Gas

[NickTrevethan]

That makes more sense but only really if the lid opens to somewhere where the gas could drain into the boat. If not then I can't see the point. It would need to be a pretty catastrophic leak for a normal locker to be overwhelmed with a reasonable lid, I would have thought.

I meant gas tight with a drain of course.

 

[pmagowan]

I meant gas tight with a drain of course.

Yes, got you now. I was imagining all kinds of catastrophic scenarios but Rigger is already trying to turn your scheme into a jet powered yacht!

 

[RobWheatley]

It's interesting that you mention the Installation and Use regs, because I was under the impression they didn't apply to seagoing boats. However, it's a very long time since I last read them.

Pete

GSIUR 1998 haven't really changed much, its not a requirement to have the system certified every year on private boats unless they are chartered (same as caravans) but all work should be carried out by a competent person however marina's and insurance companies may insist on the safety certificate.

 

[cliff]

Don't know if this affects you in NI

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/gas_safety_on_boats.aspx

Another bunch of self appointed ****ers - took over from the yappy dogs that preceded them - as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike - only a money making enterprise - the so called Regulations are not law only recommendations

 

[VicS]

Another bunch of self appointed ****ers - took over from the yappy dogs that preceded them - as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike - only a money making enterprise - the so called Regulations are not law only recommendations

The regulations referred to are the The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. A Statutory Instrument which came into force on 31 October 1998.

Surely this is law. Law made by government not merely recommendations made by Gas Safe Register or Corgi

 

[NickTrevethan]

The spark isn't just from say flicking a lighter to get a better look inside

You might be trying to renew the flexible hose and drop your tool which hits something to cause a spark, or ypu poke a torch in there and turn it on. Lightning witll send sparks all over the place and the last thing you want after that cataclysm if for a gout of flame from the gas locker

OK the risks are very small - infinitesimal, but with no gas residue in the locker, it all having drained away rather than accumulated in the bottom inch below a vent, it just makes things safer.

 

[DaveS]

I agree with prv's view on this one and I also favour the American system. My boat came with a continuous rubber hose from the properly drained gas locker to the cooker, the only joint outside the gas locker being the connection to the cooker. When I first replaced the hose (as I do every 5 years) I enlarged the bulkhead holes so that they would take a larger plastic hose of around 40mm diameter. I pulled the new gas hose into this and re-fitted it. The outer hose mechanically protects the gas hose and, taped to the cooker pipe after the connection and open to the gas locker at the other end, provides a safe exit for any leaks. (As an aside, my current car was built as a bi-fuel and all the stainless gas lines had an outer plastic pipe arranged in this way, so it's clearly not a new idea.) I have a solenoid valve in the gas locker controlled from near the cooker. I fitted a flashing LED to draw attention to the valve being open. Currently control is by a gas detector, but this draws quite a high standby current and the sensors do not have a long life so I am thinking of replacing it with a simple on off switch.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Wrong thread

 

[lw395]

I agree with prv's view on this one and I also favour the American system. My boat came with a continuous rubber hose from the properly drained gas locker to the cooker, the only joint outside the gas locker being the connection to the cooker. When I first replaced the hose (as I do every 5 years) I enlarged the bulkhead holes so that they would take a larger plastic hose of around 40mm diameter. I pulled the new gas hose into this and re-fitted it. The outer hose mechanically protects the gas hose and, taped to the cooker pipe after the connection and open to the gas locker at the other end, provides a safe exit for any leaks. (As an aside, my current car was built as a bi-fuel and all the stainless gas lines had an outer plastic pipe arranged in this way, so it's clearly not a new idea.) I have a solenoid valve in the gas locker controlled from near the cooker. I fitted a flashing LED to draw attention to the valve being open. Currently control is by a gas detector, but this draws quite a high standby current and the sensors do not have a long life so I am thinking of replacing it with a simple on off switch.

Having known a boat where the cooker broke its gimbal in a broach, breaking the flexible hose, I like to see a gas tap 'indoors' which is turned off whenever the stove is not in use.
I prefer that tap to be in plain view, not hidden in a locker.
Ideally it would be where you could reach it while the hose was in 'flame thrower' mode.

One of my boats had a copper gas pipe 'protected' by a clear PVC (?) hose.
It grew some hideous corrosion at one point where the pipe rested on the hose and presumably condensation and pvc plasticiser gathered.
I replaced it with new pipe in a snap-on cover conduit as used for house wiring.
Where the pipe went through bulkheads, I used polyurethane sealant, as this doesn't corrode copper like some silicone can.
I don't think that's ideal, but the main thing I believe in is having a good look at it several times a season.

 

[prv]

Having known a boat where the cooker broke its gimbal in a broach, breaking the flexible hose, I like to see a gas tap 'indoors' which is turned off whenever the stove is not in use.

The "American" system turns off the valve in the gas locker, so damage to the hose anywhere along its length would be protected.

Pete

 

[catlotion]

Ideally it would be where you could reach it while the hose was in 'flame thrower' mode.

I believe someone on here had that very experience (SeaRush?) - what's the size of the flame like? I thought that as it's the low pressure side of the regulator it wouldn't be so big to prevent you from switching a nearby tap off...? I ask because our isolation tap is in an aft cabin and you have to go past the cooker to get in there...

 

[Rigger Mortice]

The "American" system turns off the valve in the gas locker, so damage to the hose anywhere along its length would be protected.

Pete

It also uses a high pressure hose which, IIRC, is rated even higher than our high pressure hoses and many times more than our low pressure hose.

 

[rob2]

The "American" system turns off the valve in the gas locker, so damage to the hose anywhere along its length would be protected.

Pete

Until recently, all skippers insisted that the gas should be turned off at the bottle at all times it wasn't in use. Even back in the day, everyone knew this was OTT but there is no halfway safe version so that's what was done. In fact, I knew one boat which smelt of gas when cooking, but survived for years as the leak was switched off at all other times. Eventually the faulty joint was found and fixed...

Rob.