{"id":16883,"date":"2017-09-15T04:05:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-15T04:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=16883"},"modified":"2022-11-07T15:50:36","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T05:20:36","slug":"checking-gas-appliance-leaks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/checking-gas-appliance-leaks\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Check Your Gas Appliances for Leaks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just about every camper will have some sort of gas appliance to take camping. Whether it’s a stove<\/a>, lantern<\/a> or a heater<\/a> for those chilly nights, they all have one thing in common\u2026 flammable gas!<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it\u2019s not uncommon to hear on the news or through friends of the bad experiences some people have when using gas appliances. Explosions and burns are a very real risk when using any gas appliance, and most of the time it\u2019s due to an undetected gas leak.<\/p>\n

If you own a gas product then read on to find out how to detect potential leaks and prevent the worst scenario from happening to you or your loved ones!<\/p>\n

How to check for gas leaks:<\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Firstly, check for smell<\/h2>\n

Gas by itself is fairly odourless and therefore very difficult to detect. This is why a chemical called mercaptan is added that smells like rotten eggs, or sulphur. If you can smell something coming from your appliance, then there is a good chance you have a leak!<\/p>\n

\"Close<\/p>\n

The first and easiest thing to do is to check for the scent of rotten eggs or sulphur from your appliance. Photo: David Leslie.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Get a bottle of soapy water<\/h2>\n

One of the best ways to check for leaks is to use a spray bottle filled with soapy water. Spray the soapy water around the area you wish to check for leaks.<\/p>\n

\"Bottle-of-soapy-water\"<\/p>\n

Mix up a bottle of soapy water to use to check your gear. Photo: David Leslie.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

3. Turn on the gas bottle (not the appliance)<\/h2>\n

Once you’ve turned it on, if bubbles start to appear around the area tested then you have a leak.<\/p>\n

\"Checking-for-gas-leak-on-stove\"<\/p>\n

Spray the critical areas and turn on the gas bottle to see if bubbles appear. Photo: David Leslie<\/em><\/p>\n

What areas should you check?<\/h2>\n

The most common areas to check for leaks are at the connections of the appliance.<\/p>\n

Where the hose or appliance screws into the gas bottle or where the hose connects to the appliance are potential leak points.<\/p>\n

With the gas turned on check these connections. Also, check anywhere there is a threaded connection in the gas line.<\/p>\n

\"Stove-connection\"<\/p>\n

Check for leaks right where the hose connects to the appliance. Photo: David Leslie\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

How to stop the leak<\/h2>\n

The majority of the time, a threaded connection to the hose or appliance leaks because it isn’t tight enough. Most connections can be tightened with a spanner, so make sure you check them all before use.<\/p>\n

A lot of connections have a rubber O-ring or seal inside the thread. If this has perished or is\u00a0missing then a leak will occur. This should be checked before and after every use.<\/p>\n

Thread tape can be used to seal older or worn threaded connections. Make sure the tape you’re using is designed for gas applications and check it regularly as it won\u2019t last forever.<\/p>\n

\"Rubber<\/p>\n

Examine the O-ring to make sure it hasn’t been damaged or gone missing. Photo: David Leslie<\/em><\/p>\n

What to do if there is a fire<\/h2>\n

If the worst case scenario occurs and you end up with a gas fire then stay calm and act quickly. Depending on where you are, the best response is to get everyone out of danger. Then call the emergency services for professional help. A gas fire is extremely serious and should be treated as such.<\/p>\n

If it’s safe to access, turn off the gas bottle as quickly as possible. This can sometimes put the fire out once the gas is cut. If it is safe to do so, remove the bottle or any other gas bottles from immediate heat.<\/p>\n

In the event that it\u2019s not safe to turn the bottle off or move it and you don’t have phone reception to call for help or are in a remote area, then, unfortunately, the only course of action can be to wait for the gas to burn off. If you’re in this situation, and it’s safe to do so,\u00a0move as much gear away from the area to avoid the fire spreading.<\/p>\n

If you can access a hose, cool it off with water from a safe distance to prevent rupture. This is only used for a gas fire and not a fat or oil fire.<\/p>\n

\"blue<\/p>\n

To prevent the worst, check your gas bottle is in good condition before you use it. Photo: David Leslie\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Prevention is the best treatment<\/h2>\n

When it comes to gas products and the risk of a fire, prevention is the best treatment. Add a spray bottle of soapy water to your camping kit and check for leaks every time you connect the appliance up to use.<\/p>\n

If you’re in doubt whether your product is safe or not, take it back to the place of purchase to get the supplier to check it out. Take the time to keep your appliance clean, and well maintained to minimise the risk of anything going wrong.<\/p>\n

What safety measures do you put in place to help prevent gas leaks?\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n