gas lockers

[campervanannie]

I have tried googling the legal requirements of having a gas bottle in a camper and it's to confusing does anyone know the LEGAL requirements I am well aware of the sensible ones like a CM detector what I wanted to know is does it need to be in a locker sealed or will a cupboard do does it need to be vented outside I not against cutting holes in the van but I will need to pay someone to do that.

 

[horshamjack]

I have tried googling the legal requirements of having a gas bottle in a camper and it's to confusing does anyone know the LEGAL requirements I am well aware of the sensible ones like a CM detector what I wanted to know is does it need to be in a locker sealed or will a cupboard do does it need to be vented outside I not against cutting holes in the van but I will need to pay someone to do that.

Most gas lockers are sealed with vents to the bottom

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Gas Locker

It may not be quite a legal requirement but it is a code of practice. In the event so an accident and subsequent insurance claim you could find your insurance void.
An internal cupboard sealed to the interior but vented through the floor would be OK you could manage this with a hole saw and electric drill make sure you put a baffle over the hole underneath the van to stop road water splashes coming through. Hole Saws are cheap or I could loan you one check for wires or pipes under the floor before you drill though.

Alf

I have tried googling the legal requirements of having a gas bottle in a camper and it's to confusing does anyone know the LEGAL requirements I am well aware of the sensible ones like a CM detector what I wanted to know is does it need to be in a locker sealed or will a cupboard do does it need to be vented outside I not against cutting holes in the van but I will need to pay someone to do that.

 

[mark61]

The general rule is to have a sealed locker and a vent. I didn't, at first with the intention of doing it, now I have no intention of doing it.
If my gas bottle was in a sealed locker I'd vent it, but it's not, so I won't.

 

[molly 2]

Not sure. If its a legal requirement but mine has a metal lining in the locker .

 

[John H]

This is not an area that I know anything about but I would have thought that a major concern is what your insurance policy says. In the event of an accident, you want to know that they will pay out. I'd check the policy and/or have a word with them.

 

[Val54]

If you take the vented cupboard option make sure that the hole is not only baffled against water ingress, but has a metal grill to keep out those pesky rodents....
Dave

 

[Deleted member 13867]

Its probably best to copy a commercially made van a sealed (from the interior) housing for the gas bottle which is accessible from outside or through a sealed door on the inside and drop vents of adequate cross sectional area. and the gas bottle should be restrained by adequate means.
Insurance companies will not have a clue as to the requirements I once asked if my solar panel was covered and they had never heard of a solar panel and asked what it did!. Do bear in mind that despite all the wonderful adverts on the TV Insurance companies will try every trick they can to get out of paying a claim so don't assist them by getting it wrong.
Dave

 

[John H]

nsurance companies will not have a clue as to the requirements I once asked if my solar panel was covered and they had never heard of a solar panel and asked what it did!. Do bear in mind that despite all the wonderful adverts on the TV Insurance companies will try every trick they can to get out of paying a claim so don't assist them by getting it wrong.
Dave

True - I wasn't suggesting that the Insurance company would know the legal requirements but that the OP should find out what the Insurance Company would be willing to pay out for. It may be, for example, that they will not cover any conversion that is not done by a recognised professional.

 

[rugbyken]

The vent should be to the bottom because LPG is heavier than air and it will pool at the lowest point which is of course why they are particular about isolating the gas supply on the tunnel,
Other than that the only spec in my old gas books is that it must be lockable with removable key???

 

[campervanannie]

thanks for replies

You see it's a very strange thing because if I was camping in a tent all my gear including gas would be transported in the car no special requirements on my car policy camping gear is not mentioned I have been through my van policy and gas is not mentioned. So it's all a bit wooley as you say until you claim yet I dont want to bring it to their attentionby asking them and then I have to start jumping through hoops.

 

[John H]

You see it's a very strange thing because if I was camping in a tent all my gear including gas would be transported in the car no special requirements on my car policy camping gear is not mentioned I have been through my van policy and gas is not mentioned. So it's all a bit wooley as you say until you claim yet I dont want to bring it to their attentionby asking them and then I have to start jumping through hoops.

I can see what you mean but on the other hand, do you want to give them a get out if things go wrong? I'd be inclined to ask them first what they would cover - ie force them to give you some kind of positive answer. It may mean that you have to employ an expensive professional but if your van catches fire at some future date you have got their original response to throw back at them.

 

[orisson]

Any thoughts on having the bottle in an external cage/box on one of the rear doors?

 

[n brown]

metal lining is pretty pointless,best practice seems to be to have a lip,like a bit of batten,at the front of the cupboard to catch any leaked gas,a a 40mm hole in the floor to let it out. and a strap to hold the bottle . as far as i know there are no laws covering gas in self builds

 

[campervanannie]

food for thought

Any thoughts on having the bottle in an external cage/box on one of the rear doors?

We only carry 2 small 907 size calorgas at the moment I have built the layout so the bottles are in a cupboard that I have built by the rear wheelarch then I read about vents and started to rethink where to put them.

 

[oldish hippy]

though 9o7 where gaz not calor bottles iihave two 6kg bottle in my van the cupboard isnt airtight ok have hole in floor and a lip on cupboard but they are internal and that is a factory conversion not self build if you can put them in the rear near the door so you dont have to lug them through the van when changing them it will make it easier mine are in middle of van good fun when changing them lol

 

[mark61]

My view only, but I see a vent as being important when bottles are in a sealed locker. There is always seepage from gas bottle, very very slow. These lockers may not be opened for many months perhaps years.
In an open cupboard I don't see the point.

 

[campervanannie]

though 9o7 where gaz not calor bottles iihave two 6kg bottle in my van the cupboard isnt airtight ok have hole in floor and a lip on cupboard but they are internal and that is a factory conversion not self build

Yes you are correct Hippy they are blue camping gaz bottles mm then I think I may leave them where they are and just vent the floor but I may still check with my insurance

 

[snowbirds]

Hi Campervanannie,

On both my Classic Dormobiles 1973/74 Commer and Bedford Cf had a hatch in the floor and sat in a metal cage in an aluminium sleeve underneath,this seemed to be common in all their vans that came out of the factory also saves on inside space.But they were Camping Gaz bottles.

Regards Snowbirds.:wave::wave:

You see it's a very strange thing because if I was camping in a tent all my gear including gas would be transported in the car no special requirements on my car policy camping gear is not mentioned I have been through my van policy and gas is not mentioned. So it's all a bit wooley as you say until you claim yet I dont want to bring it to their attentionby asking them and then I have to start jumping through hoops.

 

[witzend]

Try this site will be of some help check #9 your not alone with gas questions although looks like you need it tested by registered eng when completed

Campervan regulations | CampervanConversion.co.uk