Boat Safety Scheme

Calor's dedication to the safe use of LPG on board boats has long been reflected through the publication of advice in the "Blue Water Yachtsmen" notes over a number of years. However, the introduction of the British Waterways/Environment Agency "Boat Safety Scheme" in 1993, laid down standards that apply to ALL vessels with LPG installations, so that they comply with requirement based upon BS5482 "Domestic Butane and Propane Gas-burning installations, Part3: Installation in Boats, Yachts and other Vessels".

This may all sound a little heavy-handed but much of what this includes is already covered by advice given elsewhere in this booklet. But to ensure that you are made more fully aware of the standards expected, we have drawn heavily on the content of the Boat Safety Scheme Standards and Guidance Notes publications, particularly sections 7 and 8 covering LPG installations and Appliances.

The following points are not intended to be a fully comprehensive guide to the technical background, or provide details of the standards themselves, but are intended to give boat owners practical advice on how to meet the Scheme's minimum Safety standards. They apply to boats intended for use on inland waterways only but represent sound guidance for ocean - going vessels too.

Important general points to remember are that all new installations and appliances fitted in vessels built after 3^rd January 2000 will be expected to comply with the full requirements of the new British Standard. Boats manufactured prior to 3^rd January 2000 fitted with existing appliances will be exempt except where modifying or replacing appliances, which must the comply with the new standard. The key elements are that:

To protect owners of existing boats from retrospective application of the full British Standard, where older type appliances are already fitted, the Boat Safety Scheme has insisted that certain provisions should be built into the British Standard. These include:

5.1 The European Recreational Craft Directive came into full effect on 16 June 1998, from, when new professionally built boats will have to comply with minimum safety standards and be "CE" marked to comply. Examination schemes have been introduced to check equipment safety, but boats manufactured prior to this date will be expected to comply with the above British Standard and are deemed to do so, provided there are no faults recorded under parts 7 and 8 of the Boat Safety Scheme requirements. The installation must pass the burner flame test and there must be adequate ventilation (see 5.13). For existing boats only, the running Pressure Test of BS5482 is not carried out, as a gas system is acceptable if, when all the burners are lit, the flames are steady and are of the correct proportions.

A Technical manual containing all the detail needed to achieve the standard is available from the Boat Safety Scheme section.

5.2 GAS CYLINDER LOCKERS

Gas cylinders should be stowed in dedicated locker which must be gas-tight to the height of the regulator and valve (see best practice installation) . such a compartment or box shall be above the waterline (see best practice installation) with gas proof and flame retarding sides and bottom, have a lid or cover and allow for escaping gas to be vented overboard. The compartment or box should be constructed of sheet of 0.9mm (20w.g.) minimum thickness, with joins welded or brazed, or fire-retarded glass fibre reinforced plastic of adequate thickness and have a fire resistance of 30 minutes. All containers should be installed in an upright position with the valve uppermost and not be adjacent to any cooking or heating appliance, or in an engine, fuel or battery compartment (see best practice installation) .

5.3 CYLINDER STORAGE

For existing boats, cylinders may stowed on brackets or shelves fixed to the outside face of the transom, but this is not recommended practice. In these circumstances the cylinders, regulators and associated pipework must be protected from mechanical damage in the event of a collision and be ventilated to allow escaping gas to flow directly overboard. Cylinders can be stowed on deck providing that any escaping gas cannot enter the interior of the vessel. Cylinders on deck should be approximately 1m away from hatches or openings into the boat, which should not be in the path of escaping gas, as LPG is heavier than air. In all cases the cylinders must be secured to prevent excessive movement (see marine gas safety) .

5.4 MAIN GAS VALVE

The gas locker containing the cylinders and main gas valve may be padlocked when the boat and gas installation are not in use and turned off, providing the position of the main gas valve is clearly marked. When the boat is in use, the locker should be left unlocked so that ready access to the main gas valve is provided at all times (see marine gas safety) .

5.5 REULATORS AND HOSES

Pressure regulators may be mounted either separately from the cylinders or with a direct connection to the cylinder(s) (see preferred method 2.2.3). Those not directly connected to the cylinders have to be securely fixed and suitably protected within the compartment. In both cases a flexible hose to BS3212/2 (see 2.2.4) shall be fitted to facilitate the replacement of cylinders. Check the nominal outlet pressure of the regulator and ensure that it is compatible with the inlet pressure of the appliance. Regulators marked in imperial units or more than 10 years old (check the date of manufacturer on the body or union nut) should be replaced. The hose should only be used in the gas locker and for connections inside the vessel between an isolation tap and a portable appliance, domestic cooker, refrigerator or gimballed cooker and should be of minimum practicable length, but no more than 1m long. Each point intended for use with a portable appliance must be provided with a readily accessible isolation tap and bayonet or screwed connection. Pressure regulators of the external manual adjustment type shall not be fitted.

