Gas Tank Replacement Rule & Certificate Denial

[Kemerton527]

Have been told today by service engineer that my gas tank is just over ten years old so he will not give me a gas safe certificate , new regulations are if your tank is ten years old you have to have it replaced, can’t find any up to date news on this, as anybody heard the same

 

[Pedro Pallent]

The service engineer is working to UK industry standards.
Your tank doesn't have to be replaced at 10 years, it needs inspecting and recertification.
But as there is no business in the UK who undertake inspection and recertification, your only option to get a gas safe certificate is to replace it.

Try autogas 2000, based in Carlton miniott, Thirsk

 

[SVMC15]

It is interesting that there seems to be more worry about the risk of a cambelt failure on the forum than a gas tank failure.

What is worth more, an engine or a motorhome in pieces and possible death!

 

[SVMC15]

Just a quickie...Last time any one filled up their gas (LPG ) from a garage or like we do from our local Lp gas suppliers ...did anyone get asked for a test certificate to prove its worthiness before they filled up? No ...I doubt it very much either.
Gas suppliers to the trade in Wolverhampton BOC ...Take our Oxy acetylene bottles and refill without hesitation. Some of the bottles we use are stamped with dates ranging from 1997 to 2012. There are actually 12 in total. None have ever been refused a refill yet.

Just a thought.

Do you sit and wait for your bottles to be refilled or do you exchange them? They will have been tested and inspected at the appropriate intervals.

 

[h8ten]

I bought a new car in 2005 with a factory-fit LPG conversion. Nothing in any of the brochures mentioned tank maintenance but the handbook had that the tank had to be inspected and magnetically cleaned every ten years.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Don Sad]

The service engineer is working to UK industry standards.
Your tank doesn't have to be replaced at 10 years, it needs inspecting and recertification.
But as there is no business in the UK who undertake inspection and recertification, your only option to get a gas safe certificate is to replace it.

I have a Vantage conversion 2024 fitted with an underslung configuration produced by Auto Gas 2000 from Thirsk Yorkshire. They are in my opinion very experienced gas installers etc, I would give them a call for a bit of advice. Don Sad

 

[CazPaul]

It isn't the rust that is the main issue. It is the crack propagation that occurs in all stressed materials.

I’m not sure but the main point is the industry are saying you require a brand new tank after 10 years because no one can recertify them, this is regardless of if you have thoroughly maintained it, checked it yearly, re-sprayed it yearly, stored the Motorhome indoors etc etc.

 

[Stoosal]

The industry (as a whole) recertify all manner of cylinders etc. They don’t want to recertify privately owned refillable cylinders so don’t offer the service. New cylinder sir, this way…..

 

[SVMC15]

I’m not sure but the main point is the industry are saying you require a brand new tank after 10 years because no one can recertify them, this is regardless of if you have thoroughly maintained it, checked it yearly, re-sprayed it yearly, stored the Motorhome indoors etc etc.

As I understand the professionals are only saying that it is not cost effective for you to have your gas tank and fittings tested, it is far cheaper to have it renewed.

 

[SVMC15]

The industry (as a whole) recertify all manner of cylinders etc. They don’t want to recertify privately owned refillable cylinders so don’t offer the service. New cylinder sir, this way…..

Slightly different mediums however it should serve as an indication to costs for testing.

100l Calorifier relief valve, £35 new, £285 stripped, inspected, rebuilt and tested.

250l Air receiver relief valve £52 new, £285 stripped, inspected, rebuilt and tested.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jongood]

.

negligence is easy to prove as all tanks are stamped and dated.
i'm into american rv's and have seen gas tanks 20-25 yr old properly rusty and the owner isnt bothered about sleeping above 60,80,100l underslung gas tank.
i have also seen 1 gas tank that had the dated stamp ground off and painted over,
And this is to save a few pounds !

But here we are talking about replacing a tank that is 10 years old regardless of its condition. If that was to become law then the likely result would be a lot of perfectly servicable tanks being replaced by cheaply made and cheaply installed replacements.

