We are off to the frozen North Scotland in Feb. The floor vents under the bunks bring a howling draft into the van. As we only heat with electric and have the skylight slightly open at night, can any one see a problem with blocking them off on a tempory basis?
Floor Vents
- Thread starter MattA_5041025
- Start date
Can you put anything over them to re-direct the air? I don't know what they are like but I would imagine that that would be a better option...
Hello Matt. The ventilation slots that have no means of closing are included in the caravan to meet the construction regulations that require a ceratin amount of fixed ventilation. Closing them even temporarily will probably lead to increased condensation, and may lead to Carbon monoxide generation and retention in the caravan if you use the cooker which has open flames.
We have blocked floor vents for this reason,usually with rolled up socks.We even sold one van with them still in situ.The later vans we have owned have much fewer vents fitted now.So long as you leave any near gas water heaters and under the cooker etc I can't see any reason why not
I have noted the reply from John G. I have done considerable work in the caravan industry related to heating and ventilation in caravans. I know from experiments we have carried out that modern caravans actually seal their doors and windows quite well, and if the fixed ventilation is also closed off, You will note that the atmosphere becomes "muggy" quite quickly, and condensation is produced. In addition if an open flame device such as a cooker/oven is used there is a significantly increased danger of unsafe levels of Carbon monoxide (which is tasteless and odourless) being developed in side the caravan. The problem is much greater than in house, because of the smaller volume of the living space, better overall sealing, and the tendency to have several people in the confined space. The ventilation is there for a good reason. Please do not block it.
I have/had a heating problem with a customers 1993 Lunar Staturn...the fire will only raise the outside temperature by about 8degsC. The fire and Fanmaster both work well..so what is the problem?.
BS/EN721/1999 as ammended 2004,(Leisure Accommodation Vehicles Safety Ventilation Requirements), states; minimum low level ventilation for vans in this case with 5 to 10 square metres of floor space is 1500sq mm or in real terms an opening of 100x15mm which is but a fraction of the standard door vents capacity. High level ventilation requires more and in this case it is 10,000sq mm which should be taken care of by the permanent ventilation of one closed rooflight which is of the order of 12000mm square even with the blind shut.
While I fully agree that removing the required amount of ventilation is folly to say the least, it would appear that under older standards...excessive low level ventilation was installed providing too rapid an air change.
The Lunar in addition to the door vent has two, (ventilation air not gas drop holes), floor vents one front and one rear which when prevented from directly entering the living space allowed the temperature in the van to rise quickly, reaching for the first time an acceptable level...and under the current BS/EN721 standard is now considered perfectly safe...the remaining ventilation being well in access of the minimum requirement. It is also worth pointing out that a minimum is just that and if this became blocked would cause a problem so an adequate alternate air supply must be catered for.
For smaller vans up to 5msq the minimum figures are 7500 and 1000, and larger caravans/motorhomes, 10 to 15msq floor area = 12500 high and 2000 low. 15 to 20msq = 15000 and 3000 respectively.
BS/EN721/1999 as ammended 2004,(Leisure Accommodation Vehicles Safety Ventilation Requirements), states; minimum low level ventilation for vans in this case with 5 to 10 square metres of floor space is 1500sq mm or in real terms an opening of 100x15mm which is but a fraction of the standard door vents capacity. High level ventilation requires more and in this case it is 10,000sq mm which should be taken care of by the permanent ventilation of one closed rooflight which is of the order of 12000mm square even with the blind shut.
While I fully agree that removing the required amount of ventilation is folly to say the least, it would appear that under older standards...excessive low level ventilation was installed providing too rapid an air change.
The Lunar in addition to the door vent has two, (ventilation air not gas drop holes), floor vents one front and one rear which when prevented from directly entering the living space allowed the temperature in the van to rise quickly, reaching for the first time an acceptable level...and under the current BS/EN721 standard is now considered perfectly safe...the remaining ventilation being well in access of the minimum requirement. It is also worth pointing out that a minimum is just that and if this became blocked would cause a problem so an adequate alternate air supply must be catered for.
For smaller vans up to 5msq the minimum figures are 7500 and 1000, and larger caravans/motorhomes, 10 to 15msq floor area = 12500 high and 2000 low. 15 to 20msq = 15000 and 3000 respectively.
DO NOT BLOCK ANY VENTS WHATSOEVER.... Vents are there for a reason, some gases fall to the floor or ground, if you seal the vents then what?
Totally unaware of this thread a friend remarked at the weekend that compared with his 7 year old Elddis his new Bailey was much warmer with far less draughts round the floor.
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