Must gas appliances in motorhomes or caravans be closed during fuel refilling?
When refueling motorhomes or caravans, the question often arises as to whether gas appliances must be turned off during this process. This question is not only relevant for personal safety but also in terms of legal regulations. In this article, we clarify which rules apply to the operation of gas appliances during the refueling process at the gas station and what needs to be considered.
Legal Regulations and Safety Aspects
The DIN EN 1949 standard specifies the requirements for the installation of LPG systems in habitable recreational vehicles. According to this standard, all gas appliances must be turned off before the refueling process. In other words, campers must shut off the gas appliances at the designated valves. This is for safety reasons, as open flames or sparks in combination with escaping fuel vapors could lead to dangerous situations.
Additionally, the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) stipulate that all devices that could affect the operational safety of the vehicle must be turned off during the refueling process. This includes gas appliances. According to § 60 StVZO, LPG systems must be designed and installed in such a way that they comply with recognized technical rules and can be operated safely. Furthermore, they must not impair the operational safety of the vehicle.
Although § 60 does not explicitly state that gas appliances must be turned off during refueling, it is advisable to do so for safety reasons to avoid potential hazards from open flames or spark formation.
LPG Cylinders in the Vehicle
When using LPG cylinders in motorhomes and caravans, it is important to ensure that they are installed in designated and ventilated cylinder compartments. The DIN EN 1949 provides precise specifications to ensure safety. During the refueling of the vehicle with fuel, all gas appliances supplied by these cylinders should be turned off. Additionally, it must be ensured that no gas cylinders are exchanged or refilled during the refueling process.
LPG Tanks in the Vehicle
Some vehicles are equipped with permanently installed LPG tanks. The safety regulations of DIN EN 1949 also apply here. It is advisable to turn off all gas appliances during the refueling of the vehicle with fuel to avoid potential hazards from open flames or spark formation.
Those with a built-in LPG tank or tank gas cylinder in their camper must also observe certain regulations—both when refueling the vehicle with fuel and when filling the gas tank or tank gas cylinder.
When refilling the LPG tank itself, special care must be taken, and the specific safety guidelines of the manufacturer as well as the applicable standards must be observed. Important: The DIN EN 1949 specifies that the service valve (extraction valve) must be closed during the refueling of the gas tank. This applies equally to LPG tanks and the so-called tank gas cylinder.
Applicability to Systems with Crash Sensors
The aforementioned requirement to close gas appliances during fuel refueling applies to all types of LPG systems in recreational vehicles. However, it is particularly relevant for campers with a crash sensor installed in the system.
Only thanks to the crash sensor are operators of LPG systems in motorhomes or caravans allowed to use them while driving. Consequently, only this type of system can supply gas appliances with LPG while on the move. All other conventional systems without a crash sensor must be closed during travel.
Operators of LPG systems with crash sensors, take note: Only with this type of system—including a crash sensor—are gas appliances allowed to be supplied with LPG while on the move. Therefore, systems with crash sensors must be closed during fuel refueling! All other systems must be closed anyway.
Scope: Europe
The DIN EN 1949 is a European standard developed by the CEN (European Committee for Standardization). Therefore, this standard is binding for all member countries of the CEN and replaces existing national standards of the member countries. The CEN includes the participating nations of the EU as well as some non-EU countries like Serbia and Turkey.
The DIN EN 1949 thus applies to all countries that are members of the CEN. This includes the member states of the European Union as well as some other European countries that have joined the CEN. This means that the mentioned safety regulations—such as closing gas appliances during fuel refueling—are binding for all member countries of the European Union.
Conclusion
The DIN EN 1949 clearly states that gas appliances such as refrigerators or gas heaters must be closed during the refueling process with fuel such as gasoline or diesel—as specified in Section 4.1. For safety reasons and to avoid risks from flammable vapors, it is essential to close the shut-off valves during the refueling process. This significantly contributes to the safety of handling LPG systems in motorhomes and caravans and minimizes potential hazards. The regulations apply to the member countries of the European Union as well as countries of the CEN (European Committee for Standardization).