5.5.1 Where self contained portable gas appliances having the burner screwed directly to the gas container used (a Camping Gaz light for instance), such appliances should be stored in a compartment or locker constructed in accordance with the standard in 5.2 above and not to be used whilst unattended on board any vessel.

5.5.2 No rules exist at present to replace hosing at regular intervals, but our advice would be change it every five years from the date stamped on Calor hose. They should in any case be replaced if there are signs of:

If none of these signs are present, the hose will be deemed acceptable, but you should regularly check its condition and if in any doubt or if there is no date stamp, replace it.

5.5.3 The use of worm-drive clamps is permitted on hose connections but care should be taken to ensure they are of the correct size for the purpose. If a clamp is too large it may not make a proper seal and could lead to a connection leaking. Too small a clamp may not be gripping on the worm and may also cause the hose to be unnecessarily pinched, which in time would lead to the hose suffering undue wear. Where worm-drive clamps are used to secure flexible hose, they should comply at least with BS5315 and ensure that:

For examination purposes, these joints have to be capable of being seen and/or manually felt in order to establish whether they are secure and not leaking.

5.6 FIXED PIPEWORK

All fixed pipework other than that which forms an integral part of gas burning appliances, should be made of solid drawn copper or stainless steel. Copper pipe should be to BSEN1057 (previously BS2871). Thin wall copper pipe, normally used for water is not suitable for bending and is not recommended.

5.6.1 All fixed pipework shall be as short and run as high as practicable (under the gunwale is ideal). It should be adequately protected against mechanical damage and deterioration and be rigidly secured at approximately 500mm intervals (see Calor's recommendations 6.11). A longer pipe run is preferred to a more direct (shorter) route, if this reduces exposure of the pipe to accidental damage. Pipework should be installed above bilge water level and be approximately 30mm away from electric cables (unless the cables are in a conduit) and at least 75mm from exhaust pipes and other sources of heat. Pipework can run through-petrol engine compartments, dedicated battery or electrical compartments providing it is:

(An electrical compartment is an enclosed specifically designed to contain electrical equipment eg. distribution boards, generators etc.)

5.6.2 Any in-line joint in straight gas pipe runs will be considered as not keeping joints to a minimum. Make sure you have the right length of pipe between appliances so that an in-line joint becomes unnecessary. Any joints should be made with compression fittings, be rigidly secured and be readily accessible for inspection. Soldered joints in rigid gas piping are not allowed.

5.7 GAS TEST POINT

Testing for leaks will be carried out during examination and will normally require access to a test point, either specially fitted in the low pressure side of the system or on an appliance, so that an examiner/surveyor can test for leaks. For existing privately owned boats (those not let out or plying for hire in the course of business) an acceptable alternative method for leak testing is with a bubbler device (see marine gas safety) . These have the added advantage of owners being able to regularly and easily check the system for leaks themselves.

For existing boats, a running pressure test (see 5.1) is not being carried out in the examination, but there is a need to provide the means to test that the system is sound. Some older appliances and all new appliances already have test points fitted, or the injector to a burner can be used for testing when the body of the burner is removed. These may be used for testing purposes, providing the examiner/surveyor has easy access to fit or use a test gauge.

5.8 APPLIANCES

The following standards under the Boat Safety Scheme apply to all vessels fitted with cooking, heating, refrigerating and lighting appliances, which should have been installed under and comply with, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (see marine gas safety and best practice installation).

In addition, under BS5482-3, the need for all LPG appliances to be room sealed, has been introduced, with the exception of cooking appliances (see section 5 introduction and 5.13). All new appliances replacing existing or non serviceable appliances on older vessels must be replaced with room sealed ones that also have a flame failure device, to meet the full requirements of the new British Standard (see section 5 introduction for exemptions)

5.8.1 Great care should be taken when using gas fired appliances aboard petrol-engined vessels. Petrol vapour is extremely dangerous and for this reason it would be difficult but not impossible for any gas refrigerator other than a room sealed appliance to be safety installed in a petrol engined boat in accordance with the manufacturers requirements. The exception would be where the pilot lights and/or burner on gas refrigerators are completely enclosed. Air for combustion must be:

1. Drawn and exhausted through an approved flame trap or

2. Piped to be the appliance from outside the vessel or from a point inside the vessel above the level of the ports, windows or other means of ventilation, in the compartment in which the appliance is installed.

