By pandas on Sunday, 04 May 2014
Posted in Top Motorhome Tips
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A Gas outlet into an enclosed space is a bit of an issue; not according to the some of the organisations and manufacturers we have already flagged this issue up to (those that bothered to ring back that is)!
Problem. A 'zip' type canopy installed as a dealer option when buying our new A Class motorhome. The canopy is installed so it covers the habitation door which also happens to have the gas outlet from the boiler right next to it.
We can see that using the canopy as an overhead sun shade is not an issue however using the sides and the wheel and underneath attachments to make an enclosed room/space/awning, which it is designed to achieve, means that the gas outlet pumps toxic fumes straight into this space. The only advice we have had is to use the canopy 'sensibly'. Not good enough for such an important point in our view.
We believe that this is a fundamental design flaw that positively encourages a potential lethal situation.
For your information CCC have provided a very lukewarm response. The nccorg which is meant to represent good practice within the industry have not bother to respond at all even after chasing.
Anyhow be safe and please be aware of the potential issue.
A couple of years ago there was a death on a New Forest campsite due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Granted the case was not exactly the potential scenarion you have outlined - they were using a barbeque inside an awning; but it amounts to teh same thing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2126693/Holmsley-campsite-tragedy-Isabelle-Harris-poisoned-BBQ-New-Forest-Hampshire.html

So I would say you are absolutely correct. Since this is a C&CC/Forest Campsite, you may want to ask them for thier comments in the light of your response to the issue you raised?
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8 years ago
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Our new Hobby has the boiler vent and intake just forward of the habitation door. We had them fit a 4 metre awning as the standard fit 3.5 metre seemed to be short and barely covered the door. Thinking about it now it could be that they were trying to avoid the very problem you highlight. It will not bother us though as we rarely stay more than two or three nights and have never used the Fiamma Zip awning room that came with the last van. I guess you could fit some of that extractor piping that is used on tumble dryers and route it out of the awning room. It does stand quite a bit of heat from the dryer.
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8 years ago
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As a retired CORGI gas engineer it seems odd to me that houses in the UK were not allowed a flue outlet closer than 600mm (2ft in old money)to any window opening or door :woohoo: yet M/H makers seem put them where it is most convenient for them. Obviously there are different specs for mobile applications but I have not seen the respective normative docs, so I can only assume they must comply with some reg or other.
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8 years ago
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