dangers of portable gas heaters
in a
confined space
Polblue Barrington Tops NSW in
May
Extreme caution should be used when
thinking of using a gas, dual fuel, a kerosene heater, heat beads or
even a stove for that matter inside an enclosed area such as a tent,
camper trailer or caravan to keep warm on a cold night camping.
Please make sure you have all windows open so the fumes will not
build up.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas, slightly lighter
than air. It is formed whenever any carbon-based substance, which is
most substances, is burned with an inadequate supply of air. Even
when there is adequate air, carbon monoxide is produced if the
burning reaction is only partly complete. Burning anything in a
small enclosed space presents two main dangers.
The first and most serious is carbon monoxide poisoning. Even in
small amounts, carbon monoxide is deadly to all warm-blooded
animals. A 0.2% concentration can kill within 30 minutes. Carbon
monoxide kills like this. Haemoglobin in the blood normally
transports all-essential oxygen throughout the body. Unfortunately
haemoglobin is massively addicted to picking up carbon monoxide. If
there's any around, haemoglobin will grab 250 parts of carbon
monoxide for every one part of oxygen. This rapidly deprives the
brain and everything else of that vital oxygen. There are only minor
indications: headache, nausea, fatigue and then unconsciousness. If
you were asleep at the time, the odds are against your ever waking
up again. Carbon monoxide is rightly called the 'silent killer'.
The second hazard is direct oxygen deprivation. Just by breathing we
contaminate the air. We take in about a half a cubic metre of air
every hour and convert about 4% of that into carbon dioxide. As a
result the exhaled carbon dioxide level rises and the available
oxygen level falls. The latter can however drop from its normal 21%
or so, to as low as 15% before symptoms such as fatigue set in.
Oxygen deprivation through this cause can be serious in an
unventilated space – heated or otherwise.
Catalytic heaters are a little safer and are labled as 'Can Be Used
In Ventilated Tents'. A gas cartridge can run this type of heater
for 8 hours. Catalytic heaters produce a number of byproducts that
necessitate ventilation. Please still use extreme caution when using
this type of heater, even when labeled safe. Only use in a well
ventilated tent area ie all windows open.
DO NOT USE A GAS HEATER IN THE TENT
AREA WHILE SLEEPING
The only safe type of fuel heating
to use inside a tent area is those such as the Webasto diesel air
heaters. The device draws air from outside into a sealed furnace,
injecting diesel which ignites and heats an outer skin. The clean
heated air is then ducted into the tent area.
We camp throughout the year and have found thermal underwear a great
addition to winter camping. Luckily at most bush camp sites we can
light a campfire. We make our bed up in our camper trailer the same
as we do at home with a sheepskin underlay, flannelette sheets and
doona etc. If it gets colder we have another lightweight doona we
throw on. Make sure you also dress for bed with flannelette PJ's,
socks and beanie if it is very cold and don't forget the old hot
water bottle or two.
We have tried our canvas annex sidewall over our bed as recommended
by members of the CamperTrailers Group with great results. It really
throws the bodyheat back in. You can also try a silver trap over the
roof of your camper to reflect a bit of warmth back into the tent.
If the kids are on stretchers make sure they have just as much
bedding under them as they have on top. A self inflating mattress on
the stretcher will also trap their bodyheat as well as a sheepskin
underlay & good quality sleeping bags.
If you stay in a caravan park you might like to try a 240volt
electric oil filled column heater to keep the internal space warm
overnight when it is cold. These are a safer alternative to a bar
heater which can be knocked over.
Gasmate propane
heater
not
suitable for indoor use |
Gasmate butane
heater
not
suitable for indoor use |
Gasmate butane
heater
not
suitable for indoor use |
Coleman Procat
catalytic butane heater
not
suitable for indoor use
|
Coleman BlackCat
catalytic butane heater
not
suitable for indoor use
|
Companion portable
butane heater
not
suitable for indoor use
|
Primus Mr Heater
Little Buddy butane heater
Low oxygen safety shut
off system
not
suitable for indoor use |
Primus Mr Heater
Portable Buddy butane heater
Low oxygen safety shut
off system
not
suitable for indoor use |
Wild Country mini
kerosene heater
not
suitable for indoor use
|
written by Rob
november 2011
|