Gas appliances and cylinder safety

Some of the most frequent questions we receive in Camping Plus are about gas appliances and cylinder safety. We know how convenient it is to be able to cook while travelling and enjoying the beautiful scenery of all remote areas around our country. However, you need to keep some minimum  safety standards in order to make your holidays enjoyable and risk-free.

Here’s a comprehensive list provided by Queensland Government of recommendations and items to look after when dealing with gas appliances and cylinder safety.

If you have specific questions in regards to any of your gas appliances or gas refills, give us a shout and we’ll gladly help you out.

Portable outdoor heaters

Portable outdoor heaters can produce large amounts of toxic carbon monoxide gas if they are used incorrectly or are not operating properly. If they are used indoors, this can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. View our video Safety first: gas appliances and carbon monoxide.

To reduce the risk:

• only operate heaters outdoors and check that plenty of fresh air is available
• never use heaters indoors or in semi-enclosed areas
• make sure you have your heaters serviced regularly by a licensed service technician, ideally before each winter
• follow the manufacturer’s directions
• keep heaters well away from people and combustible materials (to the side or above the unit)
• make sure the heaters are placed on a stable, level surface.

Heaters can be stored indoors, as long as the gas cylinder is disconnected and removed from the heater.

Gas cylinders

Your LPG distributor will maintain and test your connected cylinders. However, you still should be alert to any signs of malfunction, which could include a gas smell or damaged cylinder. If you have any concerns, phone your distributor.

Portable recreation LPG cylinders (barbecue, camping) need particular care. These cylinders usually contain 9kg of LPG and can be refilled or exchanged at most service stations.

All cylinders must have a valid 10-year stamp to be refilled. Gas refilling stations are obliged to check the date of every cylinder to be refilled. If the cylinder is not ‘in test’, it should not be filled.

Find out more about the safe use of gas cylinders or watch our videos about storing, transporting and maintaining gas cylinders.

Transporting cylinders

Keep cylinders secure during transport, and don’t carry them in the passenger compartment. Use and store your cylinder in a well-ventilated area, and store away from excess heat and possible sources of ignition. Find out more about the safe transport of cylinders.

Storing cylinders

Spare cylinders must be stored in a designated secure location, away from ignition or heat sources.

If storing the cylinders indoors in hotels, bars, restaurants, cafés, take-away shops, offices and laboratories, the maximum total quantity of gas allowed is 30kg. This could be three 9kg cylinders or two 15kg cylinders (the maximum allowable size).

See Australian Standard AS/NZS 1596:2008: The storage and handling of LP gas for details.

Gas flue terminals in caravans and recreational vehicles (RVs)

The flue terminal for gas appliances in RVs and caravans must be located outdoors. Without appropriate ventilation, the air within an enclosure will be used up, possibly causing incomplete combustion and carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you are thinking of adding an annex to your caravan, campervan or recreational vehicle, you will need to understand the ventilation requirements for fluing.

If you’re ready to take on the road and you need a new stove or a gas refill browse our store, we re positive you re going to find exactly what you need!

Happy Camping!