Posted By Steve Kearney If anybody has used a "mushroom heater" on their patio, then they will know where I am going here.... I have a gas "flambeaux" flame effect piece of equipment which is basically, a 13kg propane bottle with a regulator (such as on a mushroom heater), a rubber hose (BS rated) in metal protected conduit, running, 5ft up to a nozzle, which is welded into a metal open bowl, giving the "flambeaux" effect when lit. There is a metal frame that holds it all together very safely, and I have risk assessed it many times and made adjustments accordingly. I wonder if my peers on this site, can picture what I'm talking about and explain to me why my manufacturers have now suggested some changes - these include: * Changing Propane for Butane * Installing an electrically operated regulator * Removing the "bowl" at the top and replacing it with a flat piece of metal (they say that gas may linger in the bowl - however, my assessment insists that if the flambeaux blows out, which is unlikely, then, after turning off the regulator, a period of a few minutes should elapse before attempting to re-light it, thus allowing gas, which is lighter than air to esacpe) I only ask, as it poses the changes provide me with a large financial increase in what I pay for them now. The Gas Safety regs are a source of reference which gives me the legislative implications of poor manufacture / use, but Im interested to know what your thoughts are on why, in my position you would accept these new changes ? PS - They, as we, use only CORGI registered engineers. Steve

Posted By Ali Butane has a higher hydrocarbon content than propane (4 carbon molecule as opposed to 3C)and therefore produces more energy (heat). Unfortunately, it also produces more CO2 and so is less friendly to the Environment ! Ali

Posted By jackdaw You say that manufacturers want to change the bowl at the top by replacing it with a flat piece on metal because they say that gas may linger in the bowl. You say that your assessment insists that if the flambeaux blows out then after turning off the regulator a period of a few minutes should elapse before attempting to relight. What do you assess could happen if a few minutes isn't left before trying to relight it? Maybe this is what the manufacturers are considering.

Posted By jackdaw The point I was trying to make was that if you are reducing the level of risk through written instructions (which some people will not follow) then maybe the manufacturers didn't think this was acceptable and want to reduce the risk through engineering measures - replacing the bowl so that gas will not linger for a time, and it will not rely on users leaving it for 5 minutes.