LPG appliances MUST NOT be installed in the engine space in petrol-engined vessels.

5.9 CATALYIC HEATERS

If you have an older boat with catalytic heater fitted prior to 1983, check the makers name and model as the AGNI, SUPER SER and CORCHO brands manufactured by impact heating (UK) Ltd contain asbestos. The Minister of Consumer Affairs places a Prohibition Notice on these heater that years, which means that SUSPECT HEATER SHOULD BE TOUCHED - EVEN WHEN WEARING GLOVES. The correct procedure should be to contact the Local Authority for disposal of catalytic heaters contaminated with asbestos.

Nowadays these type of heater must comply with the requirements of BS5258, part 11, the following elements of which will be visually checked:

• Provision of a guard which cannot be removed without the use of tools.

• 3- position OFF - IGNITE - ON tap.

• Fitting of a name badge to include the model type and number of the appliance.

• Clear operating instructions.

All catalytic type appliances with pilot lights or having continuously burning flames, must incorporate a flame failure device to cut off the gas supply to the main and pilot burners. If the catalytic heater is portable, the flexible hose serving the appliance should be as short as practicably possible, but in any event, should not exceed 1m. For craft which are let or ply for hire in the course of a business, unflued catalytic heaters should not be installed in sleeping quarters designed solely for that purpose.

5.10 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS

Woodwork and all other combustible materials including curtains adjacent to all appliances must suitably insulated or inherently flame-retarded to protect against excessive heat. These should be a gap of at least 25mm between any appliance and any surface which is likely to reach 50c or over. Laminated plastic eg. Formica can be accepted as a fire retardant when fixed in the vertical position.

5.10.1 Materials in the vicinity of cooking appliances should be non combustible or protected with a class 1 surface spread of flame rating finish, as specified in BS476-7. Combustible and non combustible materials without a class 1 surface spread of flame rating, should not be placed within the following distances of cooking appliances:

1. 400mm above the cooking appliances for horizontal surfaces when the vessel is upright.

2. 200mm above the cooking appliance for horizontal surfaces when the vessel is healed to 30^o.

3. 125mm horizontally from the cooking appliance for vertical surfaces.

Curtains and other suspended textile materials should not be fitted within 600mm of a cooking appliance.

5.11 SECURING OF APPLIANCES

All permanently installed domestic cooking, heating, lighting or refrigerating appliances should be secured in order to eliminate undue strain on pipework or fittings. They should be installed so that they are:

• Level from side to side and front to back.

• Secured i.e. incapable of movement in any direction unless in gimbals.

• Not set flush unless so designed.

Removable fixings such as hooks and chains may be used to allow cookers and refrigerators to be removed for cleaning or servicing, provided the arrangements prevent the appliance from toppling over in rough weather conditions or a collision.

5.12 FLUES

Every LPG appliances which requires a flue (and where fitted, a draught diverter), should be of an approved type and properly fitting and maintained. Typical appliances would be single and multi-point instantaneous water heaters supplying a bath or shower and any appliance with a flue spigot. The flue must be of an adequate internal diameter and be effectively insulated and of suitable material to ensure the safe passage of gases to the outside of the vessel. The flue cowl must also be sufficiently robust to prevent accidental damage.

5.13 VENTILATION

In vessels where LPG fuel is used, a fixed ventilation system that can neither be adjusted nor closed, must be provided in accordance with the requirements of BS 5482 part 3. However, vessels that regularly proceed to sea and are likely to experience severe weather conditions may have ventilators, which can be closed to prevent the ingress of water in such conditions. But there is a need to exercise extreme caution if closing down ventilation in boats, when appliances a re operating (see marine gas safety). Sea going vessels equipped with closeable ventilators must have a warning notice attached on or near all non-room sealed appliances, the wording on which should state:

WARNING - Open ventilator(s) before use.

A minimum ventilation area of 4000mm sq. (6.2in sq.) is required where LPG appliances are installed and should be increased depended on the number and type of appliances on board. Provision of fixed ventilation does not displace or reduce the normal adjustable ventilation provided by openable windows, port holes roof lights or hatches, but the area of this type of ventilation must not be included in the minimum area required for fixed ventilation. If, as should be the case, your gas installation has been professionally installed (see 3.1 and 6.1) , the engineer will have ensured that the correct areas will have been calculated to adequately ventilate each compartment. In doing so, he will have compiled with the requirement to split the ventilation equally between high level (cabin roof) and low level of lowest burner). Ventilation to low level can be achieved by spillage of cold air from vents in doors and/or bulkheads by means of ducting from a higher level.