gas bottle locker

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Guest

Guest
On my boat's recent survey, the main item for attention was the gas bottle locker with inadequate fire proofing. Looking back at the last owner's survey 5 years ago, again problems with the locker which he put right,but the regs have changed.
Rather than amend the locker to comply and run the risk of more changes in the future, it seems to me that it would be better to mount the bottle on the transom in a stainless container like you see on mcriusers for fenders. Any ideas for or against & are these containers available ready made?
Many thanks Spits
 
Where is your locker? as long as it is above the waterline and has adequate drains overboard in case of gas leakage (LPG is heavier than air), it is normally all right. Mine, for instance, drained into the cockpit. The cockpit drains are below the waterline so any escaped gas would not have drained overboard. I fitted a drain from the locker straight overboard an everybody was happy. there was no mention of fireproofing, though.
 
If you're intending to use the boat on any UK Inland Waterways you may find that a gas bottle in an exposed position where it can be hit is also considered inadmissable.

Mind you, with a quick release system, you could always jettison it overboard and clear the waters with your impromptu fireship.
 
That's a bit of a mild description isn't it Byron? You should be able to do better than that!
 
Thanks yr replies. to clarify, the gas bottle locker drains ok , but is not fire resistant for a period of 30 mins,. I must either have a steel locker or increase the thickness of locker walls. The survey was conducted by the same surveyor as before, so I guess the regs have changed.
Thanks all
 
In medical parlance, I'd suggest you get a second opinion. I had a survey in October and there was no mention of fireproofing my 'standard' GRP, draining overboard gas locker. Furthermore, the HSE website reports that the Highly Flammable Liguids and LPG Regulations 1972 (I guess these are the relevant regs) are under review. I can't find any other relevant new regulations.
 
Who believes that a locker in a boat, holding a LPG bottle will withstand 30 mins of fire around it and NOT go bang ???? I sure don't believe it unless it has incredible insulation and 'firewall' ...... When a GRP boat burns - it is intense .... something that will most likely cause a bottle to go BANG long before it actually is 'fired'.

So self draining locker, in as safe a position as you can get.
 
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