Gas/LPG WOF's

[ScottiE 174]

just read the regs you're allowed a hose assembly (ie. not rigid) for a single appliance connection from regulator to appliance.

[Farrari 4]

 

1.5 COMPLIANCE

 

This Standard applies to new installations, alterations and extensions commenced after its  publication date or the date of adoption by the relevant

Technical Regulator. It does not apply retrospectively to existing installations, but any repairs or modifications to existing installations shall comply with the requirements of this Standard.

 

The standard doesn't appear to apply retrospectively.

 

[Dambo 44]

I removed the mish-mash of flexible hose joined with hose clips onto pieces of copper tube, back to pieces of flexible hose from the trailer-sailor and put in a meths cooker.  Problem solved.

 

Except now you need to fill up the tank from a bottle and it's a bit slow... 

[Guest 000]

Boy, do I just love my kerosine stove!

[1paulg 20]

I was told that because the regulations are so stringent that few gas fitters are interested in doing work on boats - mainly because they can be called out for what seems a small issue to fix and when they step aboard if they see anything that isn't compliant with the gas set up they are bound to point it out and make a point to see that it is bought up to current regulation standard . What that means is what originally seemed like a small job can end up having to spend thousands .

Ironically it may well be pushing people to do their own work in areas that they may not be experienced which then can cause issues as well

[John B 114]

I haven't read the regs , but I do know that a standard requirement of that industry is to use those ridiculous crimp clamps between flex hose and pipe rather than a hose clamp( or two).

If you want to know why they are ridiculous and not fit for purpose , think on this.

How many times have you fitted a head or plumbed something else , and come back a year later only to be amazed by the fact you can tweak up the hose clamp. This is because flex hose of all types settle in and lose memory , therefore the clamp needs to be correspondingly made tighter to compensate.

In other words the rubber/ plastic/ whatever compresses with time.

Crimp clamps are supposed to be 'professionally' fitted with a special tool, presumably to dissuade talented amateurs from fiddling with them, the same amateurs with the vested interest in not having themselves and their family blown to kingdom come. They exist primarily because of historic Darwin award recipients undoing hose clamps and running the gas, which doesn't actually make them better for the actual job of sealing a hose to pipe joint.

They are crap, to comply you need one fitted , and then you should back it up with a hose clamp. or just use quality hose clamps and inspect them.

[Straight Laced 12]

I find it laughable that we specialise in gas reticulation and install systems to cope with all types of nasty gases, both highly flammable and toxic. Unfortunately, none of the equipment that we install is approved for LPG or any other domestic gas use. The level of quality is many times superior and leaks or lifespan would not be an issue, but any insurance claim would be a non event.

I understand that regulations are needed to keep some level of safety, but these regulators need to get their heads out of their arses and recognise that it will still work if the quality of materials used are higher than the approved crap.

I shudder sometimes when I see some installations in boats and caravans, but hey at least it is approved.

[wheels 544]

When we first took ownership of our boat, we had a gas problem. Simply could not get a decent amount of hot water from the Califont. Even replace the Califont with a bigger one, only to find there was no improvement. I traced the Gas hose from the bottles. Apparently a professional had installed it. He had used the braided clear plastic hose. That wasn't so much a problem as it was not illegal to use it back then. A 12mm hose left the regulator and went through a deck gland and into the boat. I found the hose inside and pulled it back to ensure there was nothing cutting it off or kinking it or blocking it in anyway. About 1m in, the 12mm was pushed into a 15mm with piece of copper tube inside the 12mm so as the hose clip then holding it all together, had something to crunch against. I could not believe it and was horrified. Now to be honest, I have no idea if the Pro did this or the Boats previous owner. But what a way to connect a gas line.
I eventually found the reason why we didn't have enough hot water. There was not enough gas flow. Discovered the problem by noticing the ring burner on the gas top would drop away when the Califont came on. I went back to the reg thinking that must be faulty. After a bit of thinking, I realised the electric shut off valve was fitted after the reg, not before it. So there would be no way enough regulated gas would squeeze through the little wee hole in the Valve. It needed the high pressure stuff. Problem solved and also hence why I have proper gas hose run to the copper line further down the boat.

[Island Time 1,293]

Yeah wheels many have trouble with Califonts, won't light, go out, not hot enough etc. The good ones have a few systems. They can have water flow sensors, oxygen sensors, Gas pressure etc etc. But set up properly they are great. Hot water any time. No need to run the engine and no battery/electricity required

[Beccara 25]

Pressurized anything on a boat gives scares me quite a bit (outside of the fuel pump for the engine!) You're always fighting something that wants to be in a different state and to top it off it sinks and is flammable.

 

Still we have a gas stove with a flexable line, we also turn it off at the bottle when we're away for periods of time and i'm thinking about chucking in a servo on the HP side set to fail to closed

[wheels 544]

Survey (and i would expect Cat2/1 ) requires the gas to be able to be turned off from the galley in the event of fire. We have the BEP gas detector that has the set up so as the electric valve shuts off if the detector sounds. 

[Island Time 1,293]

Nope, remote shutoff not required for cat 1. Just a sign that says " remember, shut off gas at bottle"

[John B 114]

Survey (and i would expect Cat2/1 ) requires the gas to be able to be turned off from the galley in the event of fire. We have the BEP gas detector that has the set up so as the electric valve shuts off if the detector sounds.

 

I fitted one of those a few years ago myself, great thing to have.

A few friends have had the sensors die over the years, its good to keep the booklet so you can bypass the sensor if needed. I carry a spare now.