Gas bottle boxes

[Miker]

I've had a metal box made to the quoted spec and now have to fit the pipe for the gas drain and for the breather vent in the box. I'm taking them to the stern of the boat. Plastic skin fittings to PVC pipes would be easy to fit but are they and do they have to be 30 mins fire resistant? I did think of 22mm copper pipe but can't find any suitable skin fittings.

I would be interested to know what others have done?

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[VirgoVoyager]

I can't see any reason why there would be an advantage in the fitting or pipe being 30 min fire resistant, but perhaps I am missing something? Sounds like a sound arrangement to me!

Stuart

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[Miker]

Agreed, the Boat Safety Scheme notes tyhat I found on the WEB only say that the box itself must be fire retardant for 30 mins. It just seemed to me that if the pipes in and out were not, it would be a weakness in design. But I don't want to over complicate the task.

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[chas]

My drains are plastic - both pipes and fittings (which must come out above water level, otherwise any escaped gas will just remain in the pipe above the water). Their function is to drain gas out. If there is a fire, they have either failed or it is probably too late!

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[Miker]

I think that I agree with you both so the pipes will be plastic. I assume that the 30 mins or whatever is to give time to "get the hell out of there".

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[VirgoVoyager]

I see what you mean. I can imagine that melted pipes and flames blasting up through the hole in the box might not sound too good, but the reality is that, as long as the rest of the box remains intact while the inferno rages, very little additional heat will actually get to the gas cylinder and imminent disaster will be averted (for 30 minutes, at least!). I would definitely go for the "not complicated" solution!!

Happy plumbing

Stuart

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[AuntyRinum]

My gas drain is teed into the galley sink waste pipe which drains directly out of the boat. That would save you making a hole in the hull.

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