Industry Standard Update 101: Liquid Gas UK CoP 32
Date issued: 5 January 2021
This article appears in full in the February 2021 edition of Registered Gas Engineer.
This Industry Standard Update provides an overview of the recently published new Industry Standard Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 32 2020 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance, and highlights areas of significant change that the publication has introduced.
Introduction
During November 2020, Liquid Gas UK published a new code of practice, Code of Practice 32 2020 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance(1). The requirements of this standard come into effect immediately.
To allow registered businesses time to carry out internal update training to reflect the technical requirements of the new standard, Gas Safe Register will inspect to the requirements of the standard from 1 April 2021. However, this should not restrict businesses from applying the specification sooner. The following is a brief overview of CoP 32.
General
After the publication of CoP 32, the intention is for BSI to withdraw both BS 5482–1(2) and BS 5482-2(3). The information contained in both guidance documents has been either superseded or withdrawn and is included in other codes of practice, including CoP 32.
Section 1: Introduction, scope and references
CoP 32 specifies the requirements for the post-delivery commissioning, inspection and testing of LPG installations that are not included in the scope of either BS 6891(4) or BS EN 1949(5), and where connection to external gas supply is provided and/or installation requires on-site commissioning. Guidance has been included to provide guidance on maintaining appliances and installation pipework in a safe condition.
CoP 32 includes details of a standardised procedure and check report, which should be followed by a competent person to check the safety of the gas installation.
This section includes guidance on safe operation, the limitations of CoP 32, and regulations and the responsibility to implement them.
Included in this section are two tables. Table 1 provides guidance on other standards that may apply where installations fall within the scope of CoP 32; Table 2 provides guidance on which standards apply where installations do not fall within the scope of CoP 32.
Section 2: Installation of pipework regulator and safety devices
This section provides guidance on the design and installation of service pipework and modifications. Service pipework is defined as the complete distribution pipework system from the LPG storage to the Emergency Control Valve (ECV) installed at each holiday caravan. Service pipework shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 22(6) and, where relevant, Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 25(7).
This section details the requirements for:
- Installation of flexible pipework, hoses, tubing, assemblies and their connections
- Emergency control valve(s) (ECV)
- Holiday caravan connections
- Regulators
- Holiday caravans, regulator location
- Meter, regulator and safety devices.
The following Figures are included in Section 2:
- Figure 1 Cylinder Installation, Standard Regulator
- Figure 2 Cylinder Installation, Automatic Changeover
- Figure 3 Bulk Vessel, 37mbar Supply
- Figure 4 Bulk Vessel, Property End Final Stage Regulator
- Figure 5a Proximity Distance for an Operating Pressure >75mbar
- Figure 5b Proximity Distance for an Operating Pressure >75mbar
- Figure 6 Proximity Distance for an Operating Pressure ≤75mbar
- Figure 1 Emergency Control Valve Label
Table 3 provides the pressure characteristics of regulators and aligns with the guidance provided in BS 6891.
Table 4 provides the minimum proximity distances for meter boxes and relief valve vent tips.
Section 3: Commissioning
This section details the requirements for:
- Gas tightness testing and purging
- Operating pressure
- Maximum pipework pressure drop
- Over-pressure and under-pressure shut-off verification.
The installation (ie, fixed LPG tank, service pipework, installation pipework, regulators and hoses) shall be tested for gas tightness and purged in accordance with Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 22 and for the fixed tank Appendix F.
Installation pipework shall be tightness tested and purged in accordance with Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 22 or IGEM UP 1B(8).
Table 5 provides guidance on regulator operating pressures and safety devices settings, including vehicles designed to BS EN 1949.
Operational set pressures for the limited relief valve, the UPSO and the OPSO are factory pre-set and tested by the manufacturer in accordance with the appropriate manufacture standard on specific test rigs. Functional on-site tests to
confirm setting pressures for these controls is not normally practical unless specified by the manufacturer with a supporting testing procedure. It is only deemed necessary to test the functional operation of these controls if the control manufacturer provides a supporting procedure: in these situations, the controls should be tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions provided.
