Hey Folks, Question regarding propane tank storage. I know the regs regarding internal storage of propane tanks on boats, i.e., locker with venting, etc. However, if you "store" your propane tank above deck, for example, attached to the railings of a sailboat, are there any regulations regarding this? From the saftey point of view, a tank mounted to an external rail is vented to the atmosphere so that's not an issue. The specific issue is a new "energized" dockmaster who may or may not understand the reason for vented lockers yet sees a propane tank topside and thinks it has to be in a locker. Thanks Peter
External Propane Storage
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overboard discharge
The only concern on the mounting point would be to make sure that the drift down from the tank could not collect inside the hull. The point of the locker is to direct any leaks overboard. Being a heavier than air gas, it will sink in the locker and out the bottom air vent. As long as you can explain / prove that I don't see how you would have a problem.
The only concern on the mounting point would be to make sure that the drift down from the tank could not collect inside the hull. The point of the locker is to direct any leaks overboard. Being a heavier than air gas, it will sink in the locker and out the bottom air vent. As long as you can explain / prove that I don't see how you would have a problem.
Maybe even in the Cockpit
I have seen tanks mounted onto the stern rail, pretty exposed. I've been thinking of putting a tank at the aft end of the cockpit under the seat behind the wheel. It is in the open, the cockpit drains are right there and in the advent of a leak, it would drain through the cockpit drains and out the boat. I asked a surveyor what he thought and he felt that it was perfectly safe. I'd have to put some backing plates behind or something to strap the tank in place. On this topic, has anyone tried one of those fiberglas propane tanks? They look like the right idea for a boat. Rick
I have seen tanks mounted onto the stern rail, pretty exposed. I've been thinking of putting a tank at the aft end of the cockpit under the seat behind the wheel. It is in the open, the cockpit drains are right there and in the advent of a leak, it would drain through the cockpit drains and out the boat. I asked a surveyor what he thought and he felt that it was perfectly safe. I'd have to put some backing plates behind or something to strap the tank in place. On this topic, has anyone tried one of those fiberglas propane tanks? They look like the right idea for a boat. Rick
One thousand cubic feet of air weighs 76 pounds
Propane 2.1% 10.1% These are the lower and upper limits of flamability for propane. If you could mix 1 1/2 pounds of propane into a ten foot wide three foot high and thiry-three foot long column of air it would explode. That would be about the size of the space between two boats in the marina. If there were a light breeze it would never happen.
Propane 2.1% 10.1% These are the lower and upper limits of flamability for propane. If you could mix 1 1/2 pounds of propane into a ten foot wide three foot high and thiry-three foot long column of air it would explode. That would be about the size of the space between two boats in the marina. If there were a light breeze it would never happen.
The propane BBQ is a pretty prime example
of tanks in the open, might even be one on the deck of the dockmasters condo. Lots of people still have a giant propane tank out their door to power their whole house.
of tanks in the open, might even be one on the deck of the dockmasters condo. Lots of people still have a giant propane tank out their door to power their whole house.
Should be fine, just don't paint the tank
a dark color and use a vapor tight straight-thru fitting where the hose enters the boat. For less than $20 they sell a push down pressure switch at Home Depot which attaches to the tank and will stop flow should a large leak develop in the system. It also has a dial for testing against leaks. A good practice is to shut the valve off when not in use. Years ago we used to run copper tubing to a tank on deck and used our noses to test for leaks.
a dark color and use a vapor tight straight-thru fitting where the hose enters the boat. For less than $20 they sell a push down pressure switch at Home Depot which attaches to the tank and will stop flow should a large leak develop in the system. It also has a dial for testing against leaks. A good practice is to shut the valve off when not in use. Years ago we used to run copper tubing to a tank on deck and used our noses to test for leaks.
Thanks
Hey Everyone, Thanks for the comments. Conceptually (and in practice in most yards) everyone agrees that the propane tank stored outside is not an issue. And no one cited any regulation regarding outside storage of propane tanks on a boat. I have to somehow (diplomatically) convince the dockmaster of the above. Chemistry is easy, people are not.
Hey Everyone, Thanks for the comments. Conceptually (and in practice in most yards) everyone agrees that the propane tank stored outside is not an issue. And no one cited any regulation regarding outside storage of propane tanks on a boat. I have to somehow (diplomatically) convince the dockmaster of the above. Chemistry is easy, people are not.
Peter, just send him...
...down to the local propane filler-upper (Is that a word?) and he will see that the storage tanks are always stored outside! Jack
...down to the local propane filler-upper (Is that a word?) and he will see that the storage tanks are always stored outside! Jack
There's a nice picture of 2 45 lb bottles
chained to a house on the page I've attached from Wikipedia.
chained to a house on the page I've attached from Wikipedia.
Calif. Ted I don't know if you are posting
the link to the picture of the two propane tanks outside the house to demonstrate that well ventilated tanks pose no undue dangers or if you are posting it because you consider it an oddity. In any instance when I was growing up in the 50's many homes had similar set ups right here in the states. Replacement tanks were delivered by a pickup truck and exchanged for the empty ones. These pickups would drive around with about 20-30 of these tanks. I do not recall hearing of a single accident.
the link to the picture of the two propane tanks outside the house to demonstrate that well ventilated tanks pose no undue dangers or if you are posting it because you consider it an oddity. In any instance when I was growing up in the 50's many homes had similar set ups right here in the states. Replacement tanks were delivered by a pickup truck and exchanged for the empty ones. These pickups would drive around with about 20-30 of these tanks. I do not recall hearing of a single accident.
Benny, Thought it demonstrated a safe & legal
installation, didn't occur to me that the picture might not be in the U.S., it is more common to use a fixed tank here in the US now but a lot of places in the world still use the system you described.
installation, didn't occur to me that the picture might not be in the U.S., it is more common to use a fixed tank here in the US now but a lot of places in the world still use the system you described.
Try Sure Marine Service, Seattle
We purchased a propane Rail Kit with a vertical tank* for our boat. I have it temp mounted at the stern rail and that is probably where it will stay. Sure Maine Service in Seattle was where the kit, with regulator and 45' of house with inside shutoff etc were bought. *6lb vertical aluminum tank Bruce
We purchased a propane Rail Kit with a vertical tank* for our boat. I have it temp mounted at the stern rail and that is probably where it will stay. Sure Maine Service in Seattle was where the kit, with regulator and 45' of house with inside shutoff etc were bought. *6lb vertical aluminum tank Bruce
Hi Bruce,
Can you post a picture of your Rail Kit installation? I do found drawing on Sure Marine Service web site but it's less clear of the actual construction. I would like to see how it will fit to my H34 stern. Thanks.
Can you post a picture of your Rail Kit installation? I do found drawing on Sure Marine Service web site but it's less clear of the actual construction. I would like to see how it will fit to my H34 stern. Thanks.
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