Gas Bottle Storage

This small blog is about Gas Bottle Storage. This is one of the often over looked aspects of owning a static caravan. Gas bottles are a necessary evil – You really have to have them but they are not the most attractive things to have sitting outside your brand new caravan. The most common suppliers of Propane Gas Bottles in the UK is currently Calor Gas (http://www.calor.co.uk/).

Asgard Secure Steel Storage offer Calor approved gas bottle storage units for storing the most common gas bottle sizes. Asgard designed their Gas Storage units with Calor – ensuring they the perfect solution for storing standard gas cylinders.

Often people will buy a cheap generic wooden garden shed to house gas bottles. As we know from our previous blogs wooden sheds decay rapidly (and look a mess) – They are so unsightly (and flammable!) major caravan sites are beginning to ban wooden sheds from caravan parks, instead insisting on Metal Gas Storage units such as the Asgas storage range.

Cylinder Location

General Advice on Gas cylinder storage from the calor website.

Cylinders must be:

Installed in the upright position with valves uppermost so that vapour will be withdrawn in use.

Located against a wall or structure of the building with at least 30 minutes fire resistance.

Located in the open air outside buildings and situated on firm level ground in a well ventilated area.

Positioned where they remain accessible at all times.

Where they do not obstruct any means of access to and from the property.

Sited where they are reasonably protected from accidental damage or interference by persons, animals or vehicles etc.

Gas Bottle Storage

Unsealed gullies

Openings to cellars

Unless an intervening diversion wall not less than 250mm high is provided.

Within 3 metres of any corrosive, toxic or oxidising materials unless a fire resistant barrier is interposed.

The area around the cylinders should be kept clear of litter, vegetation or other flammable materials.

Associated equipment eg manifolds, automatic changeover devices, pressure regulators etc.Should be located as close as practicable to the cylinder(s) and located above the cylinder shrouds. Flexible connections should be short as practicable whilst being long enough to provide the flexibility required without excessive strain on the end fittings

Gas Bottles/Cylinders Must:

Cylinders must be sited upright against an outside wall on a firm, level base (approximately 1800mm x 460mm x 50mm) in a well-ventilated location. Because LPG is heavier than air, cylinders must not be located in cellars, basements or sunken areas.

The cylinders must be a minimum of 1 metre horizontally, and 0.3 metres vertically, from doors, windows, ventilation ducts, flue terminals and all potential sources of ignition.


Gas Bottle Storage units.

The cylinders must be a minimum of 2 metres from untrapped drains, unsealed gullies or cellar openings, unless separated by a 250mm high wall.

The cylinders must be a minimum of 3 metres from any corrosive, toxic or oxidising materials unless separated by a fire resistant barrier.

Main considerations are the safety of the location and easy access to permit cylinder replacement. Additionally, flammable material (such as grass, sheds and fences) must not be allowed near the gas cylinders. However, provided that free ventilation is not impaired around the cylinders, a nearby arrangement of flowers, shrubs or slatted screens may be acceptable.


Other Important Safety Tips:

When refilling a gas cylinder, always have it done by a professional. This way you know it’s done right and don’t end up regretting it later on down the line. Make sure you have your cylinders inspected for safety as well. And, of course, always keep proper safety equipment (such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits) in or near the cylinders in case of an emergency.

www.asgardsss.co.uk