 

[jongood]

Try autogas 2000, based in Carlton miniott, Thirsk

An excellent company that I also use.
Asfaik you are already recieving their advice courtesy of Basildog ?

 

[wireman]

Installers should be telling customers before installation that you need a brand new tank at 10 years, it should be on their websites and in the paperwork and verbally explained.

We had ours fitted in 2018 by Autogas 2000, not a word about it mentioned and nothing on their website at the time.

We had ours fitted by Autogas 2000 and they were very clear on having it back at 10 years and replacing it, at a discount rate... but won't tell you how much until the date cometh.... Its ten years old next year.

Aluminium in locker BTW.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Do you sit and wait for your bottles to be refilled or do you exchange them? They will have been tested and inspected at the appropriate intervals.

Sorry for late response...yes we have a driver deliver and wait for collection. Normally back within a couple of hours from depot. Last test was carried out and stamped at 07 28 on three of them if i remember correctly? The date stamp on the collar of each bottle is different but all have been stamped accordingly and re issued.

If it helps....
Gas cylinders have a 'test ring' on the cylinder valve neck that indicates that the cylinder has been tested and is safe to use.

As long as the 'in test' date stamped on the ring is later than the current date, then the cylinder is safe to use.

NB: a cylinder is still safe to use even if the date on the cylinder has passed. However, when this cylinder is returned it will not be refilled until it has been re-tested and a new test ring has been fitted.

Always rotate cylinder stocks to cylinders are always within test date.

As per documentation from BOC

 

[Dave and Jen]

So, doing the maths, £1321 for an underslung equates to £132.10 each year, but then of course in ten years it will be more expensive. However at £132.10 per year, does that really provide a cost effective solution to lpg use by using an underslung as opposed to cylinders?


Or is it better to reduce LPG use as much as possible and then just stick with exchange cylinders?
When Gaslow had 15 year cylinders it seemed an obvious option and a better solution in terms of cost effectiveness.

Now I am beginning to think about whether the lithium dream is just a similar bubble a lot of us are experiencing ....

How Much Does Motorhome LPG Tank Installation Cost?

Find your motorhome LPG tank installation cost with our handy guide and learn all about the benefits of installing an underslung LPG tank in your vehicle.

www.motorhomeworkshop.co.uk

Mine was under £900 from Autogas 2000 last year.
Cheers, Dave

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CAB96]

.

But here we are talking about replacing a tank that is 10 years old regardless of its condition. If that was to become law then the likely result would be a lot of perfectly servicable tanks being replaced by cheaply made and cheaply installed replacements.

Cheaply made?

Don't they have to conform to legislation, being Pressure Vessels?

 

[bigtwin]

Cheaply made?

Don't they have to conform to legislation, being Pressure Vessels?

Yes, but the question becomes ‘for how long’?

The legislation requires periodic inspection and re-certification and therein lies the issue. If there is no economic way of recertification then why build a vessel capable of recertification (i.e. a heavier vessel using more, expensive, material) when a thinner walled vessel will last 10 years?

Ian

 

[Thornebt]

I replaced my underslung tank last year as it was rusty. The fitter painted it with a anti stone chip paint. All advice at the time was that you didn't leave it with just it's original paint - you must use anti stone chip paint.

If you search the internet now with 'should I paint my underslung LPG tank' the top results all say you should not paint it! I know things are sometimes wrong on the web but the search results are blatantly misleading.

 

[Roby2008]

Have been told today by service engineer that my gas tank is just over ten years old so he will not give me a gas safe certificate , new regulations are if your tank is ten years old you have to have it replaced, can’t find any up to date news on this, as anybody heard the same

10 Jahres TÜV Tankprüfungen - WYNEN Gas GmbH

Maybe its worth coming to Germany every 10yrs and have the tank/s Tüv certified.
I dont have fixed Tanks but a quick search brings up this Company.

