Gas Tanks

I've just checked your handbook on the AS web site:

4. Turn off all gas appliances, except those heating appliances designed to function whilst the vehicle is in motion. Ensure that the red isolation taps are in the 'off' position. If fitted with a gas locker, ensure that the gas cylinders are securely restrained and that the door is closed and locked.

I know recent enquiries have been made of AS and they confirm that this is the correct procedure but also acknowledge that some of the red isolation taps are not readily accessible.

I've done some extensive research into this topic lately. It is not illegal in Europe to drive with the gas switched on but for the vehicle to achieve European Type Approval there must be signage fitted in the vehicle to tell you not to operate gas appliances (other than those designed for the purpose) whilst the vehicle is in motion.

When travelling through the tunnel they always ask and usually check that gas bottles are turned off. I have no experience of the procedure for a fixed tank but expect that if there was a problem I would have heard about it by now.

As with all matters where you are at risk, I suggest you check what I have said before deciding what you do.

Peter

When I spoke to Truma on this topic they told me they produce an electrically operated valve that you can locate at the tank and operate from inside the van.

Peter

From a practical point of view I think their are two possible concerns.

The first is that the fridge and heater have their combustion chambers open to the outside and therefore on a garage forecourt or in a ferry or tunnel carriage they could provide effectively a naked flame to combustible fumes.  Turning off the red isolation valve is a 'fail safe' method of ensuring appliances aren't lit in those environments.

The second is the fracture of a pipe that's connected to an open gas supply during a road traffic accident and the possibility of the escaping gas igniting and the flame blowing back into the bottle/tank and exploding.  Turning off the tap on a gas bottle minimises the risk of that but turning off the tap on the regulator or having a regulator that cuts off the gas in the event of an impact still leaves some pipework vulnerable.  If their is a valve on the tank itself then that would be the place to turn it off.

My personal view is that if I had a van with a fixed tank and as I wouldn't be breaking any law then I would leave the tank and regulator switched on and turn the red isolation valves off as a matter of course when not using any particular gas appliance.

Peter

Bad Penny wrote:
I have just had an email reply from customer service of the channel tunnel.
They have said that to qualify to use the tunnel, we must isolate the gas supply at the underslung tank and each onboard appliance valve as well. Therefore everything must be off.

So this means that all owners of Auto-Sleeper vans with underslung tanks will have to get down on the ground (irrespective of the weather), crawl under their vans and turn off the gas.


I can see this being a little bit of a problem.

This Truma one draws no current when closed and 40mA when open which is very acceptable.

Peter

http://www.truma.com/uk/en/gas-supply/accessories-gas-installation.php

I have just read the handbook for my new Warwick Duo and Auto Sleeper specifically state that when using Eurotunnel to turn off the red gas isolation taps in the cupboard. But they make no mention at all about the tap on the gas tank itself.