Replacing Gas Pipe

[jusw]

The flexible armoured pipe (hose) to my gas cooker is getting pretty corroded and I fear the hose inside may not be too good either.

Is replacing it an easy option, and if so can anyone suggest a supplier of the parts? Alternatively a good fitter in the Chichester area?

Also from the last survey, I remember that I was criticised for not having a safety cut off valve between the cylinder and the cooker itself - any thoughts and again a source?

Hope to hear from you soon so the start of the next season doesn't go with a bang!

JuSw

 

[fastjedi]

Just bought the bits to fit my new cooker from
http://www.chandlery.biz/
Good prices + fast delivery + Simon was very helpful
The alternative is
http://www.socal.co.uk
Also very helpfull

New wisdom is to use unbraided hose so you can see the condition.

Before placing your order you need to know
- Dia' of copper pipework on boat (probably 5/16 or 3/8")
- Length / dia of tails on flexible pipe
- Connection to cooker

 

[desiderata]

Replacing Gas pipe

We have been told the here in The Netherlands the flexable gas pipe should be replaced every 3 years.The pipes are dated

 

[doug748]

While you are at it, if you fit one of these near the bottle, you can test your system before each use. Only takes a second to check:

http://www.alde.co.uk/itemdetails.php?itemId=53

 

[Martin_J]

.. And while you are at it - It would probably be time to replace the flexible hose at the cylinder end. It is amazing how much more flexible a new hose will be compared with the old. If you do it yourself then it has been suggested previously on this forum that the correct leak detection fluid is used rather than 'fairy liquid' since it is less corrosive to copper pipes. (I have a huge bottle if you need some!)

The Alde bubble detector is great... no power consumed and you can check for leaks any time you like. There are no false alarms either unlike some electronic detectors and you can test before switching any power circuits on as well. You can even test the flame fail devices by turning the gas and the burners on (but not lighting them) and there should be absolutely no bubbles seen.

As mentioned previously... Socal have all the parts in Southampton at their big showroom.. or if Hamble is preferable for you then David Brooks at Gas Check Marine can recommend parts then supply and/or fit - but he's usually very busy.

 

[KellysEye]

>New wisdom is to use unbraided hose so you can see the condition.

No, it must be armoured to comply with the regulaions.

 

[savageseadog]

>New wisdom is to use unbraided hose so you can see the condition.

No, it must be armoured to comply with the regulaions.

I've seen many contradictory postings on this subject. Anyone have an authoritative source of information?

This is a live issue for me.

 

[prv]

>New wisdom is to use unbraided hose so you can see the condition.

No, it must be armoured to comply with the regulaions.

I've seen many contradictory postings on this subject.

If you are a seagoing (not rivers or canals) boat which is not chartered, there are no regulations.

Anyone have an authoritative source of information?

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, which has a section defining what it does and does not apply to.

Pete

 

[fireball]

Rather than go to a chandlery - we've found that a Caravan shop does the same flexible stuff for less money.

 

[VicS]

Rather than go to a chandlery - we've found that a Caravan shop does the same flexible stuff for less money.

To which end there is a caravan shop between Southbourne and Nutbourne which may be of interest to folks in the Chichester area

Many years since I last went there (for gas hose IIRC) so do not know what they stock or how their prices stack up.

 

[ditchcrawler]

I had my hoses replaced when I had a new cooker last year ( by a fitter certified for marine work) and they were the orange type with date on.I asked about a tap next to the cooker which involved running pipework forwards and backwards again due to position of outlet and the fitter stated that I did not have to have one as it was only one appliance.I therefore still switch on/off at the bottle.

 

[fireball]

To which end there is a caravan shop between Southbourne and Nutbourne which may be of interest to folks in the Chichester area

Many years since I last went there (for gas hose IIRC) so do not know what they stock or how their prices stack up.

