What is to be taken into account when operating gas-powered outdoor heaters, radiant heaters, patio heaters at home and in the commercial industry/hospitality industry?

When the evenings become cooler, gas-operated heaters are frequently used on balconies and patios, or in outdoor areas in the hospitality industry. The names of the heaters are different – outdoor heaters, radiant heaters, patio heaters – but one thing they all have in common is that operators require a gas cylinder, pressure reducer, excess flow device for the hose and a gas anti-tilt device. In addition, there are requirements for the safe handling of the heaters – for private individuals as well as for use in restaurants, pubs or bars.

The hospitality industry is the area which was hit the hardest by the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In order to serve guests outdoors in the cool autumn, and to ensure that the necessary income is obtained, associations and politicians (date: 10 September 2020) have discussed the increased use of gas-powered heaters, such as outdoor heaters.

Although the use of these gas heaters is not permitted in some cities, for this special case, however, there are to be exceptional regulations to support business owners.

Whether these prohibitions are cancelled or not, and whether the devices are used privately or commercially, there are regulations that must be observed when handling outdoor heaters and similar devices.

Industry

If you use an outdoor heater, radiant heater or patio heater commercially, regulation 79 of the German Accident Insurance Act (DGUV V 79; formerly BGV D 34) is particularly relevant to you.

The hospitality sector includes, in particular, restaurants, bars, pubs, but also, for example, snack bars at fairs and Christmas markets and club events open to the public. In the following, we look at the most important points if business owners want to use a gas heater.

Commercial place of installation

Gas heaters like these can’t just be placed anywhere. Work safety information 8.04 from the employers’ liability insurance association for the food and catering industry defines how the conditions should be at a place of installation for the system. Here is the corresponding extract:

“Patio heaters and gas torches may only be operated outdoors or in well ventilated rooms or marquees. Well ventilated rooms are spaces where at least 25% of the enclosed area is open, with the enclosed area being the sum of all wall areas. Operation in an enclosed room is prohibited.”

Industry – Allowed or prohibited?

If, as a hospitality business owner, you have an outdoor area that you want to supply with comfortable heat via an outdoor heater, you should find out beforehand online or directly from your responsible city or community whether you are allowed to do so at all.

In some municipalities it’s prohibited, but it’s allowed in others. At this stage, we can’t predict the economic effects of coronavirus if we remove the restrictions.

Industry – Which system components?

In addition to the propane gas cylinder, operators always need the following components for the safe and proper operation of outdoor heaters, radiant heaters or patio heaters:

• Pressure reducer with over-pressure safety device S2SR
• Gas hose
• Gas anti-tilt device

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Industry – Excess flow device

The DGUV V79 stipulates an excess flow device under certain circumstances. If the gas hose used is longer than 40 centimetres , the excess flow device is mandatory.

Industry – Gas anti-tilt device

The gas anti-tilt device protects guests, employees and hospitality business owners at the same time when someone accidentally bumps into the outdoor heater, for example. It immediately stops the gas flow if a certain tilt angle is exceeded.

Nominally, the safety component is mandatory in all devices manufactured in accordance with DIN EN 14543. This includes, in particular, outdoor heaters, radiant heaters, etc. If you already have an appropriate device, please check whether the gas anti-tilt device was already fitted at the factory, otherwise please retrofit the device.

It should already be included with all new appliances. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a look at the inner workings before you make your purchase.

Industry – Replacement periods

The operator must replace components such as the pressure reducer, gas hose etc. after eight years at the latest. DGUV V79 requires this. Important: This is not the date of installation; this refers to the year in which the fitting was manufactured.

Private – Allowed or prohibited?

If, for example, you would like to keep your barbecue going until the late evening hours, even if it’s slightly cooler, you probably have a gas-operated heater on your balcony or patio. However: Are these even allowed?

It’s clear: Yes, the use of LPG-operated outdoor heaters, radiant heaters or patio heaters is permitted for private individuals. But here too, certain “rules” apply for safe use, which are set out in worksheet G 612 of the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW).

Private – Place of installation

It is self-evident that outdoor heaters, patio heaters and other heaters are only permitted for outdoor use. This is also explicitly stated in the assembly and operating manual provided by the manufacturers.

Private – which system components?

It’s clear: Nothing is possible without an LPG cylinder; mostly a gas cylinder with a filling weight of either 5 or 11 kilograms. In addition, the following system components are absolutely required:

• Pressure reducer
• Gas hose
• Gas anti-tilt device

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Important: The applicable regulations do not demand any safety devices for the pressure regulator. We have a recommendation for this:

Private – Excess flow device

The excess flow device offers protection if, for example, the gas hose has a larger leak or is cut through as a result of an accident. The excess flow device detects this and shuts off the gas flow completely. This prevents unburned LPG from escaping and becoming a danger.

If the gas hose is longer than 150 centimetres for private use, the excess flow device is prescribed according to worksheet G 612 of the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW).

GOK recommends its use even for shorter lengths, because: Operators cannot always keep an eye on the gas hose – for example with the outdoor heater – as this is inside the unit.

Private – Gas anti-tilt device

This is where the private and commercial sectors are the same. The gas anti-tilt device is also mandatory for private individuals unless the operator can ensure that the outdoor heater or similar devices cannot overturn under any circumstances.

If you now purchase a new heater, you usually have a corresponding valve installed ex works. If you already have a device in use, you should check the internal workings for safety reasons. If no gas anti-tilt device is installed, operators can easily retrofit it. It is simply attached between the pressure reducer and the gas hose.

Private – Replacement periods

The replacement periods in the private sector are stipulated in worksheet G 612 of the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW). After ten years at the latest, pressure reducers, gas hose, etc. must be replaced.

It is always the year of manufacture of the component that counts as the start of the period, not the installation date. You can find more information here: