That Red Regulator Valve

[BB_TX]

The subject of the red regulator valve failure has come up often in the past. (Do they still put those on the new Montes?) Some have replaced them. Some have eliminated them. Many have questioned the purpose. Well, I found out. Someone on another forum posted a requirement by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) relating to the subject. And since I was once a member on two different NFPA committees I am still able to access all their standards and able to verify it. But here is what the NFPA 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles says:

"5.3.11.2 Propane system pressure shall be regulated to a pressure of 30 psi (207 kpa) or less within 60 in. (1.5m) of the container outlet."

So it appears that if the distance from the street side tank to the dual stage change over regulator on the opposite side is greater than 60 inches, that red regulator is required. Since all the trailers are much wider than 60", I would assume it would apply to all that have the two tanks installed on opposite sides of the trailer with the dual stage change over valve on one side. Note that propane tank pressure can be over 200 psi, so that could be over 200 psi across the piping from one side to the other without the red regulator.

Just an FYI and food for thought.

[rohrmann]

That's good to know. I have also read, that because the pressure would be the same in the cross over pipe as in the tank, without the regulator, that the gas could re-liquify.

[richfaa]

Good information...

[DQDick]

Thanks for sharing!

[jimcol]

Thanks for posting the regulation. Like most regulations I wonder what is magical about 60" versus 96". Jim

[Justme44]

Good to know why.

[BB_TX]

quote:Originally posted by jimcol

Thanks for posting the regulation. Like most regulations I wonder what is magical about 60" versus 96". Jim

Not having been on that committee, I can't even speculate on the why that number. I can only tell you the process. It is not just a number someone pulled out of the air. The individual NFPA committees for all the NFPA standards/codes (of which there are about 100) are made up of 20, plus or minus, unpaid volunteers working for companies in some way related to the scope of that standard/code. The members work in multiple facets of the industry including design, engineering, manufacturing, insurance carriers, etc., and so have different perspectives and ideas about the requirements. That balance prevents the committee from leaning toward any one particular interest. In addition, much of the content of the standards/codes comes from the general public, again primarily from those working in the related industry in some form or fashion. Each new or revised requirement is incorporated into a preliminary issue of the standard/code by the committee. That issue is then submitted for public review and comment. And comments from the public are subsequently reviewed, discussed, sometimes cussed, voted on, and either implemented, implemented with changes, or rejected. Then it is again submitted for public review and comment, and the committee review process is repeated one last time before the newest issue with revisions is released as final. And this cycle is repeated every 4-5 years.

So basically what I am saying, is that the requirements are actually developed by people who are actively engaged in that industry, rather than someone sitting in their office generating requirements just to justify their existence. Novel idea, huh?

Note that the National Electric Code is actually one of those created and maintained by the NFPA.

[jimcol]

Thanks for your thoughtful and detailed reply.

quote:Originally posted by BB_TX

Not having been on that committee, I can't even speculate on the why that number. I can only tell you the process. It is not just a number someone pulled out of the air. The individual NFPA committees for all the NFPA standards/codes (of which there are about 100) are made up of 20, plus or minus, unpaid volunteers working for companies in some way related to the scope of that standard/code. The members work in multiple facets of the industry including design, engineering, manufacturing, insurance carriers, etc., and so have different perspectives and ideas about the requirements. That balance prevents the committee from leaning toward any one particular interest. In addition, much of the content of the standards/codes comes from the general public, again primarily from those working in the related industry in some form or fashion. Each new or revised requirement is incorporated into a preliminary issue of the standard/code by the committee. That issue is then submitted for public review and comment. And comments from the public are subsequently reviewed, discussed, sometimes cussed, voted on, and either implemented, implemented with changes, or rejected. Then it is again submitted for public review and comment, and the committee review process is repeated one last time before the newest issue with revisions is released as final. And this cycle is repeated every 4-5 years.

So basically what I am saying, is that the requirements are actually developed by people who are actively engaged in that industry, rather than someone sitting in their office generating requirements just to justify their existence. Novel idea, huh?

Note that the National Electric Code is actually one of those created and maintained by the NFPA.

[CORattler]

Excellent insight into the process. Thanks!