The importance of having all your caravan gas appliances tested at the very least annually, continues to be highlighted recently when a caravanner asked anyone had any ideas about black sooty marks appearing on the outside of the water heater flue and inside, underneath the sitting area in the caravan, along with the smell of fumes. Everybody would realise that a caravan which utilizes Butane or Propane for a fuel source has the very real ability to produce what's become known as " The Silent Killer", or Carbon Monoxide.
Combustion and Carbon Monoxide
Under ideal conditions, When LPG burns, it will only produce Carbon Dioxide and Water (H2O. However when used in heating or cooking every appliance will produce some Carbon Monoxide because the flame touches either the heat exchanger or the pan base. With appliances in good condition and Under normal conditions, this may be a very low level and as long as there is adequate ventilation, particularly when cooking, there is no need to be concerned.
The colour of the gas flame is an indicator of how well it is burning the gas. A good blue flame without any orange present is indicative of perfect combustion, a flame which has yellow or orange in it is not burning all of the gas and Carbon Monoxide Will be produced. Black sooty stains on flue vents or caravan sides or pan bases also is an indication of poor burning and the production of Carbon Monoxide. If you are in doubt about any gas appliance, turn it off and seek qualified help before attempting to use again. The dangers of Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide KILLS, it doesn't give you a second chance. You can't visualize it, smell it or taste it and that's why it has been called the "Silent Killer".
Safe levels are well documented and are expressed as Parts Per Million.
The normal level in your everyday living is 0.2ppm. The absolute maximum level allowed by Law for human contact is 35ppm in an 8 hour period.
At levels of 400ppm and with exposure for 1 to 2 hours the Carbon Dioxide will become life threatening after approx Three hours.
At levels of 800ppm and with exposure for 45 minutes, you're unconscious within 2 hours and with continued exposure, dead within 2 to 3 hours.
At levels of 1600ppm and continuing exposure for 20 minutes you are dead within One hour
At levels of 3200ppm and continuing exposure for 5 to Ten minutes, you will be dead within One hour.
At levels of 6400ppm, death is at 25 to 30 minutes
At levels of 12800ppm, time of death is at One to three minutes.
Staying safe
All gas items ought to be checked and tested at least each year because of the 'silent' dangers, and whilst it is said that a blue flame is usually not a problem, really the only way of being sure is as simple as having a Flue Gas Analysis completed. It's also very wise to have a
Carbon Monoxide detector in the van. Please click
here to view a carbon monoxide detector which is held in our large stock of caravan accessories. These detectors are not expensive and can be life saving!
Before panic sets in, in modern vans all of the appliances are Room Sealed meaning they draw combustion air in from the outside and vent the exhaust back to the outside, except the cooker, and that's why you should provide extra ventilation (open door or window) when cooking.
Another very important point is that vans have fixed ventilation as well as Gas Drop Holes which should not be covered.
You just get one life... look after it.