Section 4: Maintenance
This section of the Code of Practice covers the following topics:
- Periodic inspection and maintenance
- Periodic inspection and maintenance of fixed tanks used in touring caravan, motor caravan, trailer tents and vehicles with habitation
- Garaging, repair and maintenance
- Removal and scrapping of tanks.
Periodic inspection and maintenance, including safety devices, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (where applicable), shall be undertaken to ensure the continued safety and performance of the installation. Where flexible pipework connections have been installed, they shall be periodically checked and replaced as necessary. Flexible pipework connections shall not be used if, when inspected, they show any signs of any physical damage, environmental deterioration or service failure.
Section 5: Guidance for safety checks on LPG appliances in caravans
The compact nature of most caravans and other mobile units emphasises the need for regular maintenance and servicing. LPG installations in touring caravans and other mobile units also put stress into pipework and appliances not experienced in their static counterparts. This reinforces the need for complete and regular safety checks, included in CoP 32.
Section 6: Annual inspection of vehicle-mounted LPG tanks
This section provides guidance on the following topics:
- Method of inspection
- Inspection of the LPG tank for damage, defects and corrosion
- Corrosion
- Treatment of surface corrosion (without pitting).
Included in this section are two tables. Table 6 provides guidance on damage or defect rejection limits, and Table 7 provides guidance on corrosion rejection limits.
Section 7: Instructions and procedures
This section provides guidance on the instruction of personnel, emergency procedures and on the consumer instructions detailing actions that should be taken in the event of an emergency.
Appendix A: Safe handling and properties of LPG
The title of this appendix is self-explanatory.
Appendix B: Safety Data Sheets
The title of this appendix is self-explanatory.
Appendix C: Legal Requirements
CoP 32 was published taking account of primary and secondary legislation that was in force in the United Kingdom at the time of publication. This appendix lists the legislation applicable. Please note that the list is not intended to be
exhaustive.
Appendix D: Standards and references
The title of this appendix is self-explanatory.
Appendix E: Definitions
The title of this appendix is self-explanatory.
Appendix F: Purging vehicle-mounted LPG tanks
The guidance provided in this appendix is for personnel inspecting tanks and installations at annual service intervals. It shall be noted that personnel carrying out the required 10-year inspection will need additional qualifications.
Summary
As previously stated, this Industry Standard Update is only a brief overview of the information contained in the standard. Registered businesses should be aware that they have a responsibility to ensure that they are fully apprised of all the requirements of the whole published standard and its practical application.
Access to Industry Standards from Gas Safe Register
This standard is included in the list of current Industry Standards available on a subscription basis to the majority of Gas Safe registered business. To subscribe, log into your online account at www.gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in and select ‘Standards Subscriptions’. Choose and pay for a one-year or three-year subscription and then you and your engineers will be able to access the Normative Documents on Gas Safe Register’s website.
Bibliography
(1) Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 32 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance
(2) BS 5482 – 1: 2005 Code of Practice for domestic butane- and propane-gas-burning installations — Part 1: Installations at permanent wellings, residential park homes and commercial premises, with installation pipework sizes not exceeding DN 25 for steel and DN 28 for corrugated stainless steel or copper
(3) BS 5482 – 2 Design and Installation Domestic butane- and propane-gas-burning installations. Installations in caravans and non-permanent dwellings
(4) BS 6891: 2015 + A1 2019 Specification for the installation and maintenance of low pressure gas pipework of up to 35mm (R1¼) on premises
(5) BS EN 1949: 2011 – Specification for the installation of LPG systems for habitation purposes in leisure accommodation vehicles and accommodation purposes in other vehicles
(6) Liquid Gas UK CoP 22 – LPG Piping System – Design and Installation
(7) Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 25 LPG Storage and Distribution Infrastructure for Multiple Consumers
(8) IGEM/UP/1B Edition 3 – Tightness testing and direct purging small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/-Air, – Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations
