Propane tank safe inside van?

[breeze]

Do you have a link to the state and federal laws that says only one hole?

I should have saved the link.  But I had the legal description of a suitable Propane compartment in a van and it stated the upper hole had to be no less than 6 inches from the top of the compartment and I forget on the lower hole, but yeah no venting into living area and no locks on propane compartments.  I really doubt the safety police are going to come measure my propane venting holes, but the homeland security guys do check our vehicles when we cross the ferry. I also travel Canada so I have to meet their regs also.  If it was for me alone I would secure the tank in the foot well of the passenger seat, keep it upright yada yada and call it good.  But I have other people to consider and when I sell the van I want the compartment to be perfectly legal. 

Otherwise I agree with you, vent down and keep out of living space.

What would Hank Hill do?

 

[Weight]

The propane compartment must be sealed from the interior of the vehicle. Propane is much heavier than air and flows like water. A generous hole in the bottom is what is needed. No hole into the living space. If you want a air intake you must have a separate vent to the outside sealed from the living space. The rules are for marine vessels. There are no real laws about propane compartments for motor vehicles. Except no carrying propane inside a vehicle.

 

[John61CT]

Sorry, I was talking what works, not regs.

 

[SusieNV2500]

Y'all ready for some regulations... I can tell you are just itching to know!

The laws for passenger vehicles/van conversions in the US set by the DOT defer to the NFPA, National Fire Protection Association. The sections of NFPA 58 that pertain to us are 6.26 and 11.9. There is room for debate here as to whether 6.26 or 11.9 is more accurately applied. This is because 6.26 excludes RV's with installed systems. 6.26 is for disposables and refillables. 11 in general is discussing propane engines but 6.26 does a redirect to 11.9, very confusing.

Per 6.26 we need a vapor tight enclosure that has two vents to the outside top and bottom, an outside hatch for emergency personnel to remove the propane container(s), the venting must be 3 feet away from any other holes in the side of the van that lead to the passenger compartment, it must be sturdy enough to withstand 4x the weight of the propane container(s) in ANY direction. The container(s) must be securely fastened to the interior of the compartment (think about how fire extinguishers mount).

Per 11.9 we only need a vapor tight enclosure that vents to the outside.

The download is free after registering. It is not light reading. I think I need an aspirin. But we all do our due diligence to stay alive.

 

[Weight]

Sorry John. wasn't talking to your post.

 

[John61CT]

And I in turn was answering Susie's

> Do you have a link to the state and federal laws that says only one hole?

Reply function is broken for me here

 

[Technomad]

BUT, if your van or vehicle cannot fit a Nation's 2nd alternator (the 'Key' imo - See www.theFitrv.com), you don't have too many alternatives other than lp gas unless you live in FL or San Diego (and from experience, both of those places have serious issues.)

If you follow Bob's guidelines, you should be ok though. Drive Safe! 

If you can get a vehicle fuel powered heating system like an espar, then you don’t need LP inside at all.

I think I might carry a portable LP grill for grilling steaks outside the vehicle, and use the small green bottles, stored also outside the vehicle on a hitch mounted box.

And inside an induction stove.


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[Technomad]

Per 6.26 we need a vapor tight enclosure that has two vents to the outside top and bottom, an outside hatch for emergency personnel to remove the propane container(s), the venting must be 3 feet away from any other holes in the side of the van that lead to the passenger compartment, it must be sturdy enough to withstand 4x the weight of the propane container(s) in ANY direction. The container(s) must be securely fastened to the interior of the compartment (think about how fire extinguishers mount).

Regulations or not those are some good bits of advice. Especially like the strength requirement- reasonably objective and measurable.


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[Mattkcc]

What about mounting tank enclosed in a box on a hitch carrier leave the bottom open to vent and use a flexible hose into the van, not very stealthy but not everyone needs to hide.

 

[Trebor English]

What about mounting tank enclosed in a box on a  hitch carrier 

My mini van has been rear ended three times.  Two of the vehicles that hit it were totaled.  The mini van had minor repairs twice.  The third time I didn't bother with repairs as the back door still works fine.  A propane powered rear bumper might have changed the outcome.  I keep the propane inside.

 

[highdesertranger]

dang Trebor, do you have a target back there. highdesertranger

 

[SusieNV2500]

My mini van has been rear ended three times.  Two of the vehicles that hit it were totaled.  The mini van had minor repairs twice.  The third time I didn't bother with repairs as the back door still works fine.  A propane powered rear bumper might have changed the outcome.  I keep the propane inside.

Frightening thought.

Just wanted to add that I have found a supplier of pre-made propane cabinets, Adrian Steel.  They are meant for work trucks like Farriers who need lots of BTU's to actually power a forge to make horse shoes fit properly.  I couldn't tell from the picture exactly how well it will work out.  I am guessing it has to be installed 3 feet behind the drivers door to meet the 3 foot from an opening rule.

 

[tx2sturgis]

The laws for passenger vehicles/van conversions in the US set by the DOT defer to the NFPA, National Fire Protection Association.  The sections of NFPA 58 that pertain to us are 6.26 and 11.9.  

Remember, these are design regulations applicable to companies that design, manufacture, and certify, RV's and motorhomes.

Regulations like this are seldom if ever applied to John Q Public. 

Now, if it's a home built van conversion and an insurance company gets curious when you go to apply for insurance, OR, if there is an accident or explosion of some kind, the insurance company might find your substandard propane containment and venting to be a good reason to deny a claim that was caused by this oversight.

 

[John61CT]

Safest of all is under the chassis.

Rear mounted next best.

One of these on the rear may encourage people to stay back

 

[Scout]

Remember, these are design regulations applicable to companies that design, manufacture, and certify, RV's and motorhomes.

Regulations like this are seldom if ever applied to John Q Public. 

Now, if it's a home built van conversion and an insurance company gets curious when you go to apply for insurance, OR, if there is an accident or explosion of some kind, the insurance company might find your substandard propane containment and venting to be a good reason to deny a claim that was caused by this oversight.

I was thinking about this and want to know what everyone does about thier insurance. I just have my van insured as a non commercial truck. I'm not full time but after watching bobs recent videos i started thinking maybe i should look into it and make sure I'm covered

 

[breeze]

My mini van has been rear ended three times.  Two of the vehicles that hit it were totaled.  The mini van had minor repairs twice.  The third time I didn't bother with repairs as the back door still works fine.  A propane powered rear bumper might have changed the outcome.  I keep the propane inside.

Do you chain-smoke cigarettes too?