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Post by tomten on Feb 2, 2017 0:01:05 GMT
So, I am fitting out a dutch barge, and am a bit stuck on what to do about gas storage. I need to create storage for two 13kg bottles. I have a few options, but none of them are ideal. I am hoping some discussion may help me figure out what's best. I have read through the BSS requirements, but I am not sure how good my interpretations are.
Option 1: The overhang the transom rail at the back of the boat. We are on a fixed mooring, and the boat has no engine, so cruising will not be an issue. However, there is a hatch opening inside the hull within 1m, so it is not permitted by the BSS. Could I screen them, erecting a metal sheet with a bit of wraparound, ensuring any leak was directed overboard? Or is there a lightweight option for a proprietary gas locker which can be rigged off the transom?
Option 2: They go on the front deck in constructed lockers, the front deck also has a hatch to inside, and is not big enough for the bottles to be more than a meter away. Had I thought about it when the boat was on the hard I would have welded an interior bulkhead and made a narrowboat style locker in the bow. Best option at this stage is two lockers against the front wall of the cabin either side of the hatch. This will work well aesthetically, I would maybe use them to support a bench seat (bow faces south east, so it would be the perfect breakfast seat). Problem with this plan is that the front deck slopes quite considerably, and a locker each side would form a large puddle in their centre. I would need to install drainage channels beneath the lockers. Not sure how I would do this, would need to be big enough to get to inside and paint... I suppose I could add a drain like in a well deck on a yacht??? The gas lockers themselves would have their drains plumbed through the interior of the boat.
So.... food for thought.
It doesn't matter just yet, except that I am making decisions on pipe and cable runs, and it would be good to factor the gas pipe in as well.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 4:30:28 GMT
47kg calor bottles are 375mm diameter. 13kg are 315mm diameter.
I think a nice single gas locker for the smaller size could be made from the larger size.
Cutting up gas bottles is dangerous and calor claim them as their property and 'disallow' it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 7:16:08 GMT
If space is an issue can you use 7kg bottles and change em more regularly?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 7:18:31 GMT
Gas bottles can be hung from the transom, use a bulkhead fitting to pass through the transom.
The BSS waffles about it not being preferred but it is allowed. Slight risk if em getting walloped, but many small cruisers have them safely mounted in that position.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 7:47:55 GMT
As it is permanently moored I reckon a fabricated locker on the stern would do it, or just a cage as you suggest.
Not sure about using the smaller bottles I think this would bump up the gas bill quite a bit on a residential vessel although they are much easier to handle.
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Post by patty on Feb 2, 2017 8:07:09 GMT
Full gas bottles are very heavy..take that into consideration what ever you decide..I really struggled to get empty ones out of my gas locker when I had the boat and I couldn't manage to put the same size back in.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 8:12:50 GMT
If building a locker off the stern I would advocate sourcing a mobility scooter hoist (plenty on eBay sometimes very cheap - I bought a 75kg rated mini electric crane for £30 in good order) which can be used to do the back breaking work.
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Post by lollygagger on Feb 2, 2017 8:17:03 GMT
I'm amazed it's been built without a gas locker, or have I misread? Do you have a diesel tank for the engine?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 8:24:48 GMT
I'm amazed it's been built without a gas locker, or have I misread? Do you have a diesel tank for the engine? Its got no engine  (post #1) Sounds like its an old dutch ex commercial vessel. Quite a few people do put gas bottles on deck rather than in a locker. Its OK as long as its not too close to an entrance |
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Post by tomten on Feb 2, 2017 23:01:03 GMT
I'm amazed it's been built without a gas locker, or have I misread? Do you have a diesel tank for the engine? Its got no engine (post #1) Sounds like its an old dutch ex commercial vessel. Quite a few people do put gas bottles on deck rather than in a locker. Its OK as long as its not too close to an entrance Yes. Old dutch ex-commercial vessel. No engine, no gas lockers. Moving bottles is not a major concern for me, the BSS requirements are more of an issue. Pretty much, they say you cannot store any bottle outside of a locker within 1m of any opening to the inside of the hull. This includes over the transom and on a self draining deck. As I explained, both my decks have hatches in their centres, which would fall within 1m of any location I could sensibly place the bottles (including all over transom positions) |
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Post by JohnV on Feb 3, 2017 7:54:29 GMT
can you not put the lockers inside with the drain going through the hull and overboard ? Or do you need to to put them above decks for space / handling reasons ?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2017 11:24:36 GMT
can you not put the lockers inside with the drain going through the hull and overboard ? Or do you need to to put them above decks for space / handling reasons ? I was thinking it might be worth recessing circular lockers into the deck (for example 375mm diameter open top steel cylinders of some sort then weld in drains using butt weld pipe fittings. It would take a certain amount of internal space but could be quite tidy. There were a few narrow boat builders who did this on cruiser stern decks, topped off with a nice round treaplate lid. If the bottle is lower than the deck and the base of the locker has large diameter drains then I think the bss would be happy with it. Not 100% sure on that though. The ones I have seen on narrow boats are definitely closer than a meter to the engine bay but they were built before the BS scheme came into effect anyway .. |
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Post by JohnV on Feb 3, 2017 11:29:09 GMT
can you not put the lockers inside with the drain going through the hull and overboard ? Or do you need to to put them above decks for space / handling reasons ? I was thinking it might be worth recessing circular lockers into the deck (for example 375mm diameter open top steel cylinders of some sort then weld in drains using butt weld pipe fittings. It would take a certain amount of internal space but could be quite tidy. There were a few narrow boat builders who did this on cruiser stern decks, topped off with a nice round treaplate lid. If the bottle is lower than the deck and the base of the locker has large diameter drains then I think the bss would be happy with it. Not 100% sure on that though. The ones I have seen on narrow boats are definitely closer than a meter to the engine bay but they were built before the BS scheme came into effect anyway .. That sounds a natty idea ...... manholes in the deck with a sealed locker venting overboard ....... Brilliant ...... I don't see how they could disallow it, after all it is totally gas tight from the accommodation |
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Post by bodger on Feb 3, 2017 12:51:09 GMT
the BSS requirements are perfectly clear. as long as you comply exactly with each requirement the examiner cannot fail it. if he tries to make it a fail then appeal to BSS office.
I built a plywood (grp-lined) cupboard inside the cabin of my previous yogurt pot, with a hole through the hull side to drain any gas. no problem for the (intelligent) BSS examiner who was also a proper marine surveyor.
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Post by Robbo on Feb 3, 2017 13:18:40 GMT
May not be relevant to your barge, but mine and a few others I've seen tend to be built into the wheelhouse area under seats etc, but with external doors.
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(post #1)
