Gas pipe

tugboat

tugboat

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I need to completely replace my gas system and I'm looking at suppliers/prices. The Calor Marine Shop gas pipe is to BS EN12735 and presumably they know what they're talking about. There is another outfit www.bes.co.uk whose pipe is cheaper but is to BS EN12449 though they say it is for water and gas installations. In my ignorance I would err towards the Calor shop but can anyone tell me why the cheaper stuff would be a bad choice? What is the significance of the different BS numbers? My Googling says that 12449 is for general purposes, whereas 12735 is for aircon and refrigeration. Neither standard mentions gas or LPG usage.
 
On the BES web site the pipe at the top of the page is to the new EN 1057 standard as required by the Boat Safety Scheme but the smallest is 10mm OD.

When I completely changed my system I bought pipe from my local Plumb Centre which was to the old BS 2871 specification. It was about £8 for 10 metres. Go to your local plumbing outlet on an industrial estate and they will probably have what you want.

Apart from the pipe I bought other items from the Calor Marine shop because when I telephoned them they were very helpful choosing the right adapters and fittings that I needed. Their pipe is expensive though!

Edit: I see on the Calor Marine web site that they have plastic coated pipe to BS2871 (at the bottom of the page) and that is very expensive.
 
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As far as i can see pipe to BS EN 12735 for refrigeration and air conditioning is cleaned, nitrogen filled and capped.
I cannot see that standard is required for an LPG system.

BS EN 12449 is the standard for general engineering use. I cannot think of any reason why that will not be perfectly satisfactory.

Although the Boat Safety Scheme http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap7.pdf refers to quite a number of standards I see no reference to standards for the copper pipe but you do need annealed tube.

Go with the cheaper of the two.

You will find BES cheaper than Calor for most, but not all, of the items you will require. We have been assured of the quality of the materials and fittings they supply.


Just final thought your local independent plumber's merchant may be able to supply by the metre!
 
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On the BES web site the pipe at the top of the page is to the new EN 1057 standard as required by the Boat Safety Scheme but the smallest is 10mm OD.
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Where on earth does the Boat Safety Scheme mention En 1057 . Blowed if I could find it!
 
VicS said:
Where on earth does the Boat Safety Scheme mention En 1057 . Blowed if I could find it!
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Hmm. That's interesting.

Your link to the BSS document dated August 2005 mentions seamless copper tube but no EN or BS number. I looked at the Calor Marine web site document here www.calormarineshop.co.uk/boat_safety_scheme/lpg_installations_7.pdf Section 7.12 of this mentions seamless copper tube conforming to BS EN 1057. Although it is dated January 2002 it must have been updated because when I used it as a guide a few years ago it mentioned copper tube conforming to BS 2871. BS EN 1057 is a new standard.

:confused::confused::confused:
 
Hmm. That's interesting.
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Mystery solved. You are looking at the 2002 BSS Guide for Hire craft.

Don't expect me to explain why that refers to EN 1057 while the 2005 edition for privately owned craft does not.
 
VicS said:
As far as i can see pipe to BS EN 12735 for refrigeration and air conditioning is cleaned, nitrogen filled and capped.
I cannot see that standard is required for an LPG system.

BS EN 12449 is the standard for general engineering use. I cannot think of any reason why that will not be perfectly satisfactory.

Although the Boat Safety Scheme http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap7.pdf refers to quite a number of standards I see no reference to standards for the copper pipe but you do need annealed tube.

Go with the cheaper of the two.

You will find BES cheaper than Calor for most, but not all, of the items you will require. We have been assured of the quality of the materials and fittings they supply.


Just final thought your local independent plumber's merchant may be able to supply by the metre!
Click to expand...

I expect the pipe for refrigeration is also thicker walled and more ductile to allow for producing the flared connections these are properties not needed for pipes using olives.
 
Thanks for the replies. It's interesting to note that BES, at the bottom of their listing of copper pipe, have a metal insert which they recommend using with compression fittings. Not seen those before. Does one stick it in the end of the pipe while squeezing on the olive and then remove it, or is it supposed to be left in place permanently?
 
have a metal insert which they recommend using with compression fittings. Not seen those before
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No I have not noticed them before, at least not for copper pipe. Only seem to do them for 10mm.

You'd leave them in I am sure. You'd not get them out again easily.
 
davidbfox said:
Is there any restriction on doing gas work yourself on boats? Other than the obvious danger of getting it wrong?

Boats are not houses or workplaces, so I guess from the thread DIY is fine? If so it's a winter job for me too.
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No, but if you should 'code' the boat for commercial use or intend to use it on inland waterways I believe you need to get the system checked and signed off by a Corgi (or whatever they're called now) gas engineer. If the boat is just for private use, no problem.
 
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