Tremendous 5th wheel fire!

[Ray,IN]

Well__, If propane101.comis correct, I've been wrong about OPD valves until tonight. That webpage says OPD valves only work when filling a cylinder,valve open-no flow and when not attached to a hose.
This means RV Wizard-Mike was probably correct when he posted his first comment. The propane cylinders would have flowed propane to fuel the fire as long as the hose connection was intact.

[Ding-a-ling]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ray,IN:
The propane cylinders would have flowed propane to fuel the fire as long as the hose connection was intact. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>And would have continued to do so if the rubber supply hose burns off - allowing the tank to vent. Which is a lot better than flames impinging upon a full tank, heating up the contents and causing a BLEVE - Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.

Let's face it. Once an RV gets burning, there's not much that can be done to stop it unless the fire dept. has a truck right there with a bunch of water. I've seen the results, both as a firefighter and spectator.

[RustyJC]

In regard to excess flow devices. The following is taken from an RV manufacturer's owner's manual. Note especially the last paragraph:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Your propane system is equipped with a Type I cylinder connector. This connector makes it as easy to connect and disconnect as a garden hose.

The Type I connection system uses the excess flow pigtail hose, distinguished by the large green nylon swivel nut. The green swivel nut attaches to the outside of the cylinder valve with right hand threads. Tighten the swivel nut by hand. DO NOT use tools.

The safety features of this system prevent gas from flowing unless the connection is tight and will limit excessive gas flow. In cases of extreme heat, 240° to 300°F, at the connection, the connection to the cylinder will be shut down. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rusty

[Ray,IN]

Someone must be wrong here, either the RV manufacturer or the author of propane101. Given Derek Gore's penchant for documenting everything he says, I suspect he is correct. I will phone my contact with NFPA and inquire about OPD operation.

[Ray,IN]

I forgot about my Propane hose fire Dec 24. I have a propane smoker grill that I seldom use. I got it out, fired it up, put the turkey in, got a beer to sit and wait. I must have dozed off for a while because when I looked at the smoker the hose from the cylinder was on fire, not broken or cut, but weather-cracked. The hose had melted on one side with flames about 4" high (smoker burner still burning on high).
This tells me that the regulator was working properly, and - that the OPD valve does not close when the hose burns.

[Ding-a-ling]

Yes, the OPD is just that - to prevent the tank from being overfilled.

If, during an RV fire a gas line burns through or disconnects - say at the gas stove or gas heater the device at the tank will still be working to keep the gas pressure regulated. The gas would ignite but not be like a blowtorch. It would look pretty much like your counter-top gas range. In the fire we witnessed at Red River Ranch in Oklahoma I saw the propane burning where the refigerator had been. In the orangish glow of the rest of the fire there was a well defined bluish gas flame present.

[RustyJC]

Are we confusing the function of OPDs and excess flow valves? These are not one and the same. The source for the text previously quoted is HERE. An excess flow POL is shown HERE.

Rusty