Is it sensible

[Mrs J Johnson]

Hello,

 

I would like opinions on wether it is considered to be sensible (and legal) to carry a spare gas bottle in the van. If so would storing it upright and secured under a bunk be the proper way to do this.

[Keith T]

Hi Mrs J J -

well we had 2 motorhomes with the gas bottles technically stored inside the van, that is the access to the bottles for turning gas on and off, and for changing the empty ones has been form inside.

They were both Autosleeper van conversions, and as far as I am aware this is still teh way ins nay smaller van conversions.

However, they were stored in proper gas lockers, and as well as the cylcinders being clipped in, the locker was ventilated downwards, and sealed from the interior living part of the van where the access point was - in our case a door under the wardrobe,

So I doubt that on a longer term basis just clipping nthme in a bed box would be acceptable.

[Guest starspirit]

I often do on long trips but I do ensure that it is not in a locker that will get unduly hot, is strapped down and has an unblocked floor vent nearby just in case.

Also ensure the bottle valve is tightly closed and the plastic cap in place.

I don't doubt others will advise against it but as long as sensible precautions are taken I see nothing wrong.

However I don't know how my insurers would react in the event of a claim - mind you there might not be a whole lot left to investigate if it all went 'pop'

[Clive]

Er --- Many of us have! I now have a bulk tank securely bolted underneath the van, previous to that I plead the fifth ammendment!

 

I guess that the formal answer has to be that any gas cylinders should be properly secured in a designated place so that any gas escape can find its way safely out of the enclsoure and that in the event of a van roll over the cylinder cannot become loose and become a free ranging missile inside the passenger compartment.

 

 

 

 

[michele]

I hold my hands up for my Hubby ,

 

We take two full bottle properly stored in the correct place OFF of course and always readily offer up the fact that we have a 6kg under the bed strapped and fitted correctly.

 

We have never been told off for this i don't know about the legalities of it but always offer the info to the officials

 

hope this helps

[sunrise89]

We have a 1990 Devon Sunrise based on a Toyota Hi-Ace and the gas bottles are stored at the rear of the van in a small cupboard under the sink with a floor vent. Funny how what was regarded as perfectly OK once upon a time is now regarded with suspicion. However, if there was a fire in the kitchen I know I would want to get out pretty darn quick!

I think is helps focus the mind on not doing things that could create a problem in the first place!

My first post on these forums. New member and enjoying it!

 

[Brian Kirby]

There is some requirement for gas lockers to carry a hazard transfer, indicating the presence of the gas bottles.  I don't know where this requirement comes from, but many 'vans now have the sticker from new.

I have assumed it is for the benefit of fire brigades, in the event of a fire or road accident, so that they can quickly identify the main explosion risk.

If this is correct, I'd suggest the spare bottle should ideally be sited in a locker with an external access door, that should also be so marked, and that the locker should have a gas drop to prevent any possible leakage accumulating. 

The bottle will not be in service, so presumably could be carried vertically or horizontally, but would need restraints at least as robust as those for the service bottles.

On second thoughts, Dave Newell should be able to supply all the technical details.  Over to you Dave!

[RoyH]

Have a look at this. Should give someone some brain exercise for a while!

http://www.bcga.co.uk/preview/publications/L12005.pdf I'm too old not enough cells left.

[Clive]

Welcome Sunrise.

 

I guess that at the first sign of any fire (other than the very minor like burnt toast) that the best place is well clear of the motorhome anyway. They are after all almost totally combustable.

 

Touching wood I hasten to add.

 

C.

 

[Mel B]

Brian Kirby - 2007-01-10 9:00 PM

The bottle will not be in service, so presumably could be carried vertically or horizontally, but would need restraints at least as robust as those for the service bottles.

Never EVER carry a gas container except in it's upright position, they are not meant to be transported on their sides and quite apart from whether or not you can keep them securely in place this is not recommended. I can't remember the exact reason why they should be kept upright but I know it has been mentioned before on the forum and in magazines.Make sure wherever you store it you have floor drop out vents near it just to be safe, and have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it. A fire in a motorhome isn't fun, a fire caused by gas is even less funny ... trust me, it's very frightening. *-)

[flicka]

Brian Kirby - 2007-01-10 9:00 PM

There is some requirement for gas lockers to carry a hazard transfer, indicating the presence of the gas bottles.  I don't know where this requirement comes from, but many 'vans now have the sticker from new.

I have assumed it is for the benefit of fire brigades, in the event of a fire or road accident, so that they can quickly identify the main explosion risk>

Brian I missed this thread and your post, whilst I was posting a new thread "Gas Bottle LockerIn an earlier thread, I made the following statement:- "respectfully I think that you will find any New Motorhome will have the necessary Hazardous Substance label on its Gas Locker door." My post could easily be taken to infer that this is a mandatory requirement. I would like to make it clear that I do not know if it is or not. Does anyone have a copy of British Standard/Euro Norm BS EN 1646-1:2004, relating to Motorhome manufacture, which should verify the requirements. (If built to this spec.) Looking through MMM, I can't find any manufacturer quoting spec this in their advertising. I regard labelling of the Gas Locker as beneficial in so much that the Emergency services would quickly be able to identify which locker contains Gas Cylinders or Tank, if necessary."Looking in MMM many of the new vans do not appear to have the Hazard Label in place.Flicka

[Dave Newell]

Hi all, I'm not sure whether a hazard label is required on the gas locker door but as has already been stated many 'vans do have it from new. Whatever the case it is certainly a good idea.

 

regulations on transport and use of LPG gas are quite complex but in both cases there is a get out clause. In the gas safety installation and use regulations there is a clause that excludes all self propelled vehicles with LPG installations unless the vehicle is hired out in the course of a business.

 

The regulations on carriage, as posted earlier in this thread, has a similar exclusion clause where cylinders are carried for personal use.

 

Gas cylinders should always be transported in an upright position and with the plastic cap/stopper firmly fitted. POL valves (thats the screw dpwn valve on your cylinder) are notorious for letting by and the screw in plastic plug is designed to hold back the full cylinder pressure (aprox 100 PSI for propane).

 

D.

[Guest peter]

Mel B. The reason gas cylinders should be stored upright is that if it was on it's side and connected to an appliace that was turned on, you would have liquid gas coming out of the jet. Not a good thing. However there is no reason I am aware of why it cannot be transported on it's side. Just don't connect it up like this.