LPG Pigtails Do’s and Dont’s

 

LPG Pigtails and Safety Tips.

LPG Pigtails

LPG Pigtails or, as some people call them, the rubber hoses used to connect the changeover regulator valve to the gas bottles. 

You must treat these LPG Pigtails carefully because they are a vulnerable part of a gas installation.

When the time comes to change over these pigtails, follow the information below.

Only use pigtails that carry the mark BS 3212, or stainless steel convoluted pigtails marked EN10380.

If you’re connecting a pigtail directly to a gas bottle, or if the outlet pressure of the changeover valve exceeds more than 50 mbar, use a pigtail marked High-Pressure LPG.

Keep the length of the pigtail as short as possible but not so long that it can’t be pulled tight.

Replace any pigtail that is damaged or showing signs of wear, stiffness, or cracking.

Make sure you keep hoses clear of any hot surfaces.

What is LPG?

Liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG, such as propane or butane, is a flammable fuel used in mobile homes, log cabins, boats and much more.

You are more than likely to encounter LPG in camping equipment, BBQs, and patio heaters, and it’s also frequently used in dwellings like static caravans, cabins, boats and rural homes.

Something you should remember is if you rent out your dwelling, even if it is just a short-term let, you become classed as a landlord with legal duties.

When it comes to liquid petroleum gas, (LPG) safety and gas safety is the number one priority.

Follow these gas safety tips to stay safe while renting.

Hiring a LAV, Ask if the gas appliances in your Leisure Accommodation Vehicle (LAV) have been safety-checked and serviced. 

If you’re holidaying in the United Kingdom in a touring caravan or motorhome, the hirer must do this by law, they are required to provide an up-to-date Landlord Gas Safety Record.

When buying a previously used LAV, Ask the seller to provide any servicing and maintenance records. 

If these documents are not available, ask the seller about having the gas installation checked by an LPG Gas Safe Registered engineer.

The gas appliances in your LAV, such as gas cookers or gas fires, will be different to those you may have at home. 

Ask for copies of the gas appliance user guide or maintenance instructions.

Ask for a demonstration on how to use the gas appliances/installation, including the storage, positioning, and exchange of LPG gas cylinders, including the pigtails.

Gas cookers should never be used for heating the living space, and require adequate ventilation when in use.

BBQs must never be used indoors they are intended to be used in open, well-vented spaces. 

Used charcoal or disposable BBQs, must never be taken inside your motorhome or caravan during or after use as this could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do not block any purpose-provided ventilation it is installed for the safe working of appliances and the occupants.

An MOT certificate for a motorhome is not a guarantee for the safety of the gas installation.

Remember – badly fitted and poorly maintained gas appliances can cause gas leaks, explosions, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.

Have a regular gas safety inspection to ensure the safety of your gas appliances, gas bottles and pigtails.

Just because it was all safe to use last year does not mean it is safe this year. SAFETY MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST.

Recognise the signs of a gas appliance that may indicate they are unsafe. 

Black marks or stains around the appliance and lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones could be signs that a gas appliance is not working safely. 

Do not use any gas appliances that show signs of the above, have them checked by a qualified LPG Gas Safe Registered engineer.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be mistaken for other holiday ailments, such as food poisoning, dehydration or a hangover. 

Remember the six main symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, and loss of consciousness.

Fit a carbon monoxide detector to your LAV, mobile home, or log cabin it could save a life.

Think you can smell gas?

If it’s safe to do so, turn off the gas at the source, IE the gas bottles.

Extinguish any naked flames.

Leave the vehicle or property ventilate by open windows and doors and 

Seek medical advice if you feel unwell.

You can also contact the gas provider – consult your local telephone directory for details. 

On caravan sites, the site owner may also have gas safety responsibilities.

To help you quickly find a Gas Safe registered business or engineer, you can use the gas safe register website. 

Simply enter your postcode, select whether the work is domestic or commercial, then select the appliance type and you’ll be given a list of qualified and registered engineers in your area.

Can all gas engineers work on all types of gas appliances?

No. All Gas Safe registered engineers have a list of the work they are qualified to carry out on the back of their Gas Safe Register ID cards. 

The minimum qualification is ‘Pipework,’ however, gas engineers will usually be qualified for a range of gas work.

It’s important to check they are qualified to do the work you need before you use them.

Engineers will have different qualifications, including:

Domestic (homes) and commercial (businesses and factories)

LPG and natural gas.

The engineer’s unique licence number, found on the front of their Gas Safe ID card, allows you to check their current qualifications.

LPG Pigtails are an important part of the gas supply to the appliances, arrange to have yours inspected soon.

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LPG Gas Engineer in Suffolk

 

What is an LPG Gas Engineer in Suffolk?

