What are gas hoses?
What are gas hoses? |
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Gas hoses are flexible tubes that join regulators to appliances and gas cylinders. They’re an important but vulnerable part of your gas installation, so treat them with care.
There are two main types of gas hose:
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High pressure hoses |
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Under UK and European law, high pressure hoses have to be sold as an assembly. That means they must come complete with factory-fitted ferrules (metal sleeves) and connectors at each end, to reduce the risk of gas leaks.
You’re allowed to use a high pressure hose for a low pressure appliance, but not vice versa. |
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High pressure hoses for LPG use have to meet BS (British Standards) 3212 Type 2 classification, which requires a double-walled reinforced hose with an outer covering in either orange or black.
Both high and low pressure hoses must have the BS number, date of manufacture and name of manufacturer stamped on them. |
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High pressure hoses are used with any appliance that needs a powerful heat output above 100,000 BTU per hour. This includes, for example, gas torches, warehouse heaters, grain dryers, large barbecues and brooding equipment for poultry and game birds. | |||
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The short hoses that run between wall-mounted regulators and gas cylinders in caravans and motorhomes are called pigtails.
As they are all high pressure hoses, they have to be manufactured with built-in connectors and shouldn’t be more than one metre long. Most of them are black, but you can also get stainless steel ones, known as armoured hose, which will last longer. |
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Low pressure hoses |
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Low pressure gas hoses have to comply with BS 3212 Type 1, which states that they must be orange or black and be secured with proper worm drive clips – round metal clamps which are smooth on the inside. They don’t have to be reinforced to the same extent as high pressure hoses. | |||
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They are used for appliances that need a relatively low heat output such as camping stoves, patio heaters and caravan fridges. | |||
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Because low pressure hoses don’t come with their own connectors, you need to be extra careful when fitting them.
Always push the hose as far onto the barb, or spigot, of the regulator as it will go, and tighten the clip gently so that it fits securely but doesn’t bite into the hose. |
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Which hose should you buy? |
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Whether you need a high or low pressure hose, always buy the best you can afford and never get one second-hand as it may have hidden defects.
Unless you’re only going to use it occasionally, getting a cheap hose is a false economy. A poor quality one is likely to be made of thinner, less flexible material which will be more liable to hardening, cracking and leaks. You’ll soon have to replace it. |
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