Helen wrote:When did you last look at the orange gas hose in your Dandy
Gas pipes/hose should be changed every five years minimum .... doesn't matter if they look okay or haven't been used much because they go brittle and degrade with age. You will find a year date stamped on the orange gas hose .... this is to tell you how old the pipe is and so you know when to change it. It's a very simple job and not expensive but it is important.
Most of you will already know to do this but not everyone who is new to Dandy's, trailer tents or camping will know that they must be changed to ensure that they are safe.
I saw a picture of Jake's gas carrier and was going to make a comment that he was using Black LPG piping and if he used the orange high pressure pipework there was no specified service life. well the truth was different than I thought.
There is no specified service life for either tube and regular inspection is recommended.
BS3212 or BSEN1763 hoses should bear the year and name of manufacturer.
We have no specific recommendation for the exchange interval for vapour hoses, but it is considered that the normal useful service life of such hoses is 5 years.
Aggressive operating conditions or simple misuse may render the hose unfit for service in a shorter time than 5 years. The User of the hose carries responsibility for routinely checking visually the hose(s) for signs of abrasion, cuts, cracks, fading, brittleness, hot spots or other damage. If the User has doubts about hose integrity then arrangements should be made for a competent person to check and if necessary, fit a replacement(s).
The black pipework looking to have a greater service life.
The useful service life of flexible hose will vary dependant upon a number of influences including
exposure to sunlight and UV, exposure to rain, pressure cycle, flexing, abrasion, twisting, together
with a range of abusive conditions.
Black BS3212 Type 1 & BS EN 1763 Class A hose can be remarkably durable in service and there are
numerous examples of properly maintained hose being in use on caravans, etc. for several years.
The orange BS3212 Type 2 & BSEN1763 Class B hose has proven less durable and resistant to
weathering and ageing than the former black hose, particularly, when used in external unprotected
applications e.g. pigtails.
Experience to date with the heavy duty black hose to BS 3212 type 2 suggests that the weathering
resistance of this hose is excellent.
See
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]I have noticed a trend recently for insurance companies to host advice on their websites. With reference to the legitimacy of that advice this piece is from a local authority Neath Port Talbot County Borough which tells you that you must replace flexible gas hose every two years.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Always use a hose designed for use with LPG. The hose should have a maximum length of 2m with clamps at both ends. Hoses should be replaced every 2 years as they deteriorate over time.
Likewise similar can be found throughout the country in advice to street traders. Unfortunately the ones from Salford and Bolton appear as Word documents so I can't reference them.
Where two years came from is I think from another printing of
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] that that may have said two or three years.
Page 2
Gas installations Until September 2003, different regulators were required, depending on which gas was being used - butane being regulated to 28mbar and propane to 37mbar. Regulators were attached to the gas cylinder itself, with the low-pressure gas from the regulator then being taken into the caravan through a thin, low-pressure hose. These hoses were vulnerable to damage and age-related deterioration, and needed regular replacement (typically every three years).
Page 7
Safety Because of its highly flammable nature when mixed with air, certain basic safety guidelines should be followed whenever dealing with LPG. LPG is non-toxic and has no smell - the characteristic gas smell is added to help detect any leaks. Leakages are most likely to occur at connection points such as the regulator, valve or flexible hose. Hoses will inevitably deteriorate with age, so they should be inspected for wear and damage and replaced from time to time. Low pressure hoses are most vulnerable, and should be changed every three years.
Where did the local authority come up with the 2m limit on flexible pipe lengths? How did the Caravan Club decide on a three year service life for flexible hose? If sites don't quote there source how reliable are they?
Just found another piece on Gas Hose and replacement. This concerns users getting hose mixed up and using low pressure hose in place of high pressure hose but it does make a statement on the frequency of replacement:
uklpg wrote:Whilst there is no specific service life or exchange interval, LPG hose and tubing should
be regularly visually inspected for cuts, abrasion, discoloration, deterioration and
damage and IMMEDIATELY replaced.
See
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Though I've found an error in the piece With reference to low pressure tubing it states
uklpg wrote:Tubing is single ply construction and designed for use with low-pressure gas. It should
comply with BS3212 type 1 and be marked BS3212:1991/1/x/LOW PRESSURE LPG,
the manufacturers name or symbol and the date of manufacture. It is usually only
available in 8 mm internal diameter (x =
. Tubing is only suitable for use at pressures
not exceeding 50 mbar. It is black in colour.
"It is usually only available in 8mm internal diameter." Usually only available? Does that mean it might be found in other diameters? Yes it does.
We had a question on diameters of flexible gas tubing and there was a quote to say it's standard. There are various diameters though 8mm (8.3mm in HP Orange) is the most popular. For standard Dandy use you require 8mm/8.3mm tubing.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Available as 8mm or 10.5mm
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Available as 4.8mm 6.3mm 8.3mm and 10mm
See
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