Carbon monoxide (CO) can kill

Cowboy7307 · Senior Member

Portable heaters

KFT · Guru

I would never be using a gas heater inside a caravan.

they give off carbon monoxide gas (which has no odour) which will kill you.

Our van has a Truma E2400 LPG heater installed which expels combustion gas outside the van.

frank

aussie_paul · Guru

On the net last night while chasing down heating info I ran across portable systems that have the unit outside and just the warm air vented to the interior. Google "portable heating." The one I saw was deisel.

Aussie Paul. smile

elliemike · Guru

Just do a "Search"on this subject on this Forum. You will find all the warnings.

They are Dangerous in Confined Spaces like Tents, Campers, Caravans, Bathrooms etc.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Many appliances consuming fuel - particularly LPG - have the potential to be dangerous.

This site gives some good information. It is not just portable gas heaters that could pose a problem.

Cautious and informed use of appliances will assist in maintaining safety. [somewhat like puddling with electricity with little or no knowledge]

http://carbonmonoxidemyths.com/frequently-asked-questions.php

cheers - John

Bruce and Bev · Guru

We warm our van up before we go to bed with one of the gas burners on the stove - works a treat and then enough bedding and jim jams and bed socks, if that cold, we stay warm. In CP's we use a small ceramic electric heater - about half the size of a shoe box and gives off a lot of heat. It only takes 5-10 mins using your gas stove to warm up your van - but don't leave it till its freezing cold inside otherwise you will use a lot of gas.

I wouldn't have a gas heater running at night inside my van incase it caught fire, but have a look at your door and almost a third of it is grilled to allow heavy gas to escape and you also have another gas vent towards the ceiling

peterwm · Veteran Member

Coleman have a small reflective gas bottle heater off a small gas bottle, they do not give off carbon monoxide, rather carbon dioxide, so rob the air of oxygen, but leave a small window

open while heating your caravan work a treat.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

peterwm wrote:
Coleman have a small reflective gas bottle heater off a small gas bottle, they do not give off carbon monoxide,........

Bollocks!

Cheers,

Peter

hako · Guru

We use an Aldi camping gas heater that uses the 220gm cans - cost $49. Heats the Avan beautifully.

george57 · Senior Member

I've always used a gas heater in the van....works a treat....when fatdog falls asleep I generally turn it off. I found in the past that canary's used to escape so was becoming too expensive replacing canaries.
Cheers
George & fatdog

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

hako wrote:
We use an Aldi camping gas heater that uses the 220gm cans - cost $49. Heats the Avan beautifully.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/smithfield/camping-hiking/portable-butane-gas-heater-blue-/1071903413

For outdoor use in a well ventilated area

Dicing with death.......carbon monoxide poisoning is described as "sleeping death" for good reason.

Cheers,

Peter

hako · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
hako wrote:
We use an Aldi camping gas heater that uses the 220gm cans - cost $49. Heats the Avan beautifully.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/smithfield/camping-hiking/portable-butane-gas-heater-blue-/1071903413
For outdoor use in a well ventilated area
Dicing with death.......carbon monoxide poisoning is described as "sleeping death" for good reason.

Cheers,
Peter

Nah,....no different to cooking with the twin gas burners inside the van which will produce more carbon monoxide and that is legal. Can anyone define "well ventilated area" ? I'd figure the inside of my 12ft Avan must be a "well ventilated area" as it has 'approved' twin burner gas burners which will produce more carbon monoxide than the camping gas heater.

Bottom line is be well informed and then decide what is suitable.

Regards

Denis

elliemike · Guru

Carbon monoxide (CO) can kill

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when a fuel such as charcoal, gas or petrol burns incompletely. This could be because an appliance isnt working properly or might simply happen as part of its normal function. Barbecues, for example, produce carbon monoxide even when they are working well.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas and is poisonous. In high concentrations it can kill swiftly. In smaller concentrations CO poisoning can give symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning. Look out for headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and weakness - but the best advice is to avoid any chance of being poisoned in the first place.

Safety Tips

Never take a barbecue into a tent, awning, caravan or motorhome.Even a cooling barbecue gives off plenty of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO), which can kill.
Never use a fuel-burning appliance to heat your tent or awning.Gas and kerosene heaters unless they are permanently fitted in a caravan or motorhome should only be used outside. Stoves and barbecues are designed for cooking not space heating.
Never run a gas, petrol or diesel-powered generator inside a caravan, motorhome, tent or awning. Make sure fumes from a generator dont blow into your unit or anyone elses from outside either.
Dont cook inside your tent or awning
Dont use any other gas, charcoal, liquid or solid fuel appliances inside a tent or awning. Gas-powered fridges and lamps, for example, also need plenty of ventilation to prevent them producing poisonous carbon monoxide. Tents and awnings arent generally designed with this in mind.
Consider using a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, provided it is suitable for the condition you intend to use it, check with the supplier/manufacturer, though it should never be used as an alternative to the precautions above.
Always have gas appliances in your caravan or motorhome serviced regularly.

Spotting the danger signs of CO poisoning

You cannot smell, taste or see carbon monoxide but it can kill quickly and without warning. Early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning can give symptoms similar to food poisoning or flu, though without a high temperature.

Symptoms to look out for include: Headaches; dizziness; feeling sick; tiredness and confusion; stomach pains or shortness of breath
Higher concentrations can give more severe symptoms: Symptoms of intoxication; vertigo, as if the environment is spinning; loss of coordination; breathlessness and high heart beat rate; seizures or unconsciousness leading to death

-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:16:22 AM

-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 19th of April 2015 11:20:07 AM

Bargswan · Member

We have a diesel heater fitted with a vent into the toilet/shower compartment, plus the main section of the motor-home. Great for drying wet clothing and very cheap to run.
Takes the diesel fuel direct from the vehicles fuel tank. No smell fully adjustable and works a treat.
Bob

Bill B · Guru

hako wrote:

Nah....no different to cooking with the twin gas burners inside the van which will produce more carbon monoxide and that is legal.

How long do you cook for, maybe 15 minutes ?

How long do you run your gas heater for, several hours ?

No difference you say

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Some UK information.....
www.co-gassafety.co.uk/deaths.html

Cheers,
Peter

hako · Guru

Bill B wrote:
hako wrote:

Nah....no different to cooking with the twin gas burners inside the van which will produce more carbon monoxide and that is legal.

How long do you cook for, maybe 15 minutes ?

How long do you run your gas heater for, several hours ?

No difference you say

Actually we only run the heater for about 15 minutes which is sufficient to heat the inside of our Avan which is only 12ft long internally. After about 20 minutes the 220gm gas cylinder will run out so there is a safety device builtin. We understand there is a risk involved just as there are risks involved with open fires, lunchbox cookers and just about everything to do with day to day life.

Regards

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The smaller the enclosed space, the bigger the risk.

Cheers,
Peter

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

NEVER EVER block the vent on the step or lower section of van..
Seen so many with silicon or some form of sealing ...
Heat a pot of water for the water bottles... Done ..
Killed two birds ... Oops not the best saying.. Lol

PeterD · Guru

The Australian gas regulations dictate that caravan space and water heaters must draw their combustion air from outside the caravan and exhaust the combustion products to the outside air. Also the combustion products must not be exhausted into enclosed annexes (that includes fridges.)

Regarding those "catalytic heaters." Once upon a time they were promoted as being safe for use in caravans. The gas authorities jumped on the sellers and you will no longer find those products promoted for use in caravans.

Grey Gra · Member

Hi all.

I have a diesel heater still in its carton because I was quoted $1200 to fit. ( 2 x men @ 5 hours ). Can this be right? Is it such a big job?