_{”Green Gas Cowboys”}

According to Trading Standards, 19 out of 20 cars converted to gas by independent Installers (not Manufacturers) leak gas. Last year they converted 70,000 cars.

See our views on Competence.

(source, Daily Record 17th July 2002)

Here are a few ideas which would / might enhance the safety of the consumer / public when a gas conversion to a vehicle is considered.

(Please note these are only ideas)

All Converters, whether they are manufacturer or independently employed must be CORGI trained and CORGI registered. Included in the training should be the complete installation of a gas conversion from start to finish.

 All converters should display on a large public notice, which of the manufacturers approve their work.

All converters should display on a large public notice that states how many cars have been converted in the preceding 12 / 1 months

All converters should display on a large public notice, the names of qualified personnel, date, where, and when they were approved / retested.

All converters to be visited without warning by Trading Standards and Health & Safety at least twice a year. .

Trading Standards in Scotland to be given the same powers as their English counterparts with respect to Road Traffic Act, Road Vehicles Construction & Use.

Vehicle Inspectorate to cover LPG on cars. (Not just Buses).

 MOTs to be required from year 1 on LPG cars

 MOTs to include safety checks on gas lines / components, as well as gas leak testing.

All Traffic Police to be trained as to the dangers of LPG.

Schedule 5 (Construction &Use) to ban gas tank from the living compartment in cars as is required in commercial vehicles & buses.

 Schedule 5 (Construction &Use) to have a manual isolation gas tap on the gas tank and an electrical isolator in the engine compartment. On all vehicles.

 Schedule 5 (Construction &Use) to have the provision for gas vents in the floors of all vehicle living areas to prevent any gas build up.

 Schedule 5 (construction &Use) to have the provision for gas monitors to be fitted in every air vent feeding air into the living compartment. The purpose is to revert to petrol upon detecting gas.

Stiff penalties to be imposed on breaches of Schedule 5 whether it be due to installer or driver.

 A metal plate or sign (the size of a Hackney licence) to be fixed on the vehicle showing the vehicles LPG capability.  (This would serve to inform Emergency Services and road users alike as well as the fact that the vehicle is carrying LPG.)

Funding through the government / powershift to cease.