Improperly Installed Catalytic Heater

Tom and Susan Henry were camped in their 40' motorhome at a lovely mountainside campground in the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Even though it was May, the mountain evenings were still chilly. Tom decided to buy a catalytic heater to help keep them warm without using electric hookups. Considering himself fairly handy, he installed his new freestanding catalytic heater himself. Following the instructions that came with the unit, he ran a copper tube and rubber flex line from the coach's propane tank to the heater, then attached the coupler. Everything seemed to be in order until Tom ignited the heater to test it and an explosion occurred.

What Tom did not realize was the fittings were not properly tightened and propane was leaking. The resulting explosion from the ignition of the heater caused Tom to be injured and hospitalized with serious burns. Susan, who was standing not far away at the time, was burned as well. The fire burned beyond the initial explosion as the propane leak continued to feed it.

A neighbor used his cell phone to call for help. Others from nearby campsites jumped into action, bringing several fire extinguishers to the scene. One RVer brought a foam extinguisher, which was effective for this type of fire and the flames were put out in moments.

The local fire department's sirens could be heard, but it took a while for them to arrive at the scene. When they did arrive, the firemen commented on how impressed they were by the quick action of the RVers and congratulated them on acting smartly by moving surrounding RVs away from the fire.

According to Mac McCoy, 30-year fire-fighting veteran and full-time RVer, you shouldn't take chances installing propane appliances yourself. Have a certified installer handle the job to ensure they're installed properly. To check for leaks as part of the maintenance of your propane appliances, put soapy water around the fittings. If propane is leaking, the air escaping the tube along with the gas will cause the soapy water to bubble. To be sure all your connections are safe, visit a propane expert who can test your lines for leaks with a manometer. Leaks can not only cause fires, but also can be very dangerous if your RV is in an accident and you're driving with the propane turned on.

The fire trucks had a difficult time finding the Henry's site because they were deep in the campground and the fire wasn't producing much smoke to guide them. Many campgrounds provide maps upon check-in that give the street address of the campground and layout of the campsite, which can be helpful when describing your location to emergency operators. The Henrys were fortunate their neighbors were well-educated in the use of fire extinguishers and were able to put out the fire before it spread.

A catalytic heater can very effectively heat your coach without draining energy from your battery or electrical hookup, but be especially careful when using one. Be sure to always leave a window, door or latch open at least one inch while you have the heater running. It's also imperative to turn it off before going to sleep at night. If you sleep with it on and the wind blows your hatch or window shut in the night, there's a danger of carbon monoxide asphyxiation.

Catalytic heaters also need to be kept very clean and away from drapes, clothing or other items that might catch fire. These devices are wonderful, energy-efficient sources of heat, but use them with caution and with plenty of fresh oxygen circulating.