Gas Ventilation Requirements

[Barboots]

OK... I know that I could Google this, but I'm confident that there's going to be some concise information available from knowledgeable members. Preamble: I am not modifying my gas installation or the permanent ventilation associated with it. This is conceptual.

We don't cook inside much. Since fitting lithium I've been wondering if we really need the stove/griller combo in our van as an induction hotplate and a toaster would fulfil our needs. Whilst musing the topic, I wondered if it is essentially the stove which is responsible for the caravan's permanent ventilation requirements. As per usual caravan crap, our 3 way fridge is is vented to the exterior... as is the hot water system. Both devices are "reasonably" sealed to the van interior, but this could be improved upon too. Our BBQ is a pull out type and can't be operated if not extracted from the storage area. The gas lines are all external except where routed up to each device.

So if the stove goes... does the requirement for permanent ventilation go with it?

Cheers, Steve

[Barboots]

I need an absolute definition of "room sealed appliance"... however the concept seems to have potential.

[Barboots]

So ultimately some permanent ventilation is required irrespective of the appliances.

[Barboots]

Any discussion, additional info, stuff??? How are you managing this drafty requirement?

[jon_d]

If you remove the gas and therefore the requirement to ventilate for gas installations from the discussion;

I think I'd still like to have ventilation for fresh air when sleeping and general venting of smells, and mould.

I hate sleeping in hotels with no or little fresh air.

[BruceS]

Steve are you looking for definitive advice to comply with requirements prior to rego etc or just general info?
A lot of "crap" can be avoided in SA & probably elsewhere if you get your rego done prior to adding certain items & then just add them later on.

[Barboots]

Our van is rego'd Bruce, though I'd definitely stay within the legal requirements. I'm interested in discussions around the topic and how people have approached things. I have no intention of trying to create a sealed box... as Jon mentioned that would be unhealthy. It would be great to get around the specific cross ventilation requirement, as when it is blowing outside the van turns into a bit of a wind tunnel, directed across the foot of our bed. Perhaps without the stove a better result would be achievable within the legal framework, as I gather we'd then only need to satisfy the "minimum per length" aspect, and that doesn't mention the mandatory opposing position of the vents.

I need to do calculations on what's installed... maybe it's more than necessary. We have the usual caravan opposing door and wall vent, plus two roof vents which maintain an amount of permanent ventilation, plus at least one mid/rear vent behind the microwave. It's a sieve!

Maybe the topic is quiet because no one wants to discuss their possible non-compliance? [emoji6]

Or it's boring??? [emoji23]

[Busman]

We got rid of the gas stove to someone on here a while ago, brought a small benchtop electric oven.Double induction hotplate. So now only gas is barbeque.
Still have chinamans hat vent in roof which we discovered can leak (bloody bundy) so it is going as well.
Plenty of windows for cross ventilation, still have one of the large rooftop coach hatches which has never been opened since we first registered, thinking maybe another couple of solar panels there.
And a 240 rangehood, the ELV ones do not move enough out in my opinion

And yes we are compliant because insurance companies are always looking for a way out. Even have in writing that 2 x LiFePo4 battery banks are cool from Ken Tame.

[Vik351]

So Busman...???
"" Even have in writing that 2 x LiFePo4 battery banks are cool from Ken Tame."" do these have to be vented if they are inside your bus...???

Reason I ask, will be getting some, not sure if the bloke dooin the solar install it is up with all the regs...!!!

And I just purchased an E-Bike for me and she each and noticed there is quite a smell given off by the Li-Ion batteries when you plug em in for a charge, so I imagine the same would apply to a motorhome bank ...??? (36 volt 16 Ah https://www.leitner.com.au/electric-fol ... -html.html )

vik... or are they different...???

[Busman]

No smell, after bundy and the horrible trip back there was no sun for even my 3 kw to catch, left everything on and went to bed, came in next morning and battery was disconnected, down to 23 v, as planned with my protection system
So switched on both charger/inverters which each put in 70 amps (24v) , some solar by then so 150 amps going in, warmish cables, no smell.
Dunno about Li ion they are the bad cousin I think !
Was going to buy one of those but haven't got to it yet, thinking a 3 wheeler might be safer after a couple of reds !

I am aware that any insurance company will take an out if you give it to them, that is why I asked for it in writing, they did say ok without any fuss, I guess have been asked before by now.