Gas fumes inside an awning
Hi I need some help, I have a Mercedes Rapido Motorhome and we use it a lot in the winter but I have a bit of a dilemma, I've starting looking for an awning privacy room to attach onto the fiamma but then realized that the gas boiler vent, fridge vent and cooker vent are all on the same side as the pull out awning, so what happens about all the gas fumes from the vents when the outside awning is attached?? Don't really want carbon monoxide poisoning, surely this can't be an issue with all the motorhomes out there but nobody can give me an answer, hopefully there is enough knowledge on here to sort it out.
Thanks James
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Seems to me you will obviously fill the awning space with the combustion fumes. 😨
It is not an issue for many people as it’s not often all the exhaust vents are on the same side as the roll out and even fewer folk choose to use privacy rooms.
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When you use the room, don't use the heating and fridge on gas. The cooker vent? is probably not going to do much.
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I think it depends on several things. Two of the items you mention can be run on EHU. The amount of time you would use a cooker is fairly limited. If you are only using gas then exhaust will exit into the enclosed awning unless you take steps to ventilate it which of course might negate the purpose of having one? I know from a previous caravan there was a warning not to have the window open immediately above the heater vent if using on gas so obviously there is some danger but that might be limited if there was a free flow of air.
David
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As above, use EHU when in residence and place a CO detector for reassurance in the awning if really needed.
As far as privacy rooms are concerned we now have a Thule Quickfit, have you looked at these?
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/motorhome-accessories/tents/thule-quickfit-260-m-medium-_-307056
The front and side panels can be easily zipped in or out as required to provide a sh later or enclosed room. Can also suspend an inner sleeping tent inside too.
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Hi everyone,
I have spoken to our Technical Manager at the Club who has advised:
There are several issues:
- Fridge flue shouldn’t be a problem, as long as the fridge is running properly (i.e. good condition and properly serviced). Emissions from the fridge are so low as to not be a concern unless it’s faulty. If faulty, even the flue from this kind of low output device can be very dangerous
- ‘Cooker vent’. To the best of my knowledge, all caravan/motorhome cookers are non-room sealed appliances – i.e. they vent into the habitation space, which should always be adequately ventilated but please check.
- Gas boiler vent – this is a much higher output device than the fridge, and thus carries greater potential risk. A roof flue avoids concerns, but not all heaters/boilers can be fitted with one. It’s certainly not ideal to vent into an enclosed awning, though, and manufacturers will generally recommend against doing so. For the same reason, you can’t position a vent for such an appliance directly under an opening window to avoid the fumes getting into the main habitation space
- Fridge and boiler can usually be used on mains if on site, which eliminates the concerns, of course
- Driveaway awnings (or porch or even universal awnings for caravans) may help, as they’re often rather shorter than the vehicle body, and it may be possible to position one so that the boiler flue is outside the awning
The actual level of risk even with lower output gas appliances (e.g. fridge) depends on several factors:
- Overwhelmingly, the condition of the gas appliance – i.e. whether it’s operating ‘clean’ or not
- The degree to which the awning is in effect a sealed space or not. Most awnings are naturally not very sealed, but some owners go to significant lengths to avoid drafts, especially if the space is used for sleeping in
- Whether the awning will be occupied when the gas appliance is in use
- Whether the awning will be used for sleeping, which puts the occupants into a more vulnerable state than if it’s just used for sitting in, say, or for storage.
In summary, it’s not advisable to vent a higher output gas appliance into an awning. It would also be prudent to fit a CO alarm in the awning if it’s used for sleeping in.
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Just as an aside, whilst over there this year, we arrived at our 3rd campsite, setup and after a short period I smelled gas in the van. Immediately isolated the gas and then started to check. The culprit was the handscrew on hose. It seems after about 800 driving miles the hose had started to undo itself. We now check every time we stop to ensure a tight fit.
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Much more likely that you hadn't tightened it up properly. Its easily done if there is a bit of strain on the connection. You should always give the bottle a gentle waggle half way through tightening up.to ensure the connector is seated properly.
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Wasn’t there a report last year of a couple dying after inhaling fumes from a BBQ used in a closed tent?
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Yes. Sounds impossible but that’s what was reported.
I once saw a tent go up in flames with people zipped up inside and cooking on a stove. Fortunately they all escaped. A much more obvious risk than a spent BBQ.
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I think Rowena’s post pretty well covers the questions regarding safety. I would add that it should seem normal and appropriate for there to be no gas appliances in operation during the hours of sleeping, either in the vehicle or an awning. And, inside the vehicle, always ensure that the gas drops are clear.
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