Article 34 Liquefied petroleum gas installations (cooking ranges and heating appliances)

In every vessel of 12 metres in length and over to which these Rules apply installations using liquefied petroleum gas shall be properly and safely fitted and fit for their intended service.

In every such vessel an odoriser shall be added to the gas to enable the presence of gas to be detected by smell, even when its concentration in air is below that of the lower limit of flammability.

In every such vessel containers holding liquefied petroleum gas shall be securely stowed on deck or in a well ventilated compartment situated on the deck, except that in any vessel of 24.4 metres in length and over, where deck stowage is not reasonably practicable, such gas containers may be stowed in spaces below deck, provided that such spaces are adequately ventilated and electrical equipment in such spaces is of flame-proof construction. Where drainage is provided from compartments containing such gas containers, drains shall lead directly overboard.

In every such vessel spaces containing cooking ranges or heating appliances which use liquefied petroleum gas shall not be fitted with openings leading directly below to accommodation spaces or their passageways, except that where this is not reasonably practicable and such openings are fitted mechanical exhaust ventilation trunked to within 300 millimetres of the deck adjacent to the appliance, together with adequate supply ventilation, shall be provided.

In every such vessel spaces where appliances consuming liquefied petroleum gas are used shall be adequately ventilated.

In every such vessel mechanical ventilation systems fitted to any space in which such gas containers or appliances are situated shall be of such design and construction as will eliminate the hazards due to sparking. The ventilation systems serving spaces containing such gas storage containers or gas-consuming appliances shall be separate from any other ventilation system.

In every such vessel where such gas consuming appliances are fitted below deck and for galleys in vessels of 60 metres in length and over mechanical exhaust ventilation shall be provided.

In every such vessel of 12 metres in length and over, every space containing such a gas consuming appliance shall be provided with gas detection and audible alarm equipment. The gas detection device shall be securely fixed in the lower part of the space in the vicinity of the gas consuming appliance. The alarm unit and indicating panel shall be situated outside the spaces containing the gas storage and consuming appliances.

In vessels of 12 metres in length and over but less than 24.4 metres in length to which these Rules apply where such gas consuming appliances are used in sleeping quarters or in spaces adjacent thereto, a flameproof audible alarm shall be fitted in the sleeping quarters in addition to the alarm required by paragraph (8) above.

In vessels of 12 metres in length and over to which these Rules apply a device shall be fitted in the supply pipe from the gas container to the consuming appliance which will shut off the gas automatically in the event of loss of pressure in the supply line. The device shall be of a type which requires deliberate manual operation to re-set it to restore the gas supply. An automatic shut-off device which operates in the event of flame failure shall be fitted on all appliances consuming liquefied petroleum gas.