propane bottles on back bumper?

[mmoore6856]

Originally Posted by Ak3Spirit

The NFPA-70 & NEC are MINIMUM STANDARDS only for SAFETY and are revised on a regular basis. In engineering we also have a standard: you can’t engineer out stupid no matter how many scenarios you envision or test for.

yea your right on the stupid thing its even here

[Ak3Spirit]

Originally Posted by Kaklehr

I'm adding a steel platform to the back of my bus to accommodate my scooter. I also plan to mount two LP tanks to the back of the platform - next to the rear wall of my bus. Thoughts?

Place your tanks in a steel box like a Knack Box. They do get stolen on occasion.

[Sharee100]

I read a thread about leaving the big tank at home and using it to fill the 1 lb tanks. They would be easier to store on the bus. Would that work here?

[Johnny Mullet]

Propane canisters are pretty safe. Especially exchange sized ones. Carrying any kind of propane on any vehicle can be dangerous. The main reason propane causes fires is when the main valve on the tank is left in the ON or OPEN position.

I have a propane oven and instant hot water heater in my bus. My exchangeable propane can is mounted securely inside the bus so that even a rollover or any collision would not cause it to explode only if the main tank valve is ON. The tank is always off unless in use. If the main valve is ON then a hose rub through, leaking propane accessory, or accident can cause a fire.

And explosion of a closed tank would require excessive heat or fractured or damaged tank/valve with a nearby ignition point. A propane tank stored in a lot of heat like a hot summer day in an enclosed compartment may cause a tank to "vent" since they are equipped with this safety feature.

Basically, you can carry propane safely even on your lap. Just make sure the tank valve is closed when not in use.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

Propane canisters are pretty safe. Especially exchange sized ones. Carrying any kind of propane on any vehicle can be dangerous. The main reason propane causes fires is when the main valve on the tank is left in the ON or OPEN position.

I have a propane oven and instant hot water heater in my bus. My exchangeable propane can is mounted securely inside the bus so that even a rollover or any collision would not cause it to explode only if the main tank valve is ON. The tank is always off unless in use. If the main valve is ON then a hose rub through, leaking propane accessory, or accident can cause a fire.

And explosion of a closed tank would require excessive heat or fractured or damaged tank/valve with a nearby ignition point. A propane tank stored in a lot of heat like a hot summer day in an enclosed compartment may cause a tank to "vent" since they are equipped with this safety feature.

Basically, you can carry propane safely even on your lap. Just make sure the tank valve is closed when not in use.

IDK about that. I think the pressure relief valve is “live” no matter opened or closed.

I will say I’m guilty of carrying propane cylinders in my car - while smoking!

I’ve thought about that a lot. I won’t ever do that again.

Just think about a tank popping off in an enclosed space even if there isn’t a fire you better hope you can get the hell out in a hurry.

[banman]

Originally Posted by Danjo

IDK about that. I think the pressure relief valve is “live” no matter opened or closed.

I will say I’m guilty of carrying propane cylinders in my car - while smoking!

I’ve thought about that a lot. I won’t ever do that again.

Just think about a tank popping off in an enclosed space even if there isn’t a fire you better hope you can get the hell out in a hurry.

I've had that happen!
When I lived in my camper, every couple weeks I'd get my 25pounder's filled. I think because I filled 'em so often, the tech probably overfilled them a little for me...
Well, they were in my Scout on a typically sunny Colorado day. While driving one of the tanks pressure relief valves did what it's supposed to do -- I heard the whoosh and then smelled the gas and pulled over quick as I could -- it was loud and didn't take long to fill the Scout with gas -- took the offending tank out and opened the little valve they open during filling to let the pressure out a little faster -- could still hear the relief valve whooshing away...

You do not want these tanks inside where they might get hot enough to expand, or if a valve fails to leak unnoticed and un-vented...

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Not the worst place, big explosive warnings keep people back

You assume that people actually pay attention when they're driving. I know better after 4 years in an 18-wheeler. 9 out of 10 that passed me had their nose stuck in their phone.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by Sharee100

I read a thread about leaving the big tank at home and using it to fill the 1 lb tanks. They would be easier to store on the bus. Would that work here?

I don’t know if I’d go that small. I explored the use of 11 pound tanks to make it easier to fit a tank under body. There are also 5 pounders. In the end I concluded that my best option was to make a compartment that fits a standard 20 pound tank. They are available at almost every gas station, supermarket, convenience store and hardware store and the container can be readily exchanged.

