Icemaker,
Thanks for your Support on my Comments, I was begining to think that I had Gone on a Bit. However if you look at my original reply to Gary (19th Oct.) You will see that we both agree that a 1 Metre Flex put's the Barbecue Too near either Van or Awning. And as a Barbecue is only intended to be used attended and Intermittently, this is a good reason to extend this. The important bit was regarding the use of a Permanent and un-attended Fridge. I still maintain that 3+ meters of Live Gas Supply laying in the Grass, feeding an Appliance with a Permanent Gas Flame is an Accident waiting to Happen. LPG. Is Heavier than Air, therefore a Fracture or failure of the Rubber Supply anywhere along it's length, would give rise to a ground level Concentration of unburnt LPG. Firstly, this is not always detectable by Smell, (Heads and Noses are by default, well above this.) and secondly, depending on the thickness of the Grass can be retained in large pockets and will eventually "Creep", in all Directions.
Eventually An Ignition Source will be Found. Possibly the Open Flame on the Portable Fridge. Which by it's very Nature is Not Contained in an Air tight or Room Sealed Box. Of course any other Ignition scource would do, which could be the Balanced Flue Terminal of the Caravan Water Heater, or the Spark Ignitin System on the Same Appliance. Ignition would initially be Explosive, owing to the accumulation of Gas, and dependent on the Conditions would lead to a Primary Fire Consuming this Gas. Possibly followed by a Grass Fire around which the Rubber Pipe is resting. Clearly if the Gas Escape had occured during the Night, it would be quite feasible for the Caravan, along with it's neighbours to be sitting in a "Bath" of LPG. With the Ignition Source being several Yards Distant. Once Ignition Has Occured, Fire Spread is usually Rapid and accelerated by the Rubber Pipe Disolving untill an Open end developes, depending on the position of this total failure, will dicate the stage and the possible fate of the occupents. Even Gas regulated at 28 to 32 mb gives a Very Hot Neat and frightening yellow Torch at least a couple of Metres in Length. Coupled with a Jet Engine type Roar. If the Total Breach and Main Fire occures in the Awning, Escape from the Caravan would be very Difficult or impossible. We now have Two distinct situations 1. A fire involving uncontrolled LPG. And 2. A Fire Involving An Awning, Caravan, or indeed adjacent Units. With the Possibility of People Trapped inside. This of course depends on the Time of Day Or Night. The Fire cannot be Controlled untill the Scource of acceleration has been stopped. Ie. By Turning off the gas. Tell me, how do Civilians, with neither Hose Reels Protective Clothing and in a Blind Panic do this? When 99% of all Gas Cylinders are Located in the Front Locker. From here on I will leave people to form their own oppinions and Finish the saga with whatever Ending they Choose. I Know, how a very similar Situation did end. I personnaly feel that I have done this particular subject to Death. and don't intend to Comment further unless My Proffesional Opinion is Questioned. Since my retirement from the Brigade, I now run my own Fire Consultancy Business. I very often find that I am giving People Advice on a multitude of Subjects. As I get paid for this, I am commited to only giving sound and above all else Safe Advice. I always use Experience gained from My Time in the Brigade, when Assesing Risk. The difference now being, that I can Publicly give an opinion or Comment, where as previously this wasn't allowed by The Fire Service. My Golden Rule here however, is never to give sufficient Detail that would allow a particular Incident to be Identified. It is my pleasure to give freely to this Forum the same benefits. Stay Safe.
Eddie 1. From Nottingham.
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