Gas leak blamed for Tasmanian caravan deaths

[alnjan]

Gas leak blamed for Tas caravan deaths

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8437060/gas-leak-blamed-for-tas-caravan-deaths

A leaking gas appliance has been blamed for the deaths of three men in a Tasmanian camping tragedy.

The men, including a father and son, died in a caravan in the central highlands after a gas bottle attached to a portable fridge and stove was left on overnight.

A friend, who was camping in a tent outside the caravan with his nine-year-old son, discovered the men's bodies about 8am (AEDT) on Saturday.

They had been on a hunting trip and were camped at Little Lagoon.

"There was a gas cylinder which was still turned on in the caravan, which was connected to a portable fridge-freezer and a cooking stove.

"The indications are that one of the appliances in the caravan has either been left turned on overnight, or it has leaked overnight, which has caused the caravan to fill with carbon monoxide or gas and led to their deaths."

[DannyG]

That's terrible I hope it is no one I know

[krisandkev]

That is so sad.  All were out to just have fun.

I know you should never use a 3 way portable fridge when  on gas or a gas stove when indoors, but not being a caravan owner, could this happen if you left your built-in 3 way fridge on gas when you are sleeping in the caravan? Sorry if this is a stupid question. 
Kevin

[D4D]

As I understand it, gas is heavier than air hence why caravan doors usually have a vent for the gas to escape...

[rockygu4.8]

That is so sad.  All were out to just have fun.

I know you should never use a 3 way portable fridge when  on gas or a gas stove when indoors, but not being a caravan owner, could this happen if you left your built-in 3 way fridge on gas when you are sleeping in the caravan? Sorry if this is a stupid question. 
Kevin

I doubt it as your built in 3 way fridge is vented to the outside. Mine has gone out a couple of times and no gas has been smelt inside. Don't know a great deal about the gas side of things or the regulator on the front of the van but i think the flow is stopped if the gas was to go out but could be wrong either way its vented so no biggy. If this was an issue you wouldn't see them fitted inside caravans etc and 3 ways have been around for yrs still a tragic event looks as if a leak might have ocourred which is just sad and such a waste thoughts to all concerned.

[Isuzumu]

The van was probably all closed up, probably was cold down there, not allowing the gas to escape. Poor buggers.

[maurerless]

That is so sad.  All were out to just have fun.

I know you should never use a 3 way portable fridge when  on gas or a gas stove when indoors, but not being a caravan owner, could this happen if you left your built-in 3 way fridge on gas when you are sleeping in the caravan? Sorry if this is a stupid question. 
Kevin

If a built in fridge is installed corectly the rear of the fridge will be sealed from the main part of the van/camper. The vents will allow gas and fumes to dissipate outside. That is a small, but certainly one of the reasons I have modified my camper. http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=15808.msg290688#msg290688

However if you have a portable gas fridge (or any gas appliance for that matter) running inside the cabin you would need to be careful about Carbon monoxide and Carbon Dioxide build up if there is inadequate ventilation.

Tony

[maurerless]

Mine has gone out a couple of times and no gas has been smelt inside. Don't know a great deal about the gas side of things or the regulator on the front of the van but i think the flow is stopped if the gas was to go out but could be wrong either way its vented so no biggy.

Most fridges should have the auto gas shutoff - that's why you have to hold down the button for a while when lighting them...

[rockygu4.8]

Most fridges should have the auto gas shutoff - that's why you have to hold down the button for a while when lighting them...

I figured so thanks

[albany_nomads]

That was my thought as well
That if the gas pilot light goes off on your fridge the gas switches off.
But it raises questions that with my 99 model Jayco whilst they have two external vents, they also have an internal vent 
and also as another pointed out my door on my model is louvred.
The report does say"Portable gas bottle and stove and fridge"..and as one member pointed out its most likely cold so the caravan was closed up

But that aside its still sad news..but something we should all take note of and learn from this tragedy
Kind Regards

[MarkGU]

we use one of these on all our gas bottles.  http://www.gasfuse.com/

check out the two video's on their site to show you how they work.

should be made compulsory i reckon

[albany_nomads]

we use one of these on all our gas bottles.  http://www.gasfuse.com/

Yep we have one of those on our gas bottle, like you said pretty simple and cheap insurance and should be mandatory

John

[MarkGU]

Yep we have one of those on our gas bottle, like you said pretty simple and cheap insurance and should be mandatory

John

yep....we paid around 10 bucks at Aldi. why wouldnt you get one 

[pootrol]

its very sad this has happened on what was suposed to be a good outing. like said before any and every hole would of been plugged to stop the ice cold air coming in. for some there is a lack of understanding of what you need, what u can have and what your supposed to have. a customer got me to have a look at his caravan while doing a job. i stepped in, said wheres your safety switch. it was so original and standard it just had a light switch to isolate the power. no circuit breaker no safety switch etc. he just didnt know or care. even the ones that know push the limits. i had to replace a power point in a top model van and found the wiring was in 1.5mm not the standard 2.5mm. i know when we get all technical using a 16amp cb you might get away with it but it runs through the insulated walls and when people are plugging a kettle and electric fry pan at once the proof is the wire melted out of the power point.

[krisandkev]

Thanks to everyone who answered my question, it all make sense.  kevin

[Nanook]

Sounds more like they have died from carbon monoxide poisoning, this is not from the LPG leaking but the use of the gas on the portable fridge in a confined area.
Russ