.g. batteries or uninsulated electrical components etc.)


    2.2 Cylinder compartments accessible from outside the vehicle

    Cylinder compartments must be permanently ventilated to the exterior of the vehicle.

    If the ventilation is provided only at low level, the ventilated area must be 2% of the compartments floor area, with a minimum of 10,000mm2. (E.g.100mm X 100mm). If the ventilation is provided at both high and low level the ventilated area must be 1% of the floor area, with a minimum of 5,000 mm2 (50mm X 50mm).

    It shall not be possible for the cylinder/s to obstruct the ventilation area.


    2.3 Cylinder compartments accessible from inside the vehicle

    For motor caravans where penetration of a type approved base vehicles bodywork would be required to provide external access, internal access to the cylinder compartment would be permitted providing the following conditions are meet:

    The compartment can contain a maximum of two cylinders each having a capacity of not more than 16kg.

    Access to the cylinder compartment from the inside living accommodation part of the vehicle is only provided via an attached sealed door or hatch. The bottom of such a door or hatch must be a minimum of 50mm above the floor level of the cylinder compartment.

    If the cylinder compartment accessible only from inside of the vehicle cannot be ventilated similarly to that referred to in 2.2 above, the following alternative arrangements must be made:

    Ventilation may be provided by a single duct providing the following measures are taken:

    Only one cylinder may be installed with a maximum of 7 kg.

    The duct shall have a minimum diameter of 20 mm.

    The maximum length of the duct shall not exceed 5 times the internal diameter of the duct, but may be extended to 10 times the internal duct diameter to avoid interference with under-floor flue outlets.

    The duct shall be at low level in the floor and resistant to LPG.

    The duct shall fall throughout its entire length to the outside of the vehicle.

    Disclaimer
    The above information was lifted direct from the brilliant website www.campervanlife.com and was correct at the time of writing. But please check for yourself that the information is correct before acting on any such advice.
     
    VWStratts, Merlin Cat, Omias and 6 others like this.
  2. Cheers for putting this up dude:thumbsup:

    Ive always fancied one of those sealed gas lockers they have on the aussie busses for my bus
     
  3. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    i wonder how many people adhere to these "rules" i don't know anyone who has their bottle in a gas tight cupboard, indeed with limited space most people cram it into a highly inapropriate place..... i have mine in a cupboard under the sink - it's secure and has no danger of rubbing on anything that would chaff the pipes etc and i have a drop out hole - but that's as far as it goes.
     
  4. You'd be a fool if you don't follow the regs..

    If you are sleeping in a van that has a gas leak, that can fill the van with gas, you will not notice it... You may say that you can smell the gas, as it slowly fills the van you won't realise...

    You will realise when you wake in the morning, and turn on the hob for a brew... BANG..



    Even a small Canister / cylinder will make a Bang, it takes less than 5% gas to 95% air to make an explosive combination
     
  5. We had a chap at weekend with a faulty cooker who managed to fill his van with gas:eek:
     
  6. Really, Spring Camp ? Lucky chap... Bet his standard vehicle insurance company wouldn't have paid out if it went pop...
     
    paradox likes this.
  7. It was a new member (top bloke may i add)
    He had bought a new cooker and not had time to use it before the weekend
    The valve that shuts off the gas to the grill was not fully closed when the knob was turned fully closed
    He used the cooker then shut his sliding door and went to lie down for a min as you do

    Very lucky his van didnt explode with him inside it and damage the other vans around it

    A secure gas locker and drop vent wouldent have helped in this but i wouldent want a van full of gas leaking from before the regulator for any period of time
     

  8. Wow, If it was DIY job then it's a lesson to be learned, and a serious note to use professional engineers, who can certify their work..

    Or if it was a professional job, perhaps Gas Safe should hear about the occasion?
     
  9. It was diy and im pretty sure hes going to be having sharp words with the manafacturer of the cooker

    Could of been worse but it wasent thankfully
     

  10. In that case the manufacturer would not be to blame if anyone was hurt, they would be disclaimed as there installation instructions would state something like " This appliance must only be installed by a competent person" and the law states that "competent" means qualified to do so...

    If the relatives can't provide a certificate and Gas Safe have no knowledge of the work (all gas works must be notified by engineers to Gas safe) then it proves that it wasn't fitted by a competent engineer... No payout from insurance to anyone or others effected... Unless a public liability was held, then maybe there's a case
     
  11. mines in a vented compartment with a door that fits flush plus it has an adjustable strap to keep it secure when traveling to prevent wear on the pipes ,I always shut it off at the bottle after cooking as well :)
     
    paradox likes this.
  12. Thats probably correct and all this is good to make people aware
    Theres been a lot of talk about good petrol hoses and clamps so surely we should pay as much attention to the gas lines,clamps etc in our vans?
     
    Popsy and Merlin Cat like this.
  13. Im also one for turning the bottle off after ive finished cooking
    However when the gas runs the fridge or heater you need to leave the bottle turned on

    Securing strap and drop vent are essential in my eyes
     
    Popsy likes this.
  14. I'm too mean to run the fridge on gas :)
     
    Popsy likes this.
  15. Rented properties have to have an annual gas inspection and certificate. System is tested for leaks and correct operation of flues etc
    I think it's sensible to do the same for your van, particularly if you additional appliances over and above a cooker. I always turn off the tap on the bottle when I have finished cooking, but if you have a propex or fridge in use you cant do this.
     
  16. The way I read it, is that the cooker was actually faulty. As in, the valve that turns the gas off at the cooker didn't turn off even though the knob was turned to the off position.
     
    Popsy likes this.
  17. Thats they way I read it too, if it was installed by a gas safe engineer testing the appliance would have been included in the installation. It could have taken a knock in transit for delivery, or it could have been a manufacturing fault. either way the manufacturer has a possible get out of liability because it was not professionally installed
     
  18. ok, so where do i get the sticker? :)
     
  19. Tuesday wildchild

    Tuesday wildchild I'm a circle!

    To cope wit the different gas regulators I purchased an adapter so we leave the color gas reg on and just fit the adaptor on the camping gas bottle and then city the color reg to that.
     
  20. Interesting reading the regs .... Might get mine looked over at the local lurid home place as I think they do installs etc too.

    Mine is under the seat next to the wardrobe (westy interior), strapped in with vent in the floor.
     

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