LPG Box Install

by Leo
(Kent)


Hi, I’m currently converting a van into a food van and with the regs you have to access your lpg bottles from outside. I’m looking at creating my own fireproof boxing out of aluminium and I have got a steel lockable door. Has anyone done this and has it worked for them or does anyone have any tips on creating a lpg box and door accessible from outside the van. Many thanks.

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Nov 19, 2025
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by: MobCater

Hello,

Yes, you can build your own LPG gas cylinder box — but only if it meets Gas Safe mobile catering regulations, and it must pass inspection before you can legally trade.

Here’s what the law and Gas Safe engineers require:

What Your LPG Box MUST Include (UK Regulations)

1. The box must be sealed from the inside of the van

No gas can enter the serving/food area.
All joints must be properly sealed (usually fire-retardant silicone).

2. Ventilation top AND bottom

Gas is heavier than air, so you need:

Low-level drop vent in the floor to allow leaks to escape

High-level vent for airflow

Without this, the box will fail inspection.

3. Fire-resistant materials

Aluminium can be used, but most engineers prefer:

Plastisol-coated steel

Galvanised steel

Stainless steel

Thickness normally 0.9 mm or higher.
Homemade thin aluminium can deform under heat, so engineers will assess suitability.

4. External access only

Your door must:

Open from outside the vehicle only

Be lockable

Provide clear access to change bottles safely

Be gas-tight when closed. Your steel lockable door is good — but the frame and seals also must comply.

5. Cylinder restraint

You need:

Straps

Brackets

Fixed anchor points

Cylinders must not move while driving.

(If the box is "bare" with no securing points, it will fail.)

6. Only a Gas Safe CMC engineer can sign it off

Even if you build it perfectly, you cannot certify it yourself.

Your engineer must check:

Ventilation

Construction materials

Access

Cylinder securing

Regulator placement

Isolation valve position

Piping route and regulator type

Common DIY LPG Box Mistakes (and why people fail inspection)

- Aluminium too thin
- No low-level drop vent
- Door not fully sealed-
- No fireproof sealant
- No cylinder strap
- Access from inside the van
- Wrong side of van (too close to exhaust, electrics, or openings)

Tip: Ask your Gas Safe engineer BEFORE you build

Every certified engineer will tell you the same thing:

"Show me your box before you finish it — not after."

This saves you time and avoids rebuilding.

Short, practical advice

You can build one, but it must meet the same standards as a professionally manufactured LPG locker.

Most people do one of the following:

Option A — Build your own (but get engineer approval first)

OR

Option B — Buy a pre-made LPG locker (faster & guaranteed to pass)
lpg gas cylinder



(E.g., Plastisol gas lockers 13kg/19kg used in catering trailers)

Required Disclaimer - Always get your LPG system inspected and certified by a Gas Safe engineer with the "CMC – Commercial Mobile Catering" qualification. This information is for general guidance only and does not replace a professional safety inspection.

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