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With full recognition of the unique qualities of PROPANE, engineers have gone to great lengths to assure that the product can be used safely in the hands of RVers. The primary considerations in this engineering effort are based on recognition that:
• PROPANE is pressurised in the cylinder.
• PROPANE will easily vaporise if released.
• PROPANE is heavier than air, thus it will settle in low points of the RV if released.
• PROPANE liquid will expand measurably when heated.
Australian Design Rule 44.8.2 states that liquefied petroleum gas (Propane) installations in motorhomes and caravans shall comply with the requirements of the “Code Governing the Installation in Caravans of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Equipment and Appliances” issued by the Australian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association. i.e. AS 5601 - 2004
Living with PROPANE systems in our RVs is just about the easiest possible thing that we can do. The RVer simply has to turn on the system by opening the valve(s) on the top of the gas cylinder(s). The rest is virtually automatic. The system is ready for use. There are shutoff valves located at the individual appliances but these are to be used only to isolate that specific appliance should it malfunction or need repair or servicing. The rest of the time those shutoff valves are left ON. The individual appliances may also require that a switch be turned ON or that a pilot light be lit before the unit becomes fully functional. Many modern appliances, including cook tops, stoves, refrigerators and water heaters, are equipped with pilot-less systems to conserve PROPANE and to eliminate the heat load produced by the pilot in the RV. If the appliance requires lighting the pilot, be certain that you practise that operation when the conditions are good. A good place to start is with the directions that came with the appliance. Note also that if the RV has not been used for some time with the PROPANE shut off that it might take a while for good gas to reach the pilot burner; however, if the appliance does not light after a reasonable amount of time once you smell the distinctive odour of PROPANE at the appliance you should take it in for service.
The RVer should also make certain that all the safety detectors provided with the RV are in good working condition. This includes the LPG leak detector and the smoke alarm(s). If battery-operated, carry spare batteries to assure that these vital safety devices are functioning correctly at all times the RV is occupied. The refrigerator in many RVs uses 240v AC electricity or PROPANE to maintain the refrigerator at a cold temperature. Such units are referred to as two-way units. Most refrigerators can also use a 12v DC source of electricity making them a three-way unit. In general these units are designed (prioritised) to use 240v AC power when it is available as it is the cleanest, most effective and economical power source and it operates without noise or distraction. When 240v AC is not available such as when parked without power or driving down the highway it will be necessary to switch over to PROPANE or 12v DC. (If your RV is equipped with an inverter you may run your fridge on 240v AC whilst travelling). Whilst bush camping the refrigerator should be switched over to PROPANE to maintain a cold temperature. Whilst driving on the highway 12v DC should be used. The logic here is that the power requirements of a refrigerator are so high that a 12v DC source (batteries) would be quickly depleted running the refrigerator while bush camping. The use of PROPANE for refrigeration while driving bothers many RVers and some experts in the field. In order to do this the PROPANE system must be on, thus, it provides gas throughout the RV potentially creating a dangerous condition should there be an accident or if a leak develops. For this reason many experts recommend that the PROPANE system be shut down while travelling by shutting off the valve(s) on the top of the cylinder(s). In the case of a two-way unit this will leave the refrigerator without a power source; however, by keeping it tightly closed and limiting the time spent in this condition it is generally possible to keep it cool enough to prevent food damage, etc. In many cases the refrigerator may be run on 240v AC via an inverter.
There are no laws restricting the use of PROPANE system whilst in transit so it is an individual RVer’s decision to determine if he/she wishes to operate with or without the PROPANE in use. It is interesting to note that in some countries, including the USA, there are some tunnels that prohibit PROPANE systems from being used while travelling in the tunnel or restrict PROPANE carrying vehicles from using the tunnel or bridge. This is logical based on the knowledge that PROPANE is heavier than air and will, therefore, settle into low points possibly collecting until the concentration reaches the proper ratio for combustion or explosion.