A gas engineer who works in the Suffolk area of the united kingdom working on both LPG and natural gas domestic appliances.

Firstly, to work on LPG appliances, the engineer must be registered to work on natural gas appliances.

They cannot be gas safe registered for just LPG appliances alone.

 All gas engineers must have the natural gas qualifications first.

We get asked many times, can someone who is gas safe registered able to work on all gas appliances, No is the answer.

I’ll explain all gas engineers take exams every five years for the appliances they want to work on, IE, Cookers, fires and boilers etc.

Most kitchen installers, for instance, will have Gas Safe registration for hobs and cookers for Natural Gas only and not LPG.

If they want to fit LPG hobs and cookers, they will need to sit another set of exams. They will need the Cooker and hob LPG qualification.

Because they have the natural gas cookers and hobs certificate registration, they cannot work on anything else.

If they want to work on, let’s say, gas boilers, they have to sit the boiler exam first.

What people do not realise is to be LPG gas safe registered is expensive and time-consuming.

Each year the gas engineer has to re-register with the Gas Safe register.

Registration also comes at a cost.

They also may have a site inspection from a Gas safe inspector.

Gas safe inspections are at random you can never tell when you may have a Gas Safe Inspection visit.

All registered Gas engineers have to go through a site visit with a Gas Safe Inspector at some time.

The inspection takes around half a day to complete but will depend on the inspector in question.

Every five years, the gas engineer will have to resit all the gas exams for all of the appliances they work with, no ifs, no buts. 

These exams are mandatory and taken over five days for the natural gas registration and another five days for LPG.

If the gas engineer fails to resit these gas exams or fails an exam, they can no longer work on any gas appliance, LPG and Natural Gas appliances until they take the exams.

Each set of exams is expensive that the engineer has to pay for personally.

That’s around ten days in total loss of work, loss of earnings, cost of all the exams.

So you see, to be an LPG Gas Engineer in Suffolk comes at a cost.

It’s not easy to find an LPG gas engineer in Suffolk as you would with a natural gas engineer.

Your best place to find an LPG engineer is the Gas Safe Register, which has all the details of every gas engineer registered in the united kingdom.

The Gas Safe Register has a contact number (0800 408 5500) for you to use if you cannot find an LPG Engineer in your area.

Be aware of anyone claiming to be Gas Safe registered.

All gas engineers have an identity card issued from the Gas Safe Register.

Ask if you can see the engineers gas safe card when they arrive at your property.

If the engineer cannot show you their card, you should ask them to leave.

On the front of the card, you will see a long number like a credit card.

This number is the engineer’s unique Gas licence number.

Another check is to check the expiry date of the engineer’s card. All cards get renewed every year.

The expiry date is the 31st of March every year. All gas engineers cards will expire on this date unless they need to resit their five-year gas exams.

Always ensure you check the expiry date of their card.

While looking at the card, you will see the engineers gas safe registration number.

You can check these numbers on the Gas Safe website.

It’s always best to check this to ensure the gas engineer is who they say they are.

Another reason to check the register is to ensure they are still registered to work.

Some claim to be Gas Safe Registered when they are not. They may have been removed from the register but still have their gas safe card.

You can see how important it is to check the Gas Engineers Gas Safety card.

You will see when searching for an LPG Gas Engineer in Suffolk, not many LPG engineers are available.

One of the main reasons is the cost and time involved to become LPG registered, also the expense just for natural gas registration.

So what’s the difference between LPG and Natural Gas?

LPG appliances work on a higher pressure (37MB), Natural gas appliances work on 20MB pressure.

Let’s say you buy a new gas hob for your mobile home. Most mobile homes gas supply is propane (LPG).

You cannot remove the old hob and replace it with the new one unless it is an LPG supplied one.

Before swapping over, it needs the gas jets changed from Natural Gas to LPG.

Your gas engineer will be able to carry out the conversion for you.

I have had customers in the past say, what’s the difference it is a gas appliance?

Yes, it is a gas appliance, but it needs to be for the correct type of gas IE LPG.

Fitting a Natural Gas Appliance on an LPG supply without converting will result in very high and dangerous flames.

LPG gas jets are half the size of Natural Gas jets.

If we came across an appliance like this on a Gas Safety Inspection, it would be deemed immediately dangerous.

The appliances would be disconnected from the gas supply and made safe.

Then, we issue a gas safe warning notice certificate, required by law. 

Issuing this certificate, the engineer is covering themselves as well as details of the faults found.

Every LPG Gas Engineer in Suffolk will do the same safety must always come first.

I hope you can see from above that an LPG Gas Engineer in Suffolk is not just a plumber but a Gas Safe Registered Gas Engineer.