 

[jongood]

Yes, but the question becomes ‘for how long’?

The legislation requires periodic inspection and re-certification and therein lies the issue. If there is no economic way of recertification then why build a vessel capable of recertification (i.e. a heavier vessel using more, expensive, material) when a thinner walled vessel will last 10 years?

Ian

This is my concern, bringing in legislation will bring increased demand for cheaper solutions and no doubt the chinese manufacturers will get in on it and drive the quality standards down.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TrudeandDall]

This is my concern, bringing in legislation will bring increased demand for cheaper solutions and no doubt the chinese manufacturers will get in on it and drive the quality standards down.

It's not new legislation. The inspection requirements are part of a UK gas industry code of practice, which has been used by UK health and safety law (HSE) for a long time..

 

[jongood]

It's not new legislation. The inspection requirements are part of a UK gas industry code of practice, which has been used by UK health and safety law (HSE) for a long time..

The discussion has been around whether it should become legislation.

 

[CAB96]

10 Jahres TÜV Tankprüfungen - WYNEN Gas GmbH

Maybe its worth coming to Germany every 10yrs and have the tank/s Tüv certified.
I dont have fixed Tanks but a quick search brings up this Company.

Interestingly, that page does not appear on their English homepage, or even on the German homepage when I look at it! Only by directly typing in or following your link.

Hidden away so that only Continentals can see

€170 including new valve is a bargain.

 

[Roby2008]

Interestingly, that page does not appear on their English homepage, or even on the German homepage when I look at it! Only by directly typing in or following your link.

Hidden away so that only Continentals can see

€170 including new valve is a bargain.

We like to keep some things for ourselves ...

 

[jongood]

Interestingly, that page does not appear on their English homepage, or even on the German homepage when I look at it! Only by directly typing in or following your link.

Hidden away so that only Continentals can see

€170 including new valve is a

Definitely worth thinking about if you're planning a trip involving Germany.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

That is a really dangerous and irresponsible attitude, tanks and cylinders are designed to last 10 years so if they can't be tested they should be replaced. At 10 years all valves need replacing.
Last thing you want is to be responceable for burning down a firecourt yes it has happened.

I think you need to get grip Lenny. SItting behind the key board and putting stuff like that is actually quite personal do you not think? You saying that I am irresponsible ? If not...re word your opinions and make it clear to all on here and not directly at me please.

Rule 1 jim?

 

[Lenny HB]

I think you need to get grip Lenny. SItting behind the key board and putting stuff like that is actually quite personal do you not think? You saying that I am irresponsible ? If not...re word your opinions and make it clear to all on here and not directly at me please.

Rule 1 jim?

Completely 100% justifiable what I said in reply to your original post and I stand by it.
I'm not the only one see post #11

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Completely 100% justifiable what I said in reply to your original post and I stand by it.
I'm not the only one see post #11

So I guess the rules work for some then and not all then ? Hey oh.... i will go in the corner and sob then...

 

[TrudeandDall]

The discussion has been around whether it should become legislation.

I think that you have missed my point or I did not make it very clear.
There are already requirements set out in UK Law (Acts/Regulations etc) for the design and maintenance of pressure vessels, gas tanks and cylinders, this is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE do not provide in their Acts/Regulations, every detail of the requirements, instead they use Industry codes, guidance and standards to prescribe the requirements and they then enforce those requirements using the Acts/Regulations.
So while it is not unlawful for an individual to continue to use a LPG cylinder that does not meet the requirements of the industry codes of practice, is certainly is unlawful for a service provider to, for example, provide a van owner with a gas safe certificate for a cylinder that does not meet the requirements or a LPG supplier to knowingly refill such a cylinder.

 

[roadwarrior]

our under slung tank comes up to 10 years in couple of years time, we would like a bigger tank fitted would it cost much more we currently have a 20 ltr tank i think. standard sprinter autosleeper winchcome tank

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Nirvanauk]

You would need to contact someone like Autogas 2000 for a quote.