What gas does a static caravan use and what are the regulations? Do I need a gas safety certificate and what’s an LPG certificate? We have all the answers for you!
The gas supply in a static caravan is the means by which tenants can cook and keep warm but, whether you are staying in a static caravan or renting one out, it is vital that you understand the gas safety regulations for caravans and your responsibilities regarding the gas supply in the caravan.
When holidaying in a static caravan on a holiday park, it is the responsibility of the park owner that your caravan and pitch are safe and fit for use. However, it is the responsibility of the caravan owner to ensure gas safety compliance within the caravan, with many site owners requiring mandatory annual gas safety checks (see below).
What gas does a static caravan use?
Most static caravans will use LPG or liquid petroleum gas that is stored under pressure in a bottle, cylinder or tank. The LPG can be propane or butane and there is little to differentiate them. However, while butane is more cost effective and fuel efficient, propane is more effective at lower temperatures and therefore better for winter caravanning.
Gas regulations for a static caravan
In the UK, annual gas safety checks for static caravans are not mandatory but the majority of park owners require them. When an annual gas safety check is carried out, a gas safety certificate will be issued confirming that all pipework and gas appliances are in working order and safe. If you are an owner who lets your caravan, compliance with gas safety regulations is mandatory as you are considered to be a landlord. You are obliged to ensure a gas safety check is conducted every year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer; our blog article Why you should get a registered gas engineer to install your gas appliances, has lots of advice to help you with this.
What is an LPG certificate?
An LPG certificate is the Gas Safety certificate that is issued to premises that do not operate with mains gas.
What is a landlord’s gas safety certificate?
If you are a static caravan owner who lets the caravan out, you are required to provide an annual CP12 Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate. This is mandatory, even if you rent only to family and friends and it is your responsibility to ensure this check is in place and up to date.
As well as having your static caravan’s gas appliances serviced annually, there are some simple steps you can take yourself to keep you and your tenants safe.
Air vents – NEVER block the air vents in your caravan as they maintain the airflow. Clean them regularly and keep them free from anything that could prevent the free flow of air.
Flame colour – check the colour of your gas flame; it should be a crisp blue colour. If you can see orange or yellow in the flames, or if there are stains or black marks around the appliance, call a Gas Safe engineer.
Carbon monoxide – carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no odour and that cannot be seen or even tasted. Install a carbon monoxide alarm and if it does go off, turn off your gas immediately and have the supply checked. Make the caravan park owner/manager aware too, so that the emergency gas services can be called.
Gas regulators - older static caravan models have gas regulators that can be used with only one type of gas so if you switch from one type to another, check your regulator is compatible.
At BEC Ingoldmells, we have over 50 years’ experience in the tourism industry and offer a wide range of LPG equipment, including connectors, regulators and gas fittings. We also stock static caravan gas fires by Widney and, as authorised Calor Gas suppliers, we are always happy to help with any of your LPG enquiries. However, we are not Gas Safe registered and are therefore limited in the advice we can give. We are able to provide contact details for Gas Safe registered engineers on request. For all enquiries please get in touch.