Gas Locker

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I suspect this is going to be a problem area for everyone. However safe you believe your current system and practices insurance companies are starting to get very jumpy about gas installation. In the very near future I believe everyone will have to get a gas safety certificate if gas is installed, I have heard this from three seperate insurance underwriters.

I believe this is why PBO has just printed an article, probably sensible for everyone now to start investigating and checking their systems comply. If you have a fire/explosion in an anchorage and you did not comply I expect the implications might be serious for liability; not just for an insurance claim.

Also, as I am in the process of sorting out and getting Top Cat up to regulation, I can see the need for this, the regulations are actually quite legible, sensible and as I am finding not really that difficult to apply. A lot is common sense, the list is quite daunting at first glance, but once you make a start it comes together quite well.

On the socal site there is a very usefull word document checklist have a read and see what you do/don't comply with >>>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.socal.co.uk/bluewater/checklist.doc>http://www.socal.co.uk/bluewater/checklist.doc</A>

<font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ukstaffords.com>http://www.ukstaffords.com</A>

 

[Miker]

Interesting. The BSS guide says:
"If there's only a single cooking appliance installed on your boat, flexible hose
can be used to connect it directly to the low pressure regulator. As flexible hose
can and will deteriorate in time, its use must be kept to a minimum and its
individual length should not exceed 1m (3ft 3ins)".
This is my case but I'm still inclined to install copper pipe and an on/off tap at the cooker end. And a bubbler device. My reasoning is that gas is still dangerous whether coming from a camping Gaz bottle to a two ring hob, or in an all singing all dancing set up.

 

[ccscott49]

In Spain, if you want to buy a gas cylinder, from repsol, they must inspect your system first. My boat complies anyway, but I just bought an old cylinder at a flea market, the reason, they charge you for the inspection!!
I still say, for a two foot supply line, adding through bulkhead fittings and copper pipe, I see no less than eight connections, if a tap is used, I think thats putting more chances of leaks, into what is a simple system. If you are worried about chafe through the hole, put a piece of large diameter split rubber armoured pipe around the gas pipe, this will stop that problem.

 

[Miker]

Thanks. I do not intend to cut the gas pipe unnecessarily and intend to feed it through the bulkheads as you describe.

 

[ccscott49]

My pleasure, old chap.