LPG hoses on static leisure accommodation vehicles

Clarification on LPG hoses that should be used in leisure accommodation vehicles, by Gas Safe Register Standards Manager John Stirling and Kaz Dziamarski, managing director of Clesse.

At the beginning of 2021, Liquid Gas UK published Code of Practice (CoP) 32, LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance.

This Code of Practice specifies the requirements for the post-delivery commissioning, inspection and testing of LPG installations not included in the scope of either BS 6891 or BS EN 1949, where connection to the external gas supply is provided and/or the installation requires on-site commissioning.

The scope of this guidance includes leisure accommodation vehicles (LAVs) used with an external supply of LPG storage that is not included in the design, such as:
• Holiday caravans – previously known as “caravan holiday homes”, which are those that do not have planning permission for all-year residential use that the term ‘home’ may imply
• Touring caravans and trailer tents that are connected to an external LPG supply not incorporated in the original manufacturer’s design
• Touring caravans that are used for more than four weeks while connected to an external cylinder supply
• Other vehicles with or without aftermarket conversion incorporating accommodation for habitation.

As part of the publication process of CoP 32, BS 5482 Parts 1 and 2 were both withdrawn, with the majority of the key information covered elsewhere in other guidance documents.

There appears to be confusion in industry as to what hoses are suitable for this application.

Flexible connections shall be in accordance with one of the following standards:
• Hosing made from rubber or elastomer material to BS EN 16436, classes 1, 2 and 3, provided that they are overbraided and armoured against rodent protection when used outdoors.
Note: this does not apply to standalone external portable appliances such as barbecues, patio heaters or catering
– BS EN 16436-1 Class 1, for low pressure only, regulated pressure, maximum pressure not exceeding 200mbar
– BS EN 16436-1 Class 2, for medium pressure only, regulated pressure, maximum pressure not exceeding 10bar
– BS EN 16436-1 Class 3, for direct cylinder pressure connections.
• Hosing made from stainless steel flexible pipe. No additional rodent protection is considered necessary: however, where operating pressures are in excess of 2bar, wire-braided protection shall be incorporated in addition to or supplementing any outer covering.
– BS EN ISO 10380, stainless steel hoses/flexible connections to this standard.

Rubber pigtails and hoses may be used externally, provided that they are overbraided and armoured against rodent protection when used with any pressure, other than when used on external portable appliances such as a barbecue.