When it comes to time to refuel your RV the PROPANE system must once again be shut down for safety. This is best accomplished at the cylinder valve. The obvious purpose of this precaution is to eliminate a potential source of ignition should a petrol or diesel fuel spill occur. This is only required if you travel with the PROPANE system open and functioning.
Propane Safety
safeTy is vitally important for anybody working with or using PROPANE and its systems. PROPANE is flammable, explosive under pressure and can freeze human skin if the liquid comes into direct contact. Performing preventative maintenance of the entire RV PROPANE system and maintaining a constant alertness is all that is required from the RVer when using PROPANE systems. The RV PROPANE system can be rather complex with many appliances, safety devices, gas cylinders and the essential distribution system. For the most part RV manufacturers do not have a recommended maintenance schedule for the PROPANE system, yet many experts suggest that the entire PROPANE system should be checked at least once a year, whenever a condition is suspected and prior to every trip after the RV has been in storage.
The annual check of the entire RV PROPANE system can be accomplished by a professional RV service technician, or licensed gas fitter, all at once by using a leak detector device attached adjacent to the regulator. When all of the PROPANE appliances are shut off any leakage, as indicated by small bubbles or pressure loss, should be investigated and corrected prior to RV usage. A testing of the PROPANE system’s operating pressure and lock-up pressure should be undertaken with adjustment or repair completed as indicated.
The test of the PROPANE system following a significant storage period is quite similar in that the system is leak tested as a complete system and each appliance is functionally tested as well. What is different is that the physical system is carefully reviewed to assure that no insect(s) has found its way into the various orifices and vents where they might adversely affect the operations of the appliance or become a fire hazard when the system is used.
The final factor in our preventative maintenance program is to seek a system check by professionals whenever we suspect that something is wrong. Any malfunction of a PROPANE appliance such as a pilot light that will not stay lit or a refrigerator that does not cool properly might be an alert that your PROPANE system requires professional service by a licensed gas fitter. If your gas leak detector (if equipped) sounds an alert, even if it is only momentary, have the system checked. The most common cause of such suspicions is when we detect the pungent (garlic) odour associated with PROPANE. The odour is purposely put into PROPANE to provide us with an olfactory indication that there is something wrong. Note, however, that there are conditions when the smell of PROPANE or our ability to detect it is missing. Please consider that:
• Some people (especially the elderly) are unable to detect the smell of PROPANE gas.
• Colds, allergies, sinus congestion and the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs may diminish your sense of smell.
• Cooking odours or other strong odours can mask the smell of gas.
• On rare occasions, PROPANE gas may lose its distinctive odour. This is called “Odour Fade”. Air, water and rust in a PROPANE cylinder may weaken the gas odour, especially if the valves were left open after the cylinder was emptied.
• PROPANE gas can lose its odour if a leak occurs underground.
• Odorant in a leaking gas can be absorbed by various materials (unpainted or untreated masonry, rough wall surfaces, furniture, fabrics and drapes) and by the walls of gas piping and seldom used PROPANE storage containers and distribution systems.
Please consider that some people wrongly believe that the smell of PROPANE is a signal that their cylinder is nearly empty and should be refilled. When a cylinder is low you may get a momentary whiff of gassy smell when stovetop burners are ignited; however, if the smell of gas lasts more than an instant, then the continuing gas odour means that you may have a serious PROPANE gas leak. Any persistent gassy smell is your signal to TAKE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY ACTION. The potential consequences of a PROPANE leak are so severe that we must be ever vigilant and never overlook the subtlest clue that something is amiss. Next month we will look at “Electrical Safety”.
The above text is taken from extracts of the book ‘The RVer’s Ultimate Survival Guide’ with acknowledgements to Neil LeKander (original author), Peter Wallis, Peter Anderson, Peter Bullock, Peter Gosbell, Guy Minter, Malcolm Street and in particular Collyn Rivers who gave permission to reproduce extracts from his book ‘The Campervan & Motorhome Book’.
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