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Can I Mount a Diesel Generator Next to LPG Bottles on My Catering Trailer?

by Charl
(Glasgow)

British racing green twin-axle catering trailer with a diesel generator sited apart from secured LPG cylinders

British racing green twin-axle catering trailer with a diesel generator sited apart from secured LPG cylinders

Is it legal to mount a large diesel generator next to LPG bottles on my catering trailer?

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Sep 02, 2026
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by: MobCater

This is exactly the kind of question worth asking before you build, Charl, not after. The short answer is no, you should not mount a large diesel generator right up against your LPG bottles, and setting it up that way would fail a gas safety check.

The rule most inspectors and insurers work to is a minimum of one metre between your LPG cylinders and any ignition or heat source, and a running diesel generator is exactly that. It throws out heat, a hot exhaust and the odd spark, and it carries its own tank of fuel, so having it bolted alongside your gas is asking for trouble. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the UKLPG Code of Practice 24, your cylinders need to sit upright, outside the serving structure, secured so they cannot topple, and in a well ventilated spot away from anything that could ignite an escape of gas.

In practice that means giving the generator its own home. I always sited mine outside and to the rear, on the opposite side to the gas, with the exhaust pointing away from both the cylinders and the customers. Keep that metre of clear air between the two, make sure the cylinder area is open and ventilated rather than boxed in, and never refuel a hot generator anywhere near the bottles. A small warning notice on the cylinder cage is a nice touch and keeps the EHO happy.

The other thing I would say is get the gas side signed off properly. The cylinders, regulator, hoses and connections all need checking by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and they will spot straight away if your layout is too tight. It is not a corner to cut, both for your own safety and because most catering insurers will void your cover if the setup is not compliant.

Since you are weighing up the power side too, it is worth thinking about whether a quieter, cleaner unit suits your pitch better, and our sister site mobcater.com has a full generator guide that walks through the options.

Keep going

David

Disclaimer: Gas installation and maintenance must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Never attempt gas work yourself. Check gassaferegister.co.uk for qualified engineers in your area.

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