Russ and Tina DeMaris
In a previous story we mentioned that sometimes folks that have truck campers can have a hassle getting their horizontal LP containers filled without a "current" overfill protection device (OPD) valve. Reader Gary Brinck was quick to let a concern he had. He writes, "The article falls a bit short of the whole story and may leave some folks worrying about the horizontal tanks in their motorhomes."
Gary makes a valid point: There is a distinction between portable LP containers, those which are made to be removed from the RV for refilling, and permanently mounted tanks that are found on motorhomes. The refilling of portable containers, as found in truck campers and all sorts of trailers, falls under the guidelines set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
As we pointed out in the earlier story, portable LP containers are subject to periodic inspection and recertification; most of them must be equipped with triangle shaped shut off valves that indicate they have an OPD valve. Motorhome tanks are a horse of a different color. Permanently mounted motorhome LP tanks are manufactured under the precise dictates of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Most already have an OPD valve. But what about their recertification?
Bruce Sweichicki, the senior technical advisor of the National Propane Gas Association stepped up to the plate to clarify the issue. His organization is the trade group representing LP retailers. Referring to the NFPA code that directs how propane refillers are to act, Mr. Sweichicki writes, "NFPA 58 does not require ASME to be requalified or reinspected. There are no provisions in NFPA 58 that even address periodic requalification of ASME containers."
In a practical sense then, your motorhome tank doesn't have to be requalified like a portable container. In the real world, life isn't always that easy. As Gary Brinck writes, "[A] complaint that I hear from time to time is that the LP refill guy refuses to refill a motorhome tank because it does not have a current (last 12 years) certification stamp." So what's the problem? Most likely poor training of LP refill attendants is the culprit. Gary says he hears most complaints about this issue come up when RVers try to fill up at Flying J. His suggestion is if the attendant refuses to fill your motorhome for a "recertification" issue, ask to speak to the manager. If the manager himself is ignorant of the matter, suggest he call the corporate office. That should take care of the problem in short order.
rvtravel.com
In a previous story we mentioned that sometimes folks that have truck campers can have a hassle getting their horizontal LP containers filled without a "current" overfill protection device (OPD) valve. Reader Gary Brinck was quick to let a concern he had. He writes, "The article falls a bit short of the whole story and may leave some folks worrying about the horizontal tanks in their motorhomes."
Gary makes a valid point: There is a distinction between portable LP containers, those which are made to be removed from the RV for refilling, and permanently mounted tanks that are found on motorhomes. The refilling of portable containers, as found in truck campers and all sorts of trailers, falls under the guidelines set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
As we pointed out in the earlier story, portable LP containers are subject to periodic inspection and recertification; most of them must be equipped with triangle shaped shut off valves that indicate they have an OPD valve. Motorhome tanks are a horse of a different color. Permanently mounted motorhome LP tanks are manufactured under the precise dictates of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Most already have an OPD valve. But what about their recertification?
Bruce Sweichicki, the senior technical advisor of the National Propane Gas Association stepped up to the plate to clarify the issue. His organization is the trade group representing LP retailers. Referring to the NFPA code that directs how propane refillers are to act, Mr. Sweichicki writes, "NFPA 58 does not require ASME to be requalified or reinspected. There are no provisions in NFPA 58 that even address periodic requalification of ASME containers."
In a practical sense then, your motorhome tank doesn't have to be requalified like a portable container. In the real world, life isn't always that easy. As Gary Brinck writes, "[A] complaint that I hear from time to time is that the LP refill guy refuses to refill a motorhome tank because it does not have a current (last 12 years) certification stamp." So what's the problem? Most likely poor training of LP refill attendants is the culprit. Gary says he hears most complaints about this issue come up when RVers try to fill up at Flying J. His suggestion is if the attendant refuses to fill your motorhome for a "recertification" issue, ask to speak to the manager. If the manager himself is ignorant of the matter, suggest he call the corporate office. That should take care of the problem in short order.
rvtravel.com
