Lpg tank retest

[texpis]

Hi all I have just taken out an insurance with Adrian flux and they are asking that the tank, pressure release valve and system is checked periodically as advised by installer. I have looked at my certificate and the tank retest is due. I live in the north east of England where can I get this done? Is it expensive? I also asks if it is on the UKLPG register how can I find this out.

Mick

[rossko]

http://www.drivelpg.co.uk/advice-and-in ... -register/

It's rarely economic to fully recertify an autogas tank, cheaper to buy new - but that may not be necessary depending on the circumstances. I would have thought a routine service with a local fitter would cover Adrain Flux other worries.

[texpis]

Hi and thanks for the reply rossko the car is not on the registry it was converted by pressland Autogas systems it was done in 2002 should hey have put it on the system? Nothing was mentioned to me from Adrian flux about the gas conversion so I am probably in a world of pain to get my cash back. The tank looks like brand new, it has always been inside. The vaporiser and safety relay are new. Is it law that these test are carried out?

Mick

[Gilbertd]

If you've got an old LPGA certificate, which I assume you have as you know who fitted it, then you can send that to UKLPG (as LPGA now call themselves) and they should add it to the Register. Not sure what would be your easiest route regarding the tank. It might be worth getting it re-inspected by a UKLPG member and seeing what they recommend.

[texpis]

After being to the UKLPG site The certificate is not one of there's its a piece of card with all the info about the installation and it's been installed to lpg association code of practice 11.

Mick

[Gilbertd]

In that case you'll need to have it inpected by a UKLPG member who will advise on the tank and will enter it on the Register if they decide it passes. If it was originally installed to CoP11, then it should pass as that is the standard that they check it against..

[texpis]

Cheers for that what would the cost be?

[rossko]

Ballpark for a standard test is around £100, phone around.

Do talk to them about your tank age issue before booking in. I would consider signing off an elderly tank in good condition as you describe - but I'd want to empty it and look inside for hidden rust, and to fit a brand new multivalve (so that the pressure relief valve is new). That would double the cost.
Other inspectors may reject it out of hand.

[SimonHobson]

Is it law that these test are carried out?

Rossko has picked up the rest, but I thought I'd pick up on that one. The simple answer is NO, however it's isn't really that simple !

The need to test/recertify an LPG tank almost certainly comes from the pressure vessel regulations - but contrary to popular belief they do not mandate periodical tests. All that the law requires is that there is an appropriate maintenance/inspection regime in place to maintain ongoing safety - leaving that to the responsible person to determine.

As Rossko hints at, if the tank is inside, shows no signs of rust or damage, then there's no reason not to carry on using it. No need to pressure test it as that was done at the factory and it won't have deteriorated. So no practical reason not to continue using a tank for (say) 20 years.
On the other hand, I've seen tanks only a few years old that are no longer really fit for purpose - mounted underneath, exposed to stonechips and road salt etc so covered in rust scabbing. Thus making the 10 year life pretty meaningless.

In practical terms, unless someone like Rossko is prepared to "sign it off" for continued use (so your insurance company doesn't go all jobsworth on you), then the simple answer is to replace it with a new one. A basic cylinder is not very expensive, and you need to be getting into some of the specialist tanks before the cost spread over 10 years is significant in the grans scheme of things.

[rossko]

...shows no signs of rust or damage, then there's no reason not to carry on using it ..... it won't have deteriorated.

Just to highlight/repeat. looking for those signs must extend to the inside; none of us can otherwise know that a spoonful of salty water wasn't blasted in during a winters morn fillup a decade ago.

[mat_fenwick]

Out of interest, is this something you've come across when inspecting tank internals? Although I do realise that even if it's not been observed, doesn't mean it won't happen. And if I was taking on the responsibility of signing it off, I'd certainly want to check as much as I could!

[rossko]

Nope. Never been asked to pass an elderly tank, though have condemned tank for external pitting.