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Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

(OP)
I know that installing fuel oil pipes through basements and enclosed spaces is not recommended. However, in some cases, the client requires a kitchen in the basement thus requiring a supply pipeline of either natural gas or LPG. Natural gas is lighter than air so it is easier to ventilate the area in case of a spill. In contrast, the LPG is more dense than air and thus harder to extract from the basement in case of a spill thus causing buildup. Therefore, what would be the ideal or most practical way for a proper ventilation in a basement where No.2 fuel oil (LPG) is used?
P.S: please do not say "don't run an LPG pipeline through a basement"
Thanks

RE: Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

No2 fuel Oil is not LPG (butane/propane mix).

Which is it - a pressurised liquid which turns into a flammable heavier than air gas or a relatively stable low volatility liquid fuel?

Makes quite a difference.

not only is a LPG line "not recommended" in a basement, I would say it is specifically not allowed in most building safety assessments. There is quite a big difference.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

RE: Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

you already presented the logic. in codes which i use such situation can be overcome with sensors which trip much before dangerous concentration develops.

sensors have to be mounted on low level as well. manufacturers like draeger have developed systems for this purpose.

RE: Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

The difficulty is that this requires power and controls to turn off the incoming LPG.

Having an alarm is not much use if it doesn't do anything to turn off the gas input.

If the client wants a kitchen in his or her basement then just use electricity. You can't always get what you want in life....

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

RE: Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

(OP)
I appreciate all your responses... thank u... even though it is not accepted in some codes others allow the use of an LPG pipeline in a basement when proper ventilation is used and when pipes are mounted inside of sleeves that are directed all the way to a high level... LittleInch thanks for clarifying that there is a difference between the two...not my area of specialty and i read it somewhere...must have understood it the wrong way...cheers

RE: Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

I must be missing something obvious. But can't you reduce pressure of the LPG outside of the building to that of low pressure NGAS? Lower pressure NGAS is much easier to deal with inside the building, and generally accepted by most building types.

RE: Fuel oil in enclosed spaces

With LPG, you have two regulators, one at the tank, and one at the house. The pressure is lowered to "house" levels, measured in in w.c.

As has been said, LPG is heavier than air so ensuring ventilation is important. But even though NG is lighter than air, if it is leaking in a building, it will accumulate, which is why they put mercaptans in it to give it a characteristic smell. If you smell it in your house, you get out and let the experts fix the problem. I do not know if they put similar chemicals in LPG, but I would think there would be a similar response, i.e. get out.

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