RV Fire

Dutch_12078 wrote:

timjet wrote:

Question; excuse my ignorance I'm new to this and haven't yet had to refill the propane tank on my DP, but comments on this thread indicate the propane tank shutoff valve should be OFF when refilling. I'm thinking of my home BBQ tank and you can't refill the 20lb portable tank without opening the valve. There must be another way on the coach propane tank.

Incidentally turning off the propane tank is on my campground departure checklist. The fridge uses the inverter with the batteries recharged by the engine alternator. It just makes sense to me not to have pressurized propane in the pipes throughout the coach when traveling 60 mph.

The permanent ASME tanks installed in motorhomes have a separate service valve and filler port, unlike the DOT "BBQ" cylinders that have a combined service and filler valve.

Did you know the propane in your RV beyond the regulator is only pressurized to about 0.4 PSI? The fuel line to your engine is pressurized at 40+ PSI.

Does this mean, if you want a taller flame on your grill, hook it up to your fuel line on your engine?

timjet wrote:

Question; excuse my ignorance I'm new to this and haven't yet had to refill the propane tank on my DP, but comments on this thread indicate the propane tank shutoff valve should be OFF when refilling. I'm thinking of my home BBQ tank and you can't refill the 20lb portable tank without opening the valve. There must be another way on the coach propane tank.

Incidentally turning off the propane tank is on my campground departure checklist. The fridge uses the inverter with the batteries recharged by the engine alternator. It just makes sense to me not to have pressurized propane in the pipes throughout the coach when traveling 60 mph.

The permanent ASME tanks installed in motorhomes have a separate service valve and filler port, unlike the DOT "BBQ" cylinders that have a combined service and filler valve.

Did you know the propane in your RV beyond the regulator is only pressurized to about 0.4 PSI? The fuel line to your engine is pressurized at 40+ PSI.

johnhicks wrote:
Doug I think you're right but I don't believe a propane filler has even touched my propane valve in nine years. I make sure everything is off myself.

Doug is absolutely right. In your case, I'd expect the attendant to double check that the service valve is off before proceeding.

Doug I think you're right but I don't believe a propane filler has even touched my propane valve in nine years. I make sure everything is off myself.

1. The RV Doctor and RV 101 are NOT always the best source for correct information
2. The refers are DESIGNED to be run in transit. The LP systems are DESIGNED to be ON in transit
3. There have been tens of millions of RV's (motorhomes)in transit with their Refers ON over the past 50 years. I will bet you cannot find more than 10 that have had a fire CAUSED by the refer being on, when fueling either LP or Gasoline.
4. This is a horrible thing to happen, but it happened because the LP fueling station did NOT follow correct procedures for using LP.
5. I REPEAT--- IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE LP STATION DID NOT FOLLOW CORRECT PROCEDURES FOR USING AND FILLING LP. PERIOD. Doug

newman fulltimer wrote:
my question is why were 7 people still in the rv. That is number 1 rule everybody out 2make sure all electronics appliances off 3 make sure gas is off then start to fill

My thoughts exactly. Everything off, everyone out and away from the coach, then it gets filled.

Old guy, did you mean to say propane tank off instead of fridge off when traveling?

Question; excuse my ignorance I'm new to this and haven't yet had to refill the propane tank on my DP, but comments on this thread indicate the propane tank shutoff valve should be OFF when refilling. I'm thinking of my home BBQ tank and you can't refill the 20lb portable tank without opening the valve. There must be another way on the coach propane tank.

Incidentally turning off the propane tank is on my campground departure checklist. The fridge uses the inverter with the batteries recharged by the engine alternator. It just makes sense to me not to have pressurized propane in the pipes throughout the coach when traveling 60 mph.

why fridge on ?? because it has been said on the forum too many time that it's OK to travel with it on. one of the dumbest things on the planet is to travel with it on because you are going to forget to turn it off when you fuel up. many RV people like the RV DR or the guy from rv education 101 tell you to turn it off. I have preached for years to turn it off and they still run with it on, it's a tough lesson for people who think it will never happen to them. I have been told to mind my own business by people on this forum and I don't know what I'm talking about. well, I have fought fires in RV's over my 30 years of service as firefighter, one was a brand new super C and it was toast when the fridge got done with it.

my question is why were 7 people still in the rv. That is number 1 rule everybody out 2make sure all electronics appliances off 3 make sure gas is off then start to fill

1. The refer had no pilot light. It had an Auto ignition system. That means the refer could be lit at anytime if calling for cold OR it could have cycled ON when they were filling
2. PROPER fill you ALWAYS turn the LP tank OFF. That means the LP filler and U Haul will be liable for all damages, not the RV family.
3. By ALWAYS turning the tank OFF prior to filling, ANY LP appliance that may be running will deplete the existing LP in the lines in about 30 seconds. Even if NO appliance was running and the tank OFF, and a Appliance came ON, it would deplete the LP in the lines in that same 30 seconds
4. The Filler (if he was trained correctly) would have made sure the LP system was OFF and that the interior appliances were in the OFF mode
5. Since LP is heavier than air, there must have been a massive amount of LP on the ground. Even with the 80 percent valve open during fill, the amount it would bleed off should have NOT be enough to get to an ignition source. While LP is heavier than air, if you have an excess amount, the surrounding wind and even walking around can easily whip it up higher to get to that ignition source. Doug