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Propane Compartment Floor

Yahoo Message Number: 13031
I know that the propane compartment must be thoroughly ventilated to prevent the accumulation of gas vapors, but I've installed a plastic grating (from a fluorescent light fixture) as the bottom of the compartment so I can carry some odds'n'ends in the compartment that I want to be able to grab at a moment's notice without unlocking a door.
Like chocks and awning rod. I also carry the stinky genset exhaust pipe extension hose in that compartment, which remains well ventilated with that stuff in there. I also want to carry several small LP tanks in there ... the type that's used in a small BBQ grille. These shouldn't be carried on board or in a sealed basement compartment.
The problem is that I want to install a more substantial floor than the fragile plastic grating I'm currently using. Not so I can put more stuff in there ... but to better support what IS in there. Any ideas? Has anyone else done this? Suggestions?

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: Propane Compartment Floor

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13032
Dick,

May want to rethink your shelf. Maybe use a corrugated metal shelf. The idea of the no shelf is so if you have a propane leak the gas will drop to the ground & disperse. Good ventilation is not good enough.

Food for thought.............
Steve

Intrigue #10673

Quote from: Dick Campagna
> I know that the propane compartment must be thoroughly ventilated to

prevent

Quote
the accumulation of gas vapors, but I've installed a plastic grating

(from a

Quote
fluorescent light fixture) as the bottom of the compartment so I can

carry

Quote
some odds'n'ends in the compartment that I want to be able to grab at a > moment's notice without unlocking a door.
> Like chocks and awning rod. I also carry the stinky genset exhaust

pipe

Quote
extension hose in that compartment, which remains well ventilated

with that

Quote
stuff in there. I also want to carry several small LP tanks in

there ...

Quote
the type that's used in a small BBQ grille. These shouldn't be

carried on

Quote
board or in a sealed basement compartment.
> The problem is that I want to install a more substantial floor than the > fragile plastic grating I'm currently using. Not so I can put more

stuff in

Quote
there ... but to better support what IS in there. Any ideas? Has

anyone

Re: Propane Compartment Floor

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13034
Quote

Dick,

I think some of the others of the group have used expanded metal, basically a steel net > that is strong enough to hold anything you put on it, plus is completely open.

Larry
Intrigue
10762

Re: Propane Compartment Floor

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13035
I purchased a 48 1/2" by 30 1/2" piece of expanded steel at Metal Supermarkets in Tampa for $16.80. This is the same stuff the lawn care companies use to build their trailers and it is really strong with 3/4" x 1" holes. The thing I really like is that it is easy to use bungee cords to keep stuff from bouncing around. I got the idea from several other CC owners who were very happy with their expanded steel floors.

Metal Supermarkets 813-241-2276

Regards,

Bob Kumza

2003 Intrigue

Quote from: Dick\[br\
Campagna"] > I know that the propane compartment must be thoroughly ventilated

to prevent

Quote
the accumulation of gas vapors, but I've installed a plastic
grating (from a

Quote
fluorescent light fixture) as the bottom of the compartment so I

can carry

Quote
some odds'n'ends in the compartment that I want to be able to grab

at a

Quote
moment's notice without unlocking a door.

Like chocks and awning rod. I also carry the stinky genset

exhaust pipe

Quote
extension hose in that compartment, which remains well ventilated

with that

Quote
stuff in there. I also want to carry several small LP tanks in

there ...

Quote
the type that's used in a small BBQ grille. These shouldn't be

carried on

Quote
board or in a sealed basement compartment.

The problem is that I want to install a more substantial floor

than the

Quote
fragile plastic grating I'm currently using. Not so I can put
more stuff in

Quote
there ... but to better support what IS in there. Any ideas?

Has anyone

Re: Propane Compartment Floor

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13036
From: "rheavn" ssfarms1@...>
Dick wrote ...

Quote
The problem is that I want to install a more substantial floor than the > > fragile plastic grating I'm currently using. Not so I can put more > > stuff in there ... but to better support what IS in there. Any ideas? > > Has

> anyone else done this? Suggestions?
> Dick, May want to rethink your shelf. Maybe use a corrugated metal
shelf. The idea of the no shelf is so if you have a propane leak the gas will drop to the ground & disperse. Good ventilation is not good enough.

The plastic grating I'm currently using is just that ... an open grating ... which provides plenty of ventilation, but isn't as strong as I'd like. I think I'll check Lowe's (as suggested by another), Home Depot, or other building supply store for ideas. I'll report back.

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Propane Compartment

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13144
Posts in recent days discussed installing a ventilated floor in the propane tank compartment. One poster suggested expanded metal.
Another cautioned installing any floor could cause ventilation problems.

I emailed Al Cohoe. Those of you who have attended Life on Wheels will be familiar with his name. For others, Al instructs the RV Technician Program at Okanagan University College.

His replied with the following:

"If I understand your thought, your propane tank has an access door similar to other compartments, but has no bottom. You are thinking of putting an expanded metal floor in and use it for storage of your small cylinder. The expanded metal will still give more than adequate ventilation. The only thing to ensure is that you have adequate support to hold the small cylinder. They require support equal to 8 times their own weight. If it is a 20 lb cylinder, it will weigh about 40 pounds when full. Hope this helps you.

"Any units that have cylinders installed will have bottoms in them and venting around the door. The minimum venting required for a propane storage compartment is approx 3 sq in. at or in the floor." Al
Jim

'98 Country Coach #10613

Re: Propane Compartment

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13148
I am afraid Al only addressed part of the problem.
Once you have build a well ventilated floor, it is important what and how you stow item in the space.

Don't store a bucket in it, or if you instist, store it upside down.
Thus no LPG can collect in it. Same for boxes or any other item that is open higher up and closed at the bottom.
I can clearly see that CC doesn't do it for us, as there are always people that don't think about consequences (and plenty of lawyers assisting them in recovery for their lack of doing so -Oops, I am showing my bias against some in the forementioned profession-)

Quote from: lacamastraveler