Insurance question: gas bottle inside house when purchased

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Batman

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#271803 27-May-2020 11:29

Hi does anyone know the answer to this.

We have a gas stove with a 9kg gas bottle that sits inside the kitchen.

It was like that when we bought the house.

Presumably was compliant back in the day.

If I don't pipe it out, will my house insurance be an issue?

concordnz

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#2492688 27-May-2020 12:01

Is it Vented outside or not?
There is a bit of Regs around Gas & important you get it right for insurance purposes.

I would get a Gas fitter to come & give me a quote to move it outside - & I'd ask him at the same time - if it was compliant 'as is'? Or why not?

A few years back - I got one moved outside - because it was not compliant with how it had been done 'inside'.
I sleep much easier at night now.

I would definitely talk to a gas fitter first - before mentioning anything to an insurance company......

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#2492715 27-May-2020 12:38

I have no idea what the current regulations are, but when we built out house in 2006 I do know that we were allowed to have it in a cupboard in the kitchen provided it had ventilation to the outside in the case of a leak.

So it definitely was legal at some point, so if you have ventilation then you might be OK.

We opted to have the gas bottles under the house instead and it was pretty cheap to have the gas fitter in (less that a few hundred from memory) so perhaps talk to a gas fitter and get them moved for your own peace of mind.

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#2492719 27-May-2020 12:42

Hmm. It's not ventilated!

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#2492729 27-May-2020 12:54

My in-laws had a gas cooktop installed about 18 years ago and the bottle had to go outside then.

I would make sure that it is vented outside at the very least.

There was a house & sleepout exploded 3 or so years ago near me, It was linked to a leaking gas connection and was ignited when the occupant turned on the light switch at 4am. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11885565

Insurance companies dont make money by paying out all the time, if they can get out of paying something they will.

First step - get a registered gas fitter in to certify, if they are happy to certify, get the certificate and you are all done.

If they are not happy, you will have to get them to make it safe and certified.

John

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Froglotion

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#2492751 27-May-2020 13:26

Just get the cylinder moved outside, draw up a rough floor plan in paint and upload it here. Show kitchen layout, where the external wall is and any drains / doors / heatpumps outside. I can let you know how much of a job it is. It's a common thing to do and can be super easy or complicated.

They flip flopped around the rules for having a gas cylinder in a ventilated cupboard. First it was legal, then not, then perhaps legal, I forget now. I've never installed one inside as I think it's a bad idea, so legality for that particular rule isn't something I know off the top of my head.

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#2492753 27-May-2020 13:32

I have a friend who had a new house built in 2000 or 2001. The hob was powered by a gas bottle inside in a cupboard. I don't know if it had ventilation or not. I don't think so but I'm not certain. I'm certain it was legal at the time.

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Batman

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#2492818 27-May-2020 13:59

Hi thanks all. Advice taken. Will get gas fitter advice. If too expensive I can always go electric.

Batman

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#2492820 27-May-2020 14:01

Froglotion:

Just get the cylinder moved outside, draw up a rough floor plan in paint and upload it here. Show kitchen layout, where the external wall is and any drains / doors / heatpumps outside. I can let you know how much of a job it is. It's a common thing to do and can be super easy or complicated.

They flip flopped around the rules for having a gas cylinder in a ventilated cupboard. First it was legal, then not, then perhaps legal, I forget now. I've never installed one inside as I think it's a bad idea, so legality for that particular rule isn't something I know off the top of my head.

Kitchen is not on ground floor, and is facing the front of the house. Thanks but I'll get a gas fitter to take a look.

Nate001

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#2492904 27-May-2020 15:33

Don't worry because of insurance. Do it for your own safety.

Also if you pipe it outside you can put a 18/45kg bottle. If you can afford to, do it!

Delphinus

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#2493166 27-May-2020 21:04

Nate001:

Also if you pipe it outside you can put a 18/45kg bottle. If you can afford to, do it!

Why the 18/45? Does it work out a lot cheaper than refilling 9kg's at $22 each?

Froglotion

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#2493194 27-May-2020 21:57

I doubt it. 9kg is most suitable as it will last ~6 months and you tend to have a spare on the BBQ so never run out. Easier / safer to transport too.

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concordnz

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#2493866 28-May-2020 19:08

Froglotion:
I doubt it. 9kg is most suitable as it will last ~6 months and you tend to have a spare on the BBQ so never run out. Easier / safer to transport too.

It's also handier, to use a 9kg - so that if the BBQ one runs out, during a bbq - you can steal the kitchen one for the BBQ - it's a bit hard to do that with big bottles...