Lpg Gas Secured Tank for Inside Catering Van

by Megan lambert
(Cornwall )


Hi there
Myself and partner are currently converting our food truck and we are trying to plumb in our duel fuel espresso machine. We have decided on having the gas inside. However to meet gas regulations and for our safety - we need the 13kg lpg tank to be securely locked away in a gas double sealed locker with two vents. 1 on the bottom and 1 on the side.

We are deciding weather to get a welder to bespoke this specific locker for us or weather there are companies out there that build them in relation to the specific regulation. What's your opinions? Or does anyone have an idea or company where they have bought one before.

Thank you!

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Nov 19, 2025
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by: MobCater

Hello,

For a catering van in the UK, you should strongly lean towards buying a properly certified gas locker (or using a fabricator who regularly builds lockers for catering vehicles) rather than getting a random welder to "knock one up".

We'll break it down in plain terms so you can decide:

1. A few key points about the rules (UK mobile catering)

For mobile catering vehicles, the usual expectations from Gas Safe mobile catering engineers, insurers and local authorities are:

Cylinders should be in a dedicated gas compartment, sealed from the inside of the van.

The compartment must:

Be gas-tight to the interior (no gaps into the serving area).

Have drop vent(s) to outside at the lowest point (LPG is heavier than air).

Be accessible only from outside (door/hatch to the outside), usually lockable.

The whole installation (pipework, isolation valves, test points, etc.) has to be signed off by a Gas Safe engineer with the mobile catering / LPG ticket, not just any plumber.

Many engineers get very nervous when they see gas cylinders "inside" the van, even if boxed in, unless the locker is clearly external-access and built to the same standard as a factory-built trailer locker. That’s partly safety, partly liability.

2. Custom-built locker vs off-the-shelf
Option A – Get a random welder to build it

Pros:

Can be made to fit your exact space and 13kg bottle.

Might look neat and integrate well with the truck design.

Cons / risks:

Most general welders don’t know the gas regs – drop-vent sizing, materials, separation from interior, door seals, etc.

If it’s not compliant, a Gas Safe engineer may refuse to sign off the whole install.

You may end up paying twice – once for the box, then again to modify/rebuild it after the gas engineer or council inspection.

If there was ever an incident (leak/fire), insurers will look very hard at whether the locker and install were compliant.


Speak to your Gas Safe mobile catering engineer first.

Get them to tell you or sketch:

Dimensions and clearances for a 13kg.

Vent size and position (bottom drop vent and high-level vent if required).

How the door needs to seal.

Give that to the fabricator or mobile catering manufacturer and only sign off the job once the engineer is happy.

Option B – Buy a purpose-made LPG gas locker / cylinder box


LPG Gas Cylinder Storage Box



Pros:

Designed specifically for LPG cylinders (drop vent, door, seals).

Much easier for a Gas Safe engineer to accept and connect to.

Usually made from steel or aluminium, corrosion-resistant, and lockable.

Saves you the "is this compliant?" headache.

Cons:

You may need to adapt your layout to fit the standard size.

Can feel a bit pricey up front, but usually cheaper than a bad custom job + rework.

There are UK suppliers who sell:

13kg LPG cylinder storage boxes / gas lockers for catering trailers and food trucks.

Often listed as "LPG gas cylinder storage box" or "gas bottle locker for catering trailers".


3. Practical suggestion for your situation

Given you’ve said:

"We have decided on having the gas inside… to be securely locked away in a gas double sealed locker with two vents. 1 on the bottom and 1 on the side."

I’d suggest this route:

Double-check with a mobile catering Gas Safe engineer whether they’re happy with:

Cylinder inside an internal locker, or

If they want an externally-accessed locker (most do).

Ask them:

"Would you prefer we use a ready-made LPG locker or are you happy to sign off a custom one if it’s built to your spec?"

If they’re okay with custom:

Get them to give you a simple drawing or requirements list.

Take that to a fabricator who has done work on catering trailers / horseboxes / motorhomes before.

If they’d rather use a known solution:

Buy a pre-made LPG cylinder locker that fits a 13kg bottle and build your furniture around that.

4. My honest opinion

Use a proper off-the-shelf LPG cylinder locker, or

Get a fabricator who regularly works with catering trailers/motorhomes to build one to a Gas Safe engineer’s spec.

That way:

You’re more likely to pass Gas Safe inspection the first time.

Your insurer and local authority are happier.

You and your partner sleep better knowing your 13kg is in a properly designed, vented, sealed compartment.

Disclaimer: Always have any LPG installation, gas locker construction, and final sign-off carried out by a qualified Gas Safe engineer experienced in mobile catering. Local regulations may vary, so always check current legal requirements before building or installing any gas equipment.

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