Need a gas detector for my house (butane / propane)

E

eamonn123456

Registered User
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My toddler has discovered switching on the gas hob.

Worried now that we will not notice and have an explosion.

We use Calor gas cylinders, the yellow ones (butane) but may yet switch to the red ones (propane).

Can someone recommend a gas detector for butane and propane please, and where to get one please?
 
Seems a bit excessive? Would it not be a better idea to teach her not to do it? Nature gas a nasty smell as you are aware of so it has decent in built warning properties.

Butanes odour threshold (level at which the human nose can detect it) is significantly
lower than its TLV (thresold limit value). The TLV is the safe level at which you can be exposed to it without adverse affects to your health.

All this aside if you have a leak, a build up of flammable gas above the lower explosion limit, a confined space and an ignition source you have the makings of a disaster.

If your dtermined to get a detector there are several online i.e.

http://www.professionalequipment.com/multi-gas-detector-methane-butane-propane-safety-siren-pro-series-hs80501/stationary-detectors/

I didn't check the spec of this one.
 
Ah yeah, I'll just teach 'her' not to do it. Can't see any possible flaw in that safety plan ;-)

And btw, with 2 under 2, we know all about nature gas, and propane or butane probably wouldn't even register in our nostrils at this point

Glad you pointed out that we could have a potential disaster if there was a leak tho - there was me thinking an explosion would be just a minor annoyance

And yes, I am still determined to get a gas detector, you can't make me not want one, iwantitiwantitiwantitiwantitiwantitiwantitiwantitiwantitIWANTIT!!!

So if anyone has an actual recommendation, as opposed to some random search result, that would be much appreciated
 
With an attitude like yours I can fully understand why others aren't putting themselves out to help you.

Get a life mate - you have bigger issues than a gas leak.
 
I have fitted quite a few but only ever in commercial premises. They would sound an alarm and shut gas at entry to building. Looking at about €600 for that set up. This inc 2 sniffers, one control panel and an automatic slam shut valve. you probably don't need this, so a quick search found me this: www.caravanning-online.co.uk/acatalog/etomer-twin-alarm.html

There are probably tonnes of them on the market. It may be worth your while to phone heatmerchants or Chadwicks etc to suss out what they have to offer.

Remember to read instructions carefully as different types of gas have different properties, E.G, LPG is heavier than air so sniffer/alarm is placed low while natural gas is lighter that air, sniffers placed at high level.
 
INteresting advice there Davy - thanks for that.

Will have a ring around and see what is suitable for a domestic setting.

Thanks again.
 
Maybe a better and safer idea, assuming your cooker/hob was installer correctly is shout have a small isolation (service) valve (usually accessed through the cupboard beside the cooker/hob) which you could turn off so even if the kids play with the hob no gas will be released.......

prevention is always the way to go, detection is secondary
 
Very true, another good point thanks, but unfortunately there is no such valve in my house, its just a yellow/orange cylinder outside, piped straight thru the wall and into the hob.
 
I did see a gas detector for sale in woodies about 3 or 4 months ago, perhaps there is one near you. As you know it is an LPG detector you need, and not natural gas detector. Do pay attention to the advice on location, because lpg in heavier than air, and natural gas in lighted than air.

Re the comments about the smell of gas, the smell is put into the gas to help make people aware of a leak, this is not very reliable because sometimes lots of odor comes in the gasand other times little odor comes. So in theory you could have a gas leak and have no gas smell.

By the way if you ever leave the house you should shut off the gas out doors, I have encountered gas hobs, ovens etc that do leak some gas when turned off

You are 100% correct to have concerns about gas leaks in your house. Untill you are sorted out do switch off the gas outside, i know it is a real pain at present, but better safe than sorry.
 
you mention it is piped through the wall, check the type of pipe used is it metal or rubber/plastic that is going through the wall? If plastic or rubber shut down immediately, because this can become damaged, and cause gas to leak into the cavity.

If metal, is the metal pipe sleeved, ie inside another pipe to provide protection from damage, this sleeve should also have mastic fitted inside the house on the sleeve where it enters the house, but not outside on the sleeve, this is additional protection, Pvc coated pipes still require additional sleeving. if this is not fitted, do get a gas guy to fit it. while s/he is there a shut off valve could easily be fitted indoors.
 
Davyjones, who do you work for? You are in the same line of work as myself....

Eamonn, I will ask our head office in the UK about what natural gas detectors we sell and I'll get back to you but you could do worse than calling Bord Gais as they might sell them direct or check your local B&Q/Woodies, etc
 
Hi,

I run a small independant plumbing and heating business. Of late we seem to do a lot of commercial work.

the OP is looking for a LPG detector btw.
 
DavyJones said:
Hi,

I run a small independant plumbing and heating business. Of late we seem to do a lot of commercial work.

the OP is looking for a LPG detector btw.
Click to expand...
We sell both types (lpg and Natural Gas).
They are the SF Distribution type SF210 series

There is also the hand held Ez series which might be just what the OP wants
 
Finally getting round to sorting this out!

Tried HEatmerchants, no joy. Chadwicks said they think they have it but have not sorted it out even tho I chased them.

[broken link removed] looks good but bit pricier than I wanted to spend.

What about this one:

[broken link removed]

Would it cover me for Calor (small bottle) which I think is LPG ?

Would I install it low down or up high? Low down I think? Trying to think where would be best in a normal kitchen with a gas hob.

Could go on the kick board but would prob get, er, kicked!

Any ideas please?
 
[broken link removed]

extract from above states:-

Purchase a carbon monoxide alarm.

[broken link removed]

Carbon Monoxide detectors/alarms are available in all good hardware stores. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and never keep them beyond the useful period advised. You may require more than one detector to give you full coverage. Check that the Carbon Monoxide alarm complies with the EN50291 standard.

Remember a Carbon Monoxide alarm can never be relied upon as a substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of appliances, vents, flues and chimneys. Carbon Monoxide alarms provide an extra safety precaution but never rely entirely on them.

The OP has prompted me to think seriously about buying such an alarm, but for natural gas detection. We're at the other end of the spectrum, age wise, and for various reasons, our senses are not as sharp as they once were. These alarms are probably as important as the smoke detectors. Sorry don't mean to go off topic. So, can anyone direct me to a "good hardware" store where one which meets the criteria can be bought. Thanks
 
I already have a CO detector, well worth the money, Tesco sells them.

Back on topic, natural gas detector is what i need.
 
Just thinking, would it not be better to have a shutoff valve installed (lets say accessed thru the cupboard next to the hob and put a child prevention lock on the cupboard?

prevention is much better than detection!
 
Prob will do both to be on the safe side.

Plus training them not to do it - maybe wire it up to the mains, would that work? ;-)
 
I find gas detectors to give a false sense of security, as in my experience they don't work well ( i look after a site with a hundred alarms fitted and they are cack), if the gas on your hob can be turned on and left on then you could look at changing your hob with a hob with a built in safety device to stop this from happening, you could also look at fitting a strip of wood to prevent them from reaching the controls or you could remove the control taps which should lift off easily (in a ideal world) and refit when you want to use the hob. A gas detector may or may not alert you to a gas leak, but fitting a physical isolation valve as DGOBS has suggested would be the way i would do it for 100% safety, Gary
 
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