In my Thomas Minotour, the space below the skirt measures 20 inches and the tank is 18”, so it will just fit. Im going to use a square milk crate as a caddy and I’m making a bolt together box out of 3” angle and 1/4” plate, I cut a door in the side of the bus and installed a latch. This is it so far

[Oscar1]

Hey there Danjo. That's some very nice looking hatch work you got there. I love the fitment around the wheel arch, I was planning similar square underbody hatch but think I may steal that from you if you don't mind.
Cheers

[ol trunt]

Nice job. I love the attention to detail!
Jack

[TheArgobus]

Here's a few pics of my setup. This is between the aft left wheel well and the bumper (it's an E350).









This compartment isn't visible from the outside, and is just big enough for a 5 gallon/1 pound tank. But it is forward of the aft bumper, and higher than the axle, so I feel safe having it there. It's definitely inconvenient, but it is safe.


It was super easy to build too. I just used slotted angle with bolts and locking washers to secure the pieces together and also to the floor. No welding necessary.

[Oscar1]

Originally Posted by TheArgobus

Here's a few pics of my setup. This is between the aft left wheel well and the bumper (it's an E350).








This compartment isn't visible from the outside, and is just big enough for a 5 gallon/1 pound tank. But it is forward of the aft bumper, and higher than the axle, so I feel safe having it there. It's definitely inconvenient, but it is safe.


It was super easy to build too. I just used slotted angle with bolts and locking washers to secure the pieces together and also to the floor. No welding necessary.

That works! Keep it simple and keep it safe. The only place for a propane tank is outside of the vehicle.

[john61ct]

Structurally inside is no problem other than lost space.

Air tight sealed from the inside and down-vented to outdoors is the key.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Danjo

I don’t know if I’d go that small. I explored the use of 11 pound tanks to make it easier to fit a tank under body. There are also 5 pounders. In the end I concluded that my best option was to make a compartment that fits a standard 20 pound tank. They are available at almost every gas station, supermarket, convenience store and hardware store and the container can be readily exchanged.

In my Thomas Minotour, the space below the skirt measures 20 inches and the tank is 18”, so it will just fit. Im going to use a square milk crate as a caddy and I’m making a bolt together box out of 3” angle and 1/4” plate, I cut a door in the side of the bus and installed a latch. This is it so far

That hatch/door is fantastic. Well-executed and it really fits perfectly into the exterior style of the bus - once it's painted it will look like it was always there.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

That hatch/door is fantastic. Well-executed and it really fits perfectly into the exterior style of the bus - once it's painted it will look like it was always there.

I’ve tried really hard to keep it looking as stock as possible. Here’s the other side painted. Still need trim paint. There’s a toolbox too

[plfking]

Originally Posted by Danjo

I’ve tried really hard to keep it looking as stock as possible. Here’s the other side painted. Still need trim paint. There’s a toolbox too

That's some mighty fine work.

[The Fiddler]

If it’s a school bus with the rather standard skirt on the side, you have about 14 inches of space underneath where you can mount horizontal propane tanks. They are more expensive but quite useful for that purpose. You may also need to cut a door in the side of the skirt to access the tanks. I actually also installed a compartment underneath for my horizontal tanks.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Danjo

I’ve tried really hard to keep it looking as stock as possible. Here’s the other side painted. Still need trim paint. There’s a toolbox too

Thats real nice work, Danjo. Well thought out and executed.

[obrien creek farm]

Yeah, Danjo, I see by your outfit that you are a craftsman. I have the same water heater, and visualized the install just like your's. I hope mine comes out as nice. Thanks for the pics.

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by Danjo

You can’t put them on the bumper and you can’t carry them inside or on The roof.

Read NFPA 1192

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stand...tail?code=1192

Thanks for the link Danjo. I registered and found this:

5.2.3.4
Containers shall not be mounted on the exterior of the rear wall or the rear bumper of the vehicle.

I think this directly addresses the question. No can do this and still meet the spec.

5.2.21.2
...
(2) The high-pressure propane system shall be located entirely on the exterior of the vehicle or in an compartment that is vapor resistant to the vehicle's interior and vented to the outside at or near the bottom of compartment.

There's a lot more detail on what the 'compartment that is vapor resistant' should consist of.

Bottom line: you can meet the requirements of NFPA 1192 provided you build a compartment meeting their specifications.