That'll be Chichester Caravans - and is exactly where we went to get our last lot of gas hose!
We also got a Leisure battery from there a few years ago, a kettle more recently and regularly pop in if we're after something that may be x-over between caravan & boats ...

 

[Tranona]

There is a lot of useful information on www.calormarinegas.co.uk covering both DIY installation and a list of approved installers.

For what it is worth I have chosen to have my replacement cooker professionally installed (by the Calor recommended fitter) including replacement of all the fittings and regulator as it is all 10 years old. Estiimate around £120 including the certificate.

 

[fireball]

I assume for £120 he's replacing the 2 flexible hoses rather than the long solid pipe.

 

[Tranona]

I assume for £120 he's replacing the 2 flexible hoses rather than the long solid pipe.

Yes. Two hoses, regulator and pipe end fittings as the originals are mild steel and well corroded - so made sense to have the whole lot replaced. Tap in locker considered OK. should be done some time next week. Could be DIY job with lots of grovelling in the stern etc, but I also want the certificate.

 

[KellysEye]

>I've seen many contradictory postings on this subject. Anyone have an authoritative source of information?

What you seek is at the bottom. If you wish to confirm that call a Corgi engineer or any yacht surveyor. I would never DIY a gas system, it's just not worth the risk.

The following is a brief list of details that a good gas system should include:

The gas bottle should be stored, secured upright in a locker;
The gas locker should be drained from the bottom and vented at the top outside the hull;
The drain skin fitting should be at least 75mm above the waterline even when the vessel is healed over;
The drain hose should have a continuous fall and be at least 19mm internal diameter;
The gas locker should be dedicated for gas bottle use only;
The flexible hose should be no longer than 1m. Copper pipe should be used, not flexible hose for longer runs;
The gas bottle regulator and the join between the flexible hose at the bottle end and the copper pipe should be made within the gas bottle locker as if the gas system leaks it will most likely be at these points;
The copper gas pipe should be secured to the vessels structure at intervals of no more than 300mm;
The copper gas pipe should be protected by conduit where it goes through a bulkhead or piece of joinery to reduce fracture and chaff;
Feeble hose should not be fed through a bulkhead;
A gas shut off tap should be fitted into the galley if more than one gas appliance is present;
Armoured flexible hose should be used at the cooker end if the cooker is gimbled to reduce chaffing.

 

[daveyw]

Armoured flexible hose should be used at the cooker end if the cooker is gimbled to reduce chaffing.

Have to disagree with this. If the hose is fitted correctly there should be minimal chaffing. An armoured hose prevents a visual inspection of the hose itself.

 

[VicS]

The Boats Safety Scheme Chapter 7 is the reference for gas systems in privately owned and operated craft, although strictly only enforceable on the inland waterways
http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/BSS_Guide_chap7.pdf

Some items in KellysEye's list that are not exactly what it says in the BSS guide .. read the guide

Tranona gives a link to calormarinegas.
Well worth reading the various sections on there. I'd particularly highlight the instructions for making compression joints as there is much bad advice out there about that.

A completed installation should be tested. Probably best if this is done by a Gas Safe regisiterd fitter, but details of the two tests necessary can be found HERE

NB all references to "Corgi" are out of date. Gas Safe replaced Corgi nearly two years ago!

 

[VicS]

Have to disagree with this. If the hose is fitted correctly there should be minimal chaffing. An armoured hose prevents a visual inspection of the hose itself.

Thats right. Only flexible, not armoured hose, is required by the Boat Safety scheme. See my link above!

 

[jusw]

Thanks for all the help and advice - It would seem my current installation (except for the qulity of the flexible hose) meets the criteria.

I always check for leaks with a portable electronic device before switching on the boat electrics, but a bubble tester seems like a good idea.

The existing installation is about 6 or 7 years old so its time for new hose.

I'll certainly look into the caravan dealsers Vic.

Once again - many thanks all we now need is some decent weather..............

JuSW