Maintain the gas equipment in your cabin
Do you have a propane fridge or do you use gas to heat your cabin?
Spend a few minutes checking your gas equipment before using it. This will reduce the risk of dangerous leaks.
Check for dust
Gas equipment that has not been used for a while can become clogged with dust, cobwebs and the like. This means that the gas will not burn properly and carbon monoxide is formed, which can lead to suffocation. Check and clean the gas equipment at regular intervals to avoid this.
Burners that are close to the floor are particularly vulnerable, for example under gas-powered refrigerators. In particular, check that the air intake at the nozzle is free of dust. Pull out the fridge and carefully vacuum the entire back wall, and the floor behind and under the fridge. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner in your cabin, you can also blow vigorously to remove the dust.
Never use a needle or similar to insert the nozzle into the burner of a gas refrigerator. This can cause damage that can lead to poor combustion and carbon monoxide.
Pay attention during use
Ensure good ventilation and always be present in rooms where you use gas ovens and other gas appliances. Gas refrigerators should be positioned so that they have a good supply of air, i.e. never in or between kitchen cabinets.
Gas appliances also have requirements for the size of the room they are to be used in. These requirements must be described on the appliance.
Watch out for the litter box
A propane-powered fridge can suffocate you if the burner doesn't get enough air. Poor combustion can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. The scary thing about carbon monoxide is that you'll gradually become tired and fatigued, and eventually unable to handle the situation before you suffocate.
It's a good idea to install a gas detector on the floor near the gas bottle or other places where gas may leak. Also install a smoke detector in the same room as the cabin's gas fridge.
Keep the hose away from the burner
Check that the hose is not in contact with the burner. If it is, the heat from the burner can melt holes in the hose, causing the gas to ignite directly and cause an explosive fire.
Remember to do a thorough check of the gas hoses every year, replace hoses every three years. After installing a new hose, check with soapy water that there are no leaks. The regulator/coupling should be replaced every five years.
Not in the bedroom
Portable gas appliances for indoor use must only be used under supervision and in well-ventilated rooms - never in bedrooms. Appliances should be placed at least one meter away from combustible material.
Before you go
If there is a long gap between visits to the cabin, you should disconnect the regulator and, if necessary, put the protective cap on the gas cylinder before you leave.
You should do this before using the equipment:
- Make sure that the air inlet at the nozzle is free of dust. Blow vigorously or vacuum behind the refrigerator to clean.
- Check that hoses and couplings are tight.
- Check that the regulator is properly attached to the propane cylinder.
Source: Sikkerhverdag.no | www.dsb.no