Gas Regs

[syd]

I'm going to rip out my old electric cooker and install a new gas one.
Can anyone tell me what guide lines, i.e gas locker requirements, piping, connections etc.
Cheers
Syd

 

[sarabande]

the Boat Safety Scheme is here, with a download of detailed standards:-

http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/site/GettheGuide_7.asp

May not apply to you if you are seagoing, but at least a good guide.



And Calor Gas have some practical hints and kit as well:-

http://www.calormarinegas.co.uk/

 

[VicS]

Chapter 7 of the Boat safety scheme refers to the installation itself
DIRECT LINK

Chapter 8 deals with Cooking, heating, refrigerating and lighting appliances

You might also wish to look into marine regulators to which EN 12864 Annexe M applies

Summary of legal requirements and standards

EN 12864 annex M
This standard is for the design and manufacture of
regulators for LPG cylinders to supply appliances installed
in saltwater boats.
• Material in contact with the atmosphere shall be suitably
corrosion resistant. In particular this includes internal
components above the diaphragm.
• The vent shall be on the edge of the diaphragm, in a
suitable location and of suitable size to drain water which
may collect on the diaphragm.
• Shall incorporate an over-pressure relief device, the
vent shall be provided with a pipe connection facing
downwards.
• Operating pressure specification to annex D.

PD 5482 - 3 2005
Codes of practice for LPG installations in boats,
yachts and other vessels: ‘Regulators must
conform to EN 12864.’

BS EN ISO 10239 2000
Small craft LPG installation regulation covering
all vessels built after Nov 2000: ‘Regulators must
incorporate a pressure relief valve.’

BS EN ISO 10239 2008
Regulators installed in vessels used in a saltwater
environment must conform to EN 12863 annex M.
Systems must include a high pressure gauge.
​

You should either test the installation or preferably have it tested by Gas Safe registered fitter.

Details of the testing that applied under CORGI can be found on the WOA forum They may or may not still be the same under Gas Safe

 

[VicS]

This diagram was published some years ago in PBO magazine ... it mightbe useful

Dodgy gas installations can be dangerous so take care

 

[Tranona]

There is a major article on gas installations,written by David Stopard of Marine Systems Engineering in this months PBO.

If you don't want to do it yourself, I have just had mine completely replaced (except for the locker) with test certificate for about £350.

 

[pappaecho]

If you are seriously going to make the change, I think the first decision you need to make is the "regulations" you are going to adopt. I am not at all impressed as the UK regs and prefer the USA regs... which
Require the gas storage bottles to be OUTSIDE of boat, caravan, RV etc so that if they leak, they leak in free air, not in a sealed locker which may not seal properly.
Butance and Propane are heavier than air, so they sink into the lowest part of the boat, mix with oxygen and then go bang when ignited. (Natural gas is mainly methane which is lighter than air)
Since the US introduced their regs in the 1980s, there have virtually been no cases or fires, whilst beforehand it was a major problem, and is still a problem in the UK.
When they were drawing up the Uk res, I wrote asking why not adopt the US idea, and was told "What happens if the boat is in a collision?" Not happy with attaching the gas bottle in a container on the pushpit.
Last year a fishing boat rammed the back of the boat, and bent the pushpit, breaking the rubber flexible hose between gas canister and the boat. The gas leaked into free air... proving the point. The gas canister is still on a new pushpit