Who is Registered to work on both LPG and natural gas domestic appliances?

I wrote this article to give you a small insight into what an LPG Gas engineer LPG goes through to work legally.

Last but not least, Gas in the wrong hands is dangerous.

Always use a registered gas engineer for whatever your gas work may be.

Never use a friend or neighbour unless they are gas safe registered.

Stay Gas Safe, Till the next time.

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Gas safety questions relating to mobile homes.

Sometimes be a little confusing to the gas user.

Below are just a few questions we get asked.

Question one:

Do I need to have a gas safety inspection on my mobile home every year?

This all depends on the park your mobile home is located in.

Most mobile home parks now require you to have a gas safety inspection carried out every 12 months.

The main reason behind this is safety, not just for you but for the other mobile homes users sited close to yours.

Another reason is many parks insurance companies now require this as part of their insurance cover.

It may also be a requirement of your mobile home insurance, so check your policy, if unsure, speak to your insurance company.

It’s always good to have an annual inspection just for peace of mind.

Question 2: 

I only use my mobile home for four weeks a year, the rest of the year it stands empty so do I still need a gas safety inspection?

All the more reason to have an inspection carried out, when an appliance is not used regularly it could become dangerous.

If the appliance is let’s say a water heater, the flue pipe could become blocked with leaves and such.

Which when operating could leak products of combustion into the room.

Products of combustion otherwise known as carbon monoxide.

As we all know, It is a silent killer, you cannot see it or even smell it.

The same applies to any gas fires installed in the mobile home these also have a flue that removes the products of combustion.

The on and off taps on cookers and hobs tend to get stuck and can sometimes leak gas if trying to force the tap on.

Grease within the taps tends to dry out if not used every day.

Question 3:

Why do I need all those ventilation grills that are fitted everywhere?

Can I not just block them off as the wind blow through them?

Whatever you do, never block off any ventilation grills, they are classed as a working part of the gas appliances.

I’ll explain, let’s take the water heater for an example. 

Most LPG water heaters fitted in mobile homes are known as conventional flued appliances.

This means when the water heater is working, it requires fresh air (Oxegen) to burn correctly, lack of fresh air, the appliance could become dangerous.

Question 4:

I have been told I need to change the hoses on my gas bottles every five years, is this true?

Yes, The hoses that connect to your gas bottles are known as pigtails. 

Over time they will deteriorate as they are exposed to the elements of the weather.

They should be inspected to ensure they are not leaking gas and replaced if any cracks or damage are found. They can become brittle over time.

The changeover valve that the pigtails connect too, should also be inspected and replaced every ten years.

Both the pigtails and changeover valve have date stamps on them, so it’s easy to determine their age.

Question 5:

I have been told that if I rent out my mobile home I need to have a landlords safety inspection carried out even if it’s for one day, is this correct?

The UK law states that any property rented out, be it a mobile home or your main residents must have a CP12.

This is known as a (Landlords Gas Safety Inspection) and must be carried out even if it’s rented for one day.

Question 6:

I have been told that I cannot install side panels around my mobile home it’s against the law. 

Why is this because I see loads of other mobile homes with side panels?

You can fit side panels around your mobile, but you must have ventilation grills fitted to each panel.

The main reason is if you fit panels with no vents, you could be starving the floor vents of oxygen within your mobile home.

As stated before these vents are there for a reason, so you can see it’s very important to ensure you fit vents to the side panel.

Question 7:

Can I fit my new cooker myself or do I need someone who is gas safe registered to carry out the installation?

All gas appliances natural gas or LPG must be installed by a registered gas engineer by law.

If the appliance is LPG, they must be registered to work on LPG. 

If they are only registered for natural gas they cannot work on LPG.

There is a myth that you can fit your own LPG appliance yourself because the mobile home is only classed as temporary accommodation.

Should you carry out any LPG work yourself and something happens you could find yourself in front of a judge.

Question 8:

I sometimes smell gas when using my cooker, is this dangerous?

If you ever smell gas you should isolate the gas supply straight away. 

It does not matter how small you may think the leak may be.

LPG is heavier than air and will fall to ground level, this means it could build up behind a kitchen cupboard.

If you think you can smell gas, Isolate first, then call in a registered gas engineer to locate and fix the leak.

Mobile home gas safety is all about your SAFETY and the people around you.

The above questions are just a few of what we get asked about.

There are many more but that would be another article.

We hope you found this article helpful in your search for mobile home gas safety questions.

If you have a question you would like an answer to, use our contact form above to post your question.

Remember, SAFETY is more important than money, so contact your local LPG gas registered engineer and arrange your gas safety inspection.

