Replacing gas pipes

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gerryl

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I want to replace my old copper gas pipe with flexible hose over the whole run i.e
from the cooker isolator tap to the regulator. The approx length is 6 mtrs. Any one know if this is a) safe b) recommended c) legal?
 
All hose systems are not recommended. Nomally hoses for connection of appliances should be limited to 1 metre.

See chapter 7 of the Boat Safety scheme. HERE Page 32.

No requirement to sheath a copper pipe though as far as I recall!
 
I believe that I read in pbo that americans use flexible pipe almost up to the cooker, and if its replaced before the expiry date that this is ok. I have no doubt that there will be many ways some better than 'the standard' and some worse. I like pvc coated copper pipe as this protects the pipe from external corrosion, but you may find that rules forbid this. The chap at southampton calor centre is very good and will put you in the right direction. But beware you should have the whole installation checked by a marine qualified corgi man, Thats what surveyors usually state on their surveys. I always turn the gas off when I am not using it, at the bottle. Gas is such dodgy stuff, gas detectors have to be run all the time and have to be calibrated at proper intervals. I wish I had a diesel cooker.
 
I agree with Vic that flexible hose should be limited to each end. I found out after I had replaced 20 year old flexible pipe with new flexible pipe. Doh!
 
Depends if you need to comply with the BSS or not. I failed my BSS for this reason on my last boat.

BSS like 1 metre or less hose, the rest copper run inside PVC tubing, not closer than 30mm to any electric wiring or devices.

Good engineering practice would dictate copper tube in non BSS boat anyway..
 
I've just read the link helpfully posted by VicS (the knower of all stuff!) and it would appear I'm not quite correct in my earlier post..

An all hose system IS acceptable if it complies with ISO something or other, but is not reccomended by the BSS chaps.

Further, the PVC protection is only applicable to areas where the pipework runs through an engine space or areas that contain electrical equipment (which is just about everywhere these days..)

DEFINITELY worth checking out that link before proceeding.

Thanks VicS!
 
I can't see how having more connections - flexible hose at both ends of Cu piping - is safer than appropriatly renewed full length flexible hose with half the number of connections. The lenght of the hose, if properly supported and protected, should not be the problem.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I can't see how

[/ QUOTE ] I think a copper pipe is simply more robust and fire resistant.
Properly made connections should not be a problem.
Hose should be renewed at regular intervals, 5 years is the recommendation IIRC, whereas copper pipe clipped up properly out of the bilge water will last for a very long time. What a PITA it will be to replace the rubber hose every 5 years. It simply wont be done.

I know which I prefer. Mine is copper and probably only a few cms more than a metre.
You use whichever you prefer. If your Insurance company agrees.

I have five LP joints. Regulator to hose, hose to copper, copper to local cock, cock to hose, hose to cooker. If I changed to all hose the only joint that would be eliminated is second one in those five, hose to copper.
 
My surveyor accepted that all flexible high pressure hose less than 5 years old is acceptable in a continuous run from bottle to isolator if within a gas tight conduit. Now the first bit is fine but the secon raises questions. If just per chance you were to have a leak on the inner pipe the gas would need to find a route out, now you wouldn't want it to travel in towards the cooker so you would need to seal the inner end of the conduit. The outer end would of course need to be in the gas locker so it could drain away safely. What a pain! In the end despite the recommendations of the surveyor the insurance company didn't insist that I implement any of his recommendations so I have run the tube through protective sheaving where required, tucked it well out of the way of other things, put no sharp turns or bends in it and feel quite happy that it will last for many years. Incidently it replaced a similar pipe of lower quality, lesser protection and poorer run which lasted 15 years without any problems. Of course my bottle is easily accessed from the cockpit and isolated after each use - in my mind just about the only bit to worry about. And yes I have a petrol inboard engine!

yoda
 
I bought replacement flexible gas piping from the local calor agent last week. The manufacture date on the pipe was 2005. When I queried this, I was told that the pipe is damaged by the gas and that the 5 years only runs from the time of first use. They don't get through a lot and can't replace reels every year.
Am I being gullible? And how do I convince the surveyor in two years time that the pipe has only been used for 2 years despite the manufacture date being 7 years previous?
 
The lenght of the hose, if properly supported and protected, should not be the problem.
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The americans totally agree with you and go this route with made up hoses of different lengths available with installion kits of the correct glands to stop chaffing at bulkheads....

You can also buy made up gas lockers in the USA and Canada which are totally plumbed up ready with connectors to match the made up hoses and include all valves and fittings and empty cylinder made up for about the same price as the fibre glass mouldings bought here!!!!!
 
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