Boat Safety Scheme - Standard 7.1 to 7.2

7.1.1 LPG Installation (Not installed to BS 5482 – 3)
The installation has to meet the requirements of BS 5482 – 3. It will be deemed have done so if no faults are found during the examination and recorded in parts 7 and 8 of the BSS.

7.2.1 LPG Cylinders on Open Deck (Leaking gas would not flow overboard)
LPG is heavier than air and will always sink down when free to do so. There should be no “dams” or obstructions for the gas to accumulate behind. The gas should a clear and unobstructed path to allow it to drain overboard.

7.2.2 LPG Cylinders on Open Deck (Not at least 1 metre away from hatches or other openings)
Cylinders, regulators and associated equipment shall be at least 1 metre away from hatches and other openings to prevent the risk of leaking gas finding its way into the boat interior.

7.2.3 LPG Cylinders on Open Deck (Not at least 1 meter away from source of ignition)
Cylinders, regulators and associated equipment shall be at least 1 metre away from potential sources of ignition. They should also be located where there is no risk of leaking gas being ignited. Possible sources of ignition could include pilot lights, installed spark inducing electrical equipment and non-flame proof solenoid shut off valves.

7.2.4 LPG Cylinders not on open deck (Not in a cylinder locker)
Cylinders not stored on cabin tops or outside cockpits must be secured in a cylinder locker.

7.2.5 Cylinder Locker (Not LPG-tight to hull interior at height prescribed)
Cylinder lockers should be LPG tight to the hull interior to at least the height of the cylinder valve, regulator and other associated equipment. This means that if any part of the installation develops a leak it will be contained with the locker and will drain overboard through the drain at the bottom. LPG will find the smallest defect of a locker including cracks, corrosion and welding imperfections as well as holes or other damage.

7.2.6 Cylinder Locker (Not openable only from the top)
LPG is both heavier than air and extremely searching Reliance can not be placed on the effectiveness of any door seal, so lockers should only be openable from the top with no side openings.

7.2.7 Cylinder Locker (Not provided with a lid or cover as prescribed)
Cylinders need to have a lid to prevent damage caused by things being dropped into the locker. They are not required to be LPG tight by they should provide a reasonably amount of protection from the weather. They should be robustly made particularly if they are used as a sit or step.

7.2.8 Cylinder Locker (No provision for ventilation above the level of the cylinders)
Cylinder lockers should be ventilated from outside the vessel to a point above the level of the cylinders. This is to provide warmer air to aid the vaporisation rate of the cylinder as well as help remove any escaped LPG through the drain.

7.2.9 Exemption Applied (11.18)
Apart from hire cruisers licensed with the Broads Authority, vessels manufactured prior to
3 January 2000 are not required to comply with that part of Standard 7.2(ii) which requires
cylinder lockers to be ventilated from outside the vessel to a point above the level of the
cylinders.

7.2.10 Cylinder Locker / Housing (No provision to drain leaked LPG from the lowest point of the locker or housing.)
An LPG drain should be installed in the lowest point of the locker to a point outside the hull above the deepest loaded waterline. The drain must fall continuously to the outside so no gas can accumulate in the drain itself. The drain point in the hull must be above the waterline in all normal states of trim other wise water will lie in the bottom of the locker and the drain will be ineffective.

7.2.11 Exemption Applied (11.19)
11.11 Vessels manufactured prior to 16 June 1998 are not required to comply with Standard 3.7 which requires that all electrical devices fitted in any compartment containing petrol or gas shall be ignition protected in accordance with BS EN Vessels manufactured prior to 3 January 2000 and having a cylinder locker drain as near as practicable to the bottom of the cylinder locker are not required to comply with that part of Standard 7.2(ii) which requires the drain to be provided from the lowest point of the cylinder locker.