The current state of the LPG (liquid petrol gas) fittings on boats is not satisfactory, given that on old boats fittings are not made according to the new safety conditions, repairs are mainly made without quality original parts, furthermore fittings are continually used over years without any maintenance and control, and, which is most alarming, in Croatia currently do not exist law-based regulations requiring regular control of boat fittings.
Basic safety characteristics are the built-in safety valve for 13,8 bar and working pressure to 7,5 bar, supporting connecting hoses towards standards DIN 4815, brass connector, stainless steel cartridge case for the tightening, thread holender for supporting connection, mark of year production of rubber hose, and use before date.
On over 90% of all new boats manufactured in Europe (after 2000), situation is much better, because they have products of the German company Gok (gas pipes, valves and regulators intended for boating programme), but here also, evident is lack of systematic maintenance and control before each boating season:
- Bavaria
- Elan
- Benetau
- Jeanneau
- Gib Sea
- Dufor itd.
In order to keep boat gas fittings in good condition and safe for the boat and crew, it is necessary to perform an annual service. According to the European laws, the owner is required, which especially applies to charter companies, not only to regularly service gas fittings, but also to have written statement on every repair and examination undertaken.
The annual service includes the ventilations control, control of safety devices on equipments, equipment control (cookers and similarly.), control of installation imperviousness and condition of pipelines and supporting runner hoses. Control and service, can realized only manufacturer´s authorized person with necessary issued the examination certificate, and towards European laws, certificate obligatory have be situated in the vessel. Currently, in Croatia are making the regulations according to European law, for the camping equipment and boat´s gas fittings.
Testing gas fittings - the pressure testing
• Medium - air
• Duration - 10 mins after temp. stabilization
• Examination pressure - 1 bar
• Control - gauged manometre
• 1x annual
• It is permitted to examine the regulator of pressure
Testing gas fittings - testing on the airtightness
• Medium - air
• Duration - 10 mins after temp. stabilization
• Examination pressure - 110-150 mbar
• Control - gauged manometre
• 1x annual
• It is permitted to examine the regulator of pressure
Testing gas fittings - controls of leakage supporting runner and regulators
• medium - gas propane-butan
• Working pressure - 30 mbar
• Control - gas detector
• 1x annual or after each service
Gas cookers on the boat - service
• Removal rusts
• Replacements of thermal elements
• Replacement battered burners and parts with original parts
• Control supporting runner and imperviousness
• Testing cookers in the work
• Representatives of ovens and cookers “ENO”
• All original parts “ENO” and “Techimpex”
• All accessories and equipment for gas installation from “GOK” company
At all point of sale of “HERMES-INTER” company
- Zagreb, Karlovacka c.32H Blato
- Biograd, Kralja Petra Svačića bb
- Zadar, Obala Kneza Branimira 28
- Split, Uvala Baluni 1
Service cookers as well as the testing gas fittings and certification
• Biograd, Kralja Petra Svačića bb
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