Gas Regulations in Vans

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

  1. wise words baghead...thanks for posting you're technicle advice
     
  2. PIE

    PIE

    While it is advisable to stick to the regs Im pretty sure they are for brand new unregistered conversions and vehicles used for hire?
    Although I think they are pushing to make them all encompassing in the future.
     
    pkrboo likes this.
  3. my t25 in France has to go through a strict test before I could register it ,all pipe work had to be dated ,new vents added ,extinguisher etc in England there was no need...

    I like safe...but it cost a packet...:thumbsup:
     
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  4. I've just bought a super viking and the gas bottle is in the engine bay- I've read a few things that say it was standard but I'm not happy about it! It's going to be a rental van so I'm going to get it all sorted out and properly checked over, gassing / exploding my customers might not be a good business move.
     
    mgbman and Merlin Cat like this.
  5. Believe it or not....gas cylinders are pretty bomb proof, unless they leak. The engine bay would never get hot enough to cause a standard calor bottle to explode, unless there was a serious fire, for a prolonged period of time. Having said that, people's perceptions of what is dangerous, doesn't always tally with reality. If you were that concerned about driver/passenger safety, you wouldn't choose to drive a VW Type 2

    The same can be said for outboard LPG tanks....if you were to have a serious crash in a Type 2, chances are an outboard LPG tank would be the only piece of kit that remained unscathed..
     
    Lasty likes this.
  6. I have recently fitted a 20lt gas tank to my van and sealed the pipes within tubes so if the pressure relief valve blows it vents external to the van. I bought the whole package from Gasit in north wales. They have been brilliant throughout and the owner, a guy called Nick actually wrote the latest regs for it . It is called code of practice 306 and is for fixed LPG tanks in habitable vehicles. Easily accessible on the internet. If anybody needs clarification they can call Gasit and ask to speak to Nick he is very helpful :)
    [​IMG]

    I have just looked and it appears that it is not so easy to get free on line! If anybody wants the complete code of practice PM me and I can email it to you, alternatively if somebody else knows how to post it up let me know I will email it to you :)
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2014
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  7. PIE

    PIE

    Like that, I wonder if it would fit between the chassis rails underneath on the off side:thinking:
     
  8. All depends if you have lowered your van!!
    You need 250 mm clearance! :)
     
  9. Hi i am a gas engineer although i can only work with natural gas ie the stuff with a meter pumped into your home, campers are are LPG and LPG has a whole different set rules and regulations so make sure you get a gas safe registered engineer with LPG qualifications

    Jimbo
     
    Lasty and Merlin Cat like this.
  10. Just completed the assessment for working with LPG on Leisure Accomodation Vehicles (LAV)
    Got to wait for Gas Safe Register to be updated, then I can test Installs in vans
     
    PanZer, pkrboo, Lasty and 2 others like this.
  11. That's very interesting. I'm still looking for someone to fit up my smev. I'm not going to do it myself.
     
  12. If it's any help to any owners local I'm gas safe for motorhomes etc and more than happy to take a look or talk about anything your concerned about. The main thing is be sensible!
     
    77 Westy likes this.
  13. Thanks to Bag Head for this article. I have just replaced the aging double hob / grill in our 76 Westy with an equivalent Thetfotd unit. I also replaced the two sections of flexible hose with new high pressure hose and new jubilee clips, as the existing ones had perished. Also replaced the regulator.

    Regarding the gas storage cupboard, this has two built in compartments for two medium sized cylinders that are both well vented to the outside underneath the van. The compartments are sunken, into and thus sit lower than the floor level, and can be seen from outside the van. However, the cupboard in which the compartments are housed is not gas tight. The top of the cupboard is a removeable bench seat, and which provides the main means of access to the cylinders and the regulator. The cylinders are secured within the compartments.

    The main issue I can see when comparing my set up against the regs is that the cupboard is not air tight. Is this really necessary, as any gas that does leak will pass out of the vents rather than rise up and into the van? Are their any suitable containers available off the shelf that can be retrofitted?

    Does anyone know a suitably qualified engineer who can come an inspect my van, we're located in Norfolk near Dereham.

    Cheers

    Rob
     
  14. Can you put a rubber seal on the removable seat? Yes it needs to be sealed for a safety certificate it would fail a smoke test.if you where local I'd give you a hand!
     
  15. There is already a hard rubber trim/seal that runs around the bottom the seat that goes on top of the gas bottle cupboard, sitting within a recess, but I very much doubt it would be air tight!

    I had a caravan service guy check out the install of my new Thetford cooker hob/grill unit and he did a pressure drop test. It passed with flying colours, and he gave me a certificate. I asked about whether the cupboard should be sealed and he said the regs weren't clear in respect of old campers. I wasn't overly comfortable with that but didn't pursue further.
     
  16. Putting some foam tape around the recess could help. And a gas alarm is always a good bet.

    And as for regs about old campers, did he think gas leaks differently on an old van?:plol
     
    PanZer likes this.
  17. If its fills the van i don't think you'll wake..
     
  18. do you mean there is meant to be 250mm clearance between the bottom of the bottle and the ground?
     
  19. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    IIRC, they are the regs if fitting LPG tanks for propulsion.
    When this topic last came up, there was nothing specific relating to leisure gas tanks, presumably because most are fitted into a vented gas locker.
    It would be interesting to get clarification regarding underslung leisure tanks and to know if the regs apply...it'd make a lot of older vehicles non-compliant if the regs apply retrospectively....:thinking:
     
  20. just found a bit on the R67 regs and it needs to be 200mm above the floor when installed. i may need to change to an internal tank, we'll talk this weekend
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.

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