Propane safety

[Stephen Birtles]

Blue bird did a modification adding a clam shell vent to out side of the coach
directly underneath the vent as an additional safety feature
Stephen 77fc35
dupreeproducts.com


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Ryan Wright wrote:
>
> Hi folks,
>
> Quick safety check: I replaced my Dometic fridge with a slightly
> taller Norcold. In doing so, the fridge has been lowered about 4
> inches. This puts the bottom of the vent on the side of the coach
> about 4 inches above the bottom of the fridge.
>
> Do I need to be concerned about propane build-up in the event of a
> leak? As propane is heavier than air, it would tend to settle down
> into this space, rather than flow out the vent. On the other hand,
> there is a huge vent there and a lot of air circulation between this
> space and the outside world - even the slightest breeze flows in there
> with ease, and the actual available cubic feet for propane to settle
> is quite small with the fridge installed.
>
> I did build a new shelf for the fridge to sit on and sealed the wood
> with a layer of clear coat and a spray-on rubber top coat designed for
> vehicle undercoating. All edges of that shelf and all other gaps in
> that compartment have been sealed with a thick bead of 50 year outdoor
> rated caulking, so leakage of propane and/or combustion gases into the
> coach should be eliminated. The only remaining concern, therefore, is
> whether propane is capable of gathering around the bottom portion of
> the fridge in that compartment and causing a fire or explosion. I
> don't believe it is due to the relatively large amount of outside air
> flowing through that vent at any given moment, and given the large
> openings to the outside world I can't see an explosion happening but I
> felt it would be prudent to ask here, just to be on the safe side.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
>