Fitting an external barbecue bullfinch.

[Mobilvetta]

My son is gas Safe registered and I asked him to help me pipe up an external 8mm pipework to a barbeque bull Finch fitting, he has fitted a compression T fitting from the boiler gas feed and then fitted an isolation valve, which again was a compression fitting, so that the barbeque point can be isolated when not in use. He has soldiered 5 end feed elbows to run the pipe neatly under the external floor, we have used 3 metres of 8mm copper pipe in the run to the external fitting, because the van has a double floor it was easier to run the length of copper pipe under the vehicle floor and clip it up, so that it is secure, rather than try and run it inside, as we could not see any access to get inside the double floor. He has pressure tested it and there are no leaks.

I have concerns though now as I have read that you should use compression fittings throughout as soldiered joints can crack with vibration and movement that a motorhome can suffer with. Appreciate some advice on whether we should cut the soldiered joints off and fit with compression fittings Instead. I asked another Gas Safe engineer and he said it would be more likely that a compression fitting would fail with movement before a proper soldiered fitting did. Do motorhome dealers tend to fit compression fittings because they don't have the soldiering skills, or is the a safety reason for it.

 

[mistericeman]

From the NCASS regulations

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw0UlyeEjxg5QtB5jI9_L2TH&cshid=1556792538055

(about the only regs/guidance that seems to cover LPG) ...



Soft soldered is fine (within certain temp levels) however if installed underneath 'Should' have some mechanical protection AND be adequately supported.

 

[Nabsim]

There aren’t any regs covering a motorhome that’s personal use but that posted above us sensible advice. Really needed the copper putting inside some plastic pipe but you can still cover it over with plastic waste pipe or similar cut in half then fixed over the copper runs. It’s only to stop objects hitting and piercing the copper.

 

[Mobilvetta]

There aren’t any regs covering a motorhome that’s personal use but that posted above us sensible advice. Really needed the copper putting inside some plastic pipe but you can still cover it over with plastic waste pipe or similar cut in half then fixed over the copper runs. It’s only to stop objects hitting and piercing the copper.

I agree I have got some rubber pipe that I intend to cut to get it on and cable tie it, I'm just waiting for some better clips been delivered as I wasn't happy with the ordinary plastic clips that are screwed on as they can become brittle.

 

[Channa]

I agree I have got some rubber pipe that I intend to cut to get it on and cable tie it, I'm just waiting for some better clips been delivered as I wasn't happy with the ordinary plastic clips that are screwed on as they can become brittle.

On no account should plastic sleeving be attached to the copper pipes , It remains as gas it draws heat through the pipe wall same with a bottle insulating means it cant draw heat and reverts back to a liquid

Joints are ok brazed but compression fittings are preferred, there should also be a drop out too at the joint

the nCASS guide is inappropriate caravans comply with EN1949 also regulators should comply with BSEn12864 not all together the end of the world b5ut if you are wanting to work to current standard

Whether you do any of this or not is down to you I am just telling you the standards

Channa

 

[witzend]

If he was happy with it leave well alone. Pity with 8mm pipe he fitted the elbows at all that pipe should have been easy enough to bend

 

[n brown]

sounds fine - we all have our preferred way of doing things, can't see much wrong with this installation. but like any gas set-up,once or twice a year , give every joint a squirt of leak detector spray just for peace of mind

 

[Mobilvetta]

On no account should plastic sleeving be attached to the copper pipes , It remains as gas it draws heat through the pipe wall same with a bottle insulating means it cant draw heat and reverts back to a liquid

Joints are ok brazed but compression fittings are preferred, there should also be a drop out too at the joint

the nCASS guide is inappropriate caravans comply with EN1949 also regulators should comply with BSEn12864 not all together the end of the world b5ut if you are wanting to work to current standard

Whether you do any of this or not is down to you I am just telling you the standards

Channa

Thanks for the advice, I don't understand what a drop out is at a joint, could you please educate me on this, also with the bare copper pipe fastened underneath the van, would you advise to leave it unprotected or do you have a suggestion of what to use to cover it up to stop any stone chips etc damaging it, as it seems my original idea of putting a rubber pipe around it is a no no. Regards.

 

[Channa]

Un protected for the reasons I explained, would have been better to run down a chassis rail if vulnerable

Where pipes join with LPG there should be a drop out which is a vent. If the joint should leak it gives somewhere for the gas to leave the van as lPG is heavier than air

Channa

 

[n brown]

if you think of gas as a liquid , then any leak could lead to a pool forming . if the leak is inside a vehicle - , this would create a fire/explosion risk , hence the need for drop-out holes in the floor below gas joints, to allow the leaked gas to escape .

 

[Mobilvetta]

Un protected for the reasons I explained, would have been better to run down a chassis rail if vulnerable

Where pipes join with LPG there should be a drop out which is a vent. If the joint should leak it gives somewhere for the gas to leave the van as lPG is heavier than air

Channa

Now I understand about the vent, because he fitted a compression T piece off the pipe that feeds the boiler there is already a vent there, so if there was a leak it will escape to outside, the other joints are outside, so no problem with them. It is going in for its habitation check soon, so it will be interesting to see if they mention anything about this latest install. I will switch the valve off on the barbecue bullfinch when we are not using it, but my son is fully confident with his soldering skills, given that he is old school and prefers to use copper as opposed to plastic pipe and soldiers every day of the week. He will not use Yorkshire fittings, prefers to use flux and soldier and make his own joints and claims he has never had one leak yet, so fingers crossed.