Recreational vehicle owners enjoy great freedom when they carry out their daily routines inside this mobile habitat. Even though the appliances in here are powered by gas instead of electricity, the food tastes just the same. And these appliances are wonderfully efficient, there’s no arguing that fact. Still, even the finest piece of equipment can malfunction. Thankfully, gas flue terminals exist to manage the byproducts of these devices.
Every Fuel Emits Gas
Byproducts are just part of a fueled setup. Back at home, gas heaters use special vents to safely discharge these potentially toxic emissions. Water, carbon monoxide, messy dioxides, these gases are part-and-parcel of a gas heating system, although the convected emissions are usually ejected in tiny quantities. Even so, carbon monoxide alarms are installed alongside the home furnace flue as a safety measure. Cut to a recreational vehicle, a cabin that hosts at least a pair of gas-fueled appliances. It’s here, in this travelling cabin, that gas flue terminals discharge excessive byproduct emissions.
What is a Gas Flue Terminal?
Defined by the AS/NZS5601.2:2013 guidelines, this gas venting system is mounted at a predetermined height. It assures the discharge of a rated volume of gas. Mounted as a single flue system with a single interior vent or as an augmented conduit equipped with several vents, the ‘chimney effect’ established by a gas flue system acts as a convection breaking asset. In other words, instead of the gaseous build-up circling dangerously around the motorhome interior, it’s forced up and through the vent, where the emissions then exit a discharge flue.
Intelligently Accounting for Appliance Alterations
Up to this point, much talk has been reserved for the description of these innovative portable appliances. Cleverly designed refrigerators and cooking ranges are installed in these compact spaces, and we take the time to describe their features in some detail. However, aftermarket alterations must be safely installed, and that safe installation methodology must include gas flue terminals. Otherwise, the added fuel load could impact the enclosed cabin as an excessive build-up of carbon monoxide, something that absolutely cannot be allowed. If a new and more efficient appliance is installed in a recreational vehicle, ensure the gaseous byproducts of that unit are capably handled by the flue system. If necessary, talk to the installation service provider about a flue expansion.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible and deadly gas. Even if every appliance is functioning properly in the kitchen and living area, there’s still danger in the air. A damaged engine exhaust system, for example, can leak this noxious gas into the cabin or the RVs driver area. Install carbon monoxide alarms, check their batteries often, and absolutely ensure the gas flue terminals are unobstructed, from the interior to the cabin exterior.