External Gas Hose Length

[DDJC]

Hi gas experts.

I do nearly all cooking outside. I am replacing all my barbecue/stove 2018 orange 8mm gas hoses with new 2022 date stamped hose. The old hose worked OK, just looked a bit tired and worn.

I use an external gas point and Bullfinch plug. My question is this. I've read that the maximum hose length is 1.5m. Is this law, guidance, advice, suggestion or manufacturers recommendation? If so, why 1.5m? I have also read that it is 1.5 to reduce the trip hazard. No idea if this is true. Is there a performance loss with a longer hose?

Thanks all.

 

[Spanner]

I fitted a 5 metre length of 8mm hose to our bbq which allows us to use the bbq on either side or behind the van depending how we're parked and the bbq works fine.

 

[Two on Tour]

I fitted a 5 metre length of 8mm hose to our bbq which allows us to use the bbq on either side or behind the van depending how we're parked and the bbq works fine.

Same here.

 

[funflair]

It takes a little bit longer to light with the long hose as it purges the air but works fine after that.

 

[Spriddler]

My son with a caravan fitted a 4m length from the external outlet to his Weber BBQ and it works fine.
I think the length guidance is to reduce the tripping hazard. I did read a comment that if the length is too long its internal friction will reduce the pressure at the BBQ but I can't see that. I suppose it might limit the flow rate but in practise the i.d. of my son's hose is more than required by the BBQ on max output.

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[GJH]

The industry body advice (which appears to me to be guidance rather than law) is Here, CGS05.

 

[VXman]

The industry body advice (which appears to me to be guidance rather than law) is Here, CGS05.

That says - '0.5m for touring caravans in accordance with BS EN 1949' However, BS EN 1949 refers to gas use 'within' motorhomes.

Not read all the documents so there might be some other stuff in there. I guess if there is any regulation it would be related to general gas bottle/bbq use in leisure situations - not motorhome specific.

 

[ChrisL]

I have 5 mtrs of armoured gas hose with a qd connector at the end which the normal 1.5 mtr red hose on the gas bbq plugs into. If you decide to go this route make sure you get the correct internal diameter armoured pipe as it won't stretch to fit, I know this because the supplier sent me the wrong hose and had to send me the correct one, they look very similar so an easy mistake for their warehouse person to make.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I did read a comment that if the length is too long its internal friction will reduce the pressure at the BBQ but I can't see that.

When I had to take exams for pressure loss in pipes I counted four things the length of the pipe, the type of pipe, the number of bends used and the input rating of the appliance. When I set up my BBQ I ignored it all and used a 4mt hose. No problem

 

[GJH]

That says - '0.5m for touring caravans in accordance with BS EN 1949' However, BS EN 1949 refers to gas use 'within' motorhomes.

Not read all the documents so there might be some other stuff in there. I guess if there is any regulation it would be related to general gas bottle/bbq use in leisure situations - not motorhome specific.

I haven't read it either, just found what appeared to be industry advice having seen the question asked whether it was law, guidance or whatever.

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[DDJC]

Cheers everyone. I have taken your advice and ordered 50m of gas hose ...

What? I need more than that?

 

[Basildog]

Gas hose length for portable appliances is covered in BS5482 part 2 1977.
Biggest problem especially for leisure vehicle use would be that most appliances are manufactured to use 37 mbar on propane so are already not working at optimal performance.
Now add several meters of flexible hose and the pressure will inevitably drop more , “It states as short as practicable and no longer than 2 metres”

 

[Spriddler]

Cheers everyone. I have taken your advice and ordered 50m of gas hose ...

What? I need more than that?

Brilliant! You'll have the choice to use the BBQ with a choice of several neighbouring caravanners' gas when they're out.

 

[Odd-no-more]

There are so many variables on working out the pipe length, including how far from the gas regulator is the BBQ point, what size of tube has been used to supply it, how many bend/elbows what is the input of the BBQ etc. When I did mine I used the old gasman's trick. With the BBQ running on full I put on the hob burners and watched the BBQ flame which stayed constant. I'm happy with that.

 

[dunnah01]

I use a 3m orange pipe to my Safari Chef from the external BBQ point and it cooks just as badly as the 1m hose from a bottle in the garden.

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[dosser]

5m here as well no problems in 4yrs using it...Guy in the shop questioned the length obviously the max length thing. Just told him I was going to split it between a couple of appliances..