Flexible gas pipe

[kbrad]

How often should the gas pipe be replaced,I have the stainless steel covered one in use,the rubber one which came with the caravan when new has never been used.(2017)

 

[otherclive]

Suppliers such as Hamilton or Autogas quote 5 years for rubber and up to 20 years for stainless/ptfe, subject to inspection and taking regard of the specific manufacturers instructions. IE Truma quote 12 years for stainless/ptfe.

 

[birdman101]

Stainless pigtails are usually rated up to 20 years but should be checked on an annual service.

 

[Hutch]

I was told the same by my AWS service engineer.
I was also told it was suggested the regulator should be replaced at 10 years, but I don't know if there are any regulations on that.

 

[Mr Plodd]

I was told the same by my AWS service engineer.
I was also told it was suggested the regulator should be replaced at 10 years, but I don't know if there are any regulations on that.

No regulations but Truma regulators did have a "bit of a reputation" a few years back of failure at about, I think, 6-8 years?? Not sure what the current situation is. Cleese ones seem to be pretty reliable.

 

[toad a caravan]

Rather poetic there Hutch,,"regulations on regulators" perhaps they should be seen regularly 😄

 

[Hutch]

Thanks Toady, for your appreciation of my poetic input. 🥺
Looking into the problems with the regulators, came back to "oily gas" obviously some regulators could handle this others could not.
Maybe it depends on how much you use the gas systems in the caravan.
The regulator in my 2013 Coachman is still ok, but it doesn't get as much use as we did 8 years ago.

 

[IanB1485]

This is a whole can of worms, people often quote opinions as facts whereas there are no SI's(statutory Instruments) regarding 'change at' dates. The Gas installation and use safety regulation do require that the system is 'safe' to use' . The inspecting engineer has to make an evaluation of whether the regulator and pigtail are 'safe' . Obvious issues are condition, leak tightness and performance and recommended 'change at ' life . The manufacturers of regulators and pigtails recommend various 'change at' intervals , as do the various national and international standards , to which these components are compliant , of which they are a few .I've seen regulators 12-15 years still perform ( lock up pressure, working pressure and maintain correct pressure at high flow rates) and some at 18 months to 5 years old fail - oil contamination due to mishandling of the cylinder or inappropriate positioning with regard to regulator height- yes I do cut open failed regulators to see what caused them to fail.Also had one where the diaphragm had split. Similarly with pigtails , some look like they have just been installed, yet are 10-12 years old. The trouble is we can't see inside to look for internal damage( collapse of the inner tube , internal cracks or perishing. I always note the age and the recommendation based on the type and the standard they comply with , but leave it upto the client to decide. Its like tyres they look OK on the outside, lots of tread left and no visible cracking/perishing , but what's going on inside - are the steel bands still intact??. To answer the OP's question there are two types of 'steel' braided . one is actually flexible stainless steel or corrugated stainless steel made to BS EN ISO 10380:2012 has a service life of 20 years , however the second type is actually HP rubber tube with an outer stainless steel braiding and its 'change at' recommend life is still ten years .This type is often used in residential park homes and the steel braiding is there to protect against rodent attack.Unfortunately the rubber ones with steel braiding dont have the standard they are made to stamped on them so on the gas course, the instructor said to treat them as having a 10 year life.My final point is , given the relative low cost of a regulator and pigtail why wouldn't you change it at the recommend 'change at' age , sure beats a gas explosion.