Remove gas bottle when in storage?

[MikeAce]

Hi all

My storage facility has decided that under new CASSOA guidelines we need to remove our gas bottles every time we drop off the van.

I have decided to ignore the new rules as i believe the more you connect and disconnect the pipework the more chance there is of creating a leak. this is more likely with the new fixed regulator type i would think.

Does anyone have any views on this? has anyone elses storage yard told them the same news?

 

[Val & Frank]

Would agree with your post Mike,

We have not been asked to remove Gas Bottles our van is on a CASSOA site. If you don't comply would they remove the fire insurance cover ???

Frank

 

[Damian]

Disconnecting the cylinder from its pigtail should have little damaging effect on the connection, as long as it is tightened properly when reinstalled.

I can understand the request for removal, as in the event of a fire, it lessens the danger of exploding gas cylinders.

 

[MikeAce]

Thanks for the replies chaps, where as I agree that it shouldnt cause any problems i feel that the more you move a flexible hose that has a rigid connector on each end it puts pressue on the joints, for example, i recently had to change the hose from my shower head to the shower unit, because it sprung a leak at the end of the hose where the rubber hose is bonded to the coupler.

As an old gas engineer as well i have always seen flexible hoses go on the end and not often in the middle.

i think it covers the storage yard thats all, and to be fair, when you are arriving back at the storage yard after a holiday with a fully laden car i would struggle to find space for a gas cylinder unless i put it next to the kiddy seat. (not)

 

[peter_374235415]

I agree, I leave my gas bottle in the van, but I'm not on a CASSOA storage site. My only comments would be that if there were a fire and the owners of the storage compound gave the indication to the emergency services that gas bottles were not on site, you are endangering the lifes of fire fighters and such from potential exploding cylinders. A long shot I know but is it worth the risk to life. I'm not being melodramatic about this but if the rules say no gas bottles then you should really comply - for the sake of a hose is it worth the risk?

 

[Lutz]

Sounds as though this is a case of someone passing the buck. Where would they suggest is a safe place to store the gas bottle? Certainly not at home.

 

[jinty0_0]

i have heard that if the fire services think that there is a gas bottle or bottles within garage or caravans they are not allowed to enter the area for safty reasons. what would then happen if storage yard said to fire fighters there rule is no gas bottles in yard and someone decided to ignore this rule where does this leave the helpless chaps that are there to rescue the rest of vans. think i would be removing my gas bottle for the sake of other people.

is there anyway that the storage yard could have a storage compound for gas bottles, and when you return from your holiday a label of some sort gets attached to the bottle and locked away could be worth a mention to them.

 

[WilliamTups]

The CASSOA storage site I use, says that providing the gas is turned off the gas bottle can stay in the caravan and this site has about 500 caravans there near surrounded by housing.

 

[mostavern]

if that's what the storage site requests that your going to have to go with it or find another site, like someone mentioned earlier insurance and passing the buck, would be horrible for a insurance company not to pay out over something silly, and as for gas bottles in fires they will eventually go off like missiles and will usually get a hose reel on them for a good while in a fire

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

I was always led to believe that the rubber hose should be changed every 2-3 years any way.

Graham W.

 

[MikeAce]

some good points, thanks everyone, lutz, i couldnt agree more about storing them at home.

Rest assured that this rule is something being introduced by CASSOA themselves so all of you storing on one of their sites will be dealing with this problem too in the near future.

They did mention about a lock up for the bottles but as our yard stores about 3000 vans i think the thought of all that lpg together in one lockup was a daunting prospect.

I guess i will have to take it on the chin, its in the new contract and i have signed it, where as i dont really agree with it i will comply to ensure my insurance stays valid and the fire fighters remain as safe as possible should they be called to site.

thanks for all your input everyone.

 

[Val & Frank]

This looks like another not thought through idea.

Lutz pointed out do you store the bottle at Home or what.

I think if the Fire Service was asked would they rather the bottles be on a site of which they are aware of !!! or a possible 6000 bottles spread around garages connected to houses, it would be interesting to see the answer.

Frank