Water Heater Problems

 

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  Duval Heating Morco Water Heater

  Table of contents

  • Identifying Problems and Solutions for the Common Hot Water Heater faults.
    •  No Hot Water
      • The Pilot Light has gone off.
      • Try to Relight the Pilot!
      • Thermocouple is faulty
      • Replace The Thermocouple
    • Your Water Is Not Hot Enough
      • Thermostat Troubles
      • Check and Adjust Your Temperature Settings
      • Water Heater Flue in Need of Repair
      • Check that all Vents are clean and clear.
      • Water Leaking from Your Hot Water Heater.
      • To find a Gas Safe engineer check the Gas Safe register online.

  Identifying Problems and Solutions for the Common Hot Water Heater faults.

  LPG or propane water heaters are not very cut-and-dry not just because they heat the water. There can be several causes that create the same problem.

   No Hot Water

  You turn on the hot tap or shower only to the water is cold.

  Cold showers even doing dishes in cold water can disrupt your daily life. 

  Below are some likely causes that may lead you closer to a solution.

  Be sure to read through, if in doubt call an expert.

  The Pilot Light has gone off.

  Pilot lights ignite the burner that heats the water, if the pilot goes out or will not stay alight, you will be without hot water

  Try to Relight the Pilot!

  Depending on your water heater, you will need a lighter or you may have a built-in electronic ignitor.

  You should see the instructions printed on the outside of your water heater casing which will explain how to light the pilot. 

  You can also search online for your make of water heater and download the instructions.

  Follow the instructions but don’t try to rush, once you see the pilot alight you will normally need to wait 30 seconds for the pilot to hold.

  Thermocouple is faulty

  The thermocouple is a safety device that senses when the pilot light is on.

  Think of a thermocouple like a traffic light. It gives the “green light” for the gas valve to release gas to the main burner.

  However, the thermocouple might incorrectly signal that the pilot light is out, stopping gas from reaching the main burner. 

  No gas to the main burner means no hot water.

  Replace The Thermocouple

  You will not need to drain the heater to replace this part.

  Replacing the thermal coupling yourself is not advised gas in the wrong hands can be dangerous.

  Always, always use an expert who is gas safe registered for LPG to replace the thermocouple.

  Have your gas pressure checked to ensure the water heater is getting the correct flow of gas?

  Sometimes the problem is caused by something as simple as an empty gas tank or bottle.

  Your Water Is Not Hot Enough

  Water Heater Problems.

  You start running a bath or shower when the steady stream of hot water suddenly turns cold with no warning. 

  The bathwater or shower is not hot, it’s not cold either. It’s just…lukewarm.

  Lukewarm, It’s practically synonymous with dissatisfaction! 

  You are dissatisfied with the temperature of your water the root of your problem could be one of the following:

  Thermostat Troubles

  Some thermostats are typically built into the gas valve, and cannot be replaced without replacing the whole gas valve.

  Some water heaters have simple little sensors that are easy to replace.

  If replacing the valve is a viable option, you should first consider other factors that may have contributed to your temperature problem.

  Check and Adjust Your Temperature Settings

  Check your hot water temperature settings. 

  The appropriate temperature settings should be detailed in the owner’s manual. 

  Keep in mind the danger of increasing your water temperature. 

  Your risk of burns increases with every ten degrees that you go above the standard temperature.

  Water Heater Flue in Need of Repair

  Your LPG or propane water heater depends on airflow to burn safely, just like any fire needs oxygen. 

  If there is a lack of air flowing to the burner, it will not heat the water as efficiently.

  When the gas is burned off, the flue removes the products of combustion up through the flue and distributed through to the atmosphere.

  Sometimes this gaseous journey can be disrupted by a misdirected draft, an obstruction, even a blocked flue.

  Blocked air vents can also be highly dangerous due to carbon monoxide that cannot escape if vents are restricted.

  Check that all Vents are clean and clear.

  You can do this by checking nothing is restricting any of the vents.

  LPG or Propane water heaters have a pipe called a flue pipe, it removes all the products of combustion.

  This pipe is only held together with screws, so it should be easy to remove a section of pipe and check for any blockages.

  Make sure the water heater is off before removing sections of the flue pipe. 

  If you find a blockage, remove it then reassemble and ensure it is safe.

  Water Leaking from Your Hot Water Heater.

  Water leaks should be repaired by a professional who will be able to carry out safety checks once the leak repaired.

  It’s always best to employ a professional to work on your water heater, this way you that once the repair is completed the water heater is safe to use.

  We all like to try and repair things ourself, but with gas, you should always use a Gas Safe Engineer.

  To find a Gas Safe engineer check the Gas Safe register online.

  Always be safe and only use gas safe for all your Water Heater Problems.

  Water Heater Problems can sometimes be simple to rectify, but if not call an expert.

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