making a gas locker

That is exactly my concern also. It seems that introducing a high pressure pigtail with two additional joints must increase the possibility of a serious leak. The regulations don't seem to allow the use of regulators fixed to bottles, so I'm being forced to introduce what I consider to be a weak link.
Am I misunderstanding the regulations or codes of practice?
 
Re: You can have regulators on cylinders...

Thanks for that.
I had read that document but my eyes had glazed over by the time I reached that section.
All the diagrams show wall mounted regulators, so I assumed that that was the requirement.
Dan
 
Re: You can have regulators on cylinders...

Well, I'm due for a survey next year and if the current gas installation gets condemned I'll give serious consideration to ripping the whole lot out and going over to primus / meths / or even a bleedin' candle rather than let the b'stards have the pleasure of making me jump through any more hoops!
 
Can I point out that the regs actually require the gas installation to be fitted by 'A Competent Person'. There is then a clarification note added to the regs to state that 'Corgi' registration is considered to be proof of competence. There are other ways to be competent.

Regards

Richard.
 
Re: You can have regulators on cylinders...

That's more like it! That's what drew me away from cars to boats in the first place - common sense. If you get it wrong, you die! nice, simple, self-policing policy!

Unfortunately, it now looks like the hoardes of bureaucrats are starting to descend on the boating fraternity (for our own good of course!)

I expect they'll be telling us to stay away from water next!
 
Re: You can have regulators on cylinders...

The Calor marine site contradicts itself sightly. In the section on gas regulators it says
"Should be attached to the boat, not the cylinder
To reduce the possibility of liquefied gas getting passed the regulator and in to the low pressure system. To make changing gases on an extended voyage much safer".

Elsewhere they give the whole Boat Safety Scheme which appears to allow bottle mounted regualtors, as pointed out by pvb.

Personally I go along with the arguments in favour of bottle mounted regulators to eliminate hp hoses and at least one hp joint, but the BSS is written primarily for Inland water ways where the conditions are generally much calmer and boats stay on a more even keel.
 
When I bought my boat (Hustler 30) last year I had the same dilemma. The surveyor (rightly) criticised the gas locker (which was a shabby sealed plywood box inside a cockpit locker) and the insurers insisted that it was replaced.

When I checked the small print in the insurance policy it stated that I must warrant that the gas system complies with certain BS regs. If you look at the detail of the regs they specify all kind of parameters that must be complied with - the type of materials to be used, the bore of the drain pipes, where the drain must exit the boat and the fire resistance of the box etc. In the end, despite the cost I decided that it was not worth prejudicing my insurance cover by making a box that did not comply precisely with the BS regs. If you make your own gas locker and it does not comply with the regs and the boat suffers from a gas related incident the insurers would almost certainly avoid payment on the basis that you have breached the warranty provisions in the policy. I guess the risk of prejudicing your insurance cover has to be weighed against the cost of the box/installation.

In the end I bought a fibreglass gas locker (as advertised on the Calor website). I fitted the box and then had the pipes replaced and the system CORGI certified. Thus no arguments from the insurers.

I bought the box direct from Will Hayward (Felixstowe) who actually makes the boxes for Calor. I fitted it and he then replaced and certified the system. This was a cost effective way of doing the job and in all it cost just under £300 (for the box, an entirely new gas system, skin fittings, shut off valve, regulator and pipes). A lot I know but maybe a small price for peace of mind and preservation of insurance cover?
 
My surveyer suggested locking the gas bottle onto Pendragon's diving platform. The top of the bottle would be below the rear of the transom and no box would be necessary. With bss inspection due this year, I am now a bit worried in case I may transgress some regulation, perhaps because the bottle may not be protected from knocks.
Philip
 
[ QUOTE ]
My surveyer suggested locking the gas bottle onto Pendragon's diving platform. The top of the bottle would be below the rear of the transom and no box would be necessary. With bss inspection due this year, I am now a bit worried in case I may transgress some regulation, perhaps because the bottle may not be protected from knocks.
Philip

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Phil,
Best thing to do now, is firstly to read Chapter 7 of the 2005 edition of the BSS Essential Guide and then to send a question with some digital pics at various angles of the appropriate area on the transom (or other identified areas) to my colleague Dave Washer via bss.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.com. he will advise you as necessary. If you have to use printed photos post them to him at BSS Office, Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford WD17 4QA.
Regards
 
Would you fit 2 gas alarms, one in gas locker and one in the bilge, do they have to be 12v connected or can they be battery run?
 
Binman said:
Would you fit 2 gas alarms, one in gas locker and one in the bilge, do they have to be 12v connected or can they be battery run?
Click to expand...

AFAIK continuous monitoring ones will be 12volt powered eg Pilot , Nasa, Nerus , BEP

Any battery powered ones are I think just hand held devices . eg Omnitron / Honeywell EZ sense gas detector.

Pilot, and others, offer twin sensor alarms and also the facility to close an electrically operated shut off valve if a leak is detected.

Some sensors are damaged by water so care needed if locating in the bilges. otherwise choose one with waterproof sensors

Personally would not locate one in the gas locker.
 
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