Gas - the invisible danger!

 (Eutingen im Gäu, 08.07.2021) Climb into the camper van and off you go on your adventure. If you want to have a particularly good time, you have a liquid gas cylinder on board for the barbecue or hob. However, protection is often forgotten alongside the fun. Warning alarms are already standard at home. But hardly anyone has them on their radar when travelling. Safety should be the top priority when handling gas so that the adventure does not turn into a tragedy.

A safe start to the camping season
If you want to enjoy your camping holiday without any nasty surprises, check your equipment for completeness and functionality before you set off. This also includes checking the LPG cylinder for the barbecue or hob. Porous pipes, worn seals and incorrect storage can turn the gas cylinder into a ticking time bomb. The experts at as - Schwabe therefore recommend always installing a gas alarm when carrying gas cylinders. Since this season, the company has been offering the special H-AL 8300 K.O. gas detector, which not only warns of propane and butane gases, but also triggers an alarm for ether, better known as anaesthetic gas.

Correct handling while driving
Correct handling begins on the journey. According to road traffic regulations, the gas cylinder valve must be tightly closed and the protective cap fitted during transport. To prevent the gas cylinder from becoming a dangerous projectile when driving around bends or braking manoeuvres, it must be secured during the journey with suitable securing material, for example with lashing straps. If the gas cylinder is damaged and gas escapes, this can lead to poisoning, fires or explosions. If the K. O. gas detector H-AL 8300 is installed near the gas cylinder at a height of 70-110 cm above the floor, the detector will immediately sound if gas escapes unnoticed.

Heavy gases sink to the ground
Gaseous propane, butane or ether is heavier than air, i.e. it sinks to the ground. If these colourless and odourless gases flow out in an uncontrolled manner, they are rarely noticed. Together with oxygen from the air, they become a highly explosive mixture. Gas cylinders should therefore be stored in well-ventilated, shady areas and away from sources of ignition. As this is not always possible when travelling with a caravan, the H-AL 8300 K.O. gas detector fitted in the interior reduces the risk of a gas accident.

Particular danger while you sleep
As the escaping gases sink to the floor, they displace the oxygen in the room upwards. In a lying position, during sleep, you are therefore particularly at risk. The poisonous gas is inhaled unnoticed and can lead to unconsciousness, poisoning or even death by asphyxiation. Thieves also use gas attacks in car parks to rob sleeping travellers under the cover of night. This procedure is well known among lorry drivers, who already protect themselves with K.O. gas detectors fitted in the driver's cab. as - Schwabe therefore recommends that every camper does the same as the truckers. The H-AL 8300 K.O. gas detector warns them in an emergency with a loud signal tone and an additional red flashing light.

About as - Schwabe GmbH: as - Schwabe GmbH has been developing, producing and distributing quality products in the field of electrical engineering for over 35 years. The product range is specially adapted to the difficult requirements of use on commercial construction sites and is available from qualified specialist dealers. The core range includes cable reels, extension cables and construction site power distributors as well as CEE ranges, adapters and construction site lighting. The company also offers a comprehensive range of high-quality mobile power supply equipment for camping and caravans as well as for the home and garden. Due to its steady growth, the Swabian company relocated its headquarters and central warehouse to a new building on a site of approx. 11,500 m² in Eutingen im Gäu in September 2018.