Permanent air ventilation - campsite requirement

My SCA poptop has a ventilation strip going across the front top of the canvas and it has a warning sticker to say it must be open whilst camping. Probably an NCC requirement.
Personally, I don't open it as have enough ventilation through the windows.
Not sure if other poptop canvas' have similar?
Our Reimo roof has the same mesh strip along the front top edge.
 
My SCA poptop has a ventilation strip going across the front top of the canvas and it has a warning sticker to say it must be open whilst camping. Probably an NCC requirement.
Personally, I don't open it as have enough ventilation through the windows.
Not sure if other poptop canvas' have similar?
My wee van is from an NCA and IVA approved converter and has no such warnings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
Indeed, that seems to be the approach. I'd be less annoyed if they had a big banner on their booking form telling you to check if your van is compatible, but there's no indication. Instead you need to read 14 pages of t&c's. Apparently the are turning people away with no refunds, or telling people to bring a tent to sleep in. Will see what they say tomorrow...
People have passed away in tents as well with gas heaters being left on and I think some died after using a disposable BBQ and leaving it within the tent area after use but with embers still burning carbonmonoxide poisoning not burnt alive
 
Yeah it sounds like a decision made by a committee which has no interest in camping. What's next, a camper has a electrical issue and burns out, so they start checking the gauge of your cables?!
 
Thanks for the 'alert'.
I have been looking at 'Car Camping & Converted Vehicles: What’s Allowed at Camping New Forest'

My professionally converted T6.1 doesn't have 'built-in, uninterrupted, all-weather ventilation'.....

A bit of googling (AI);
To make a VW T6.1 camper conversion compliant with BS EN 721:2019 (the European standard for safety ventilation in leisure accommodation), your van requires a minimum of 4,000 mm² of "free area" ventilation
Key Requirements for T6.1 ConversionsVents: You must install at least two permanently open vents.Placement: 50% of the ventilation should be at high-level (usually in the roof or upper trim) and 50% at low-level (near the floor) to ensure a cross-flow of air. Gas Safety: If installing LPG appliances (like hobs or ovens), you will need to pair this ventilation standard with BS EN 1949:2021 for the gas system and BS EN 1646 for overall motorhome compliance.Measurement: The total open area accounts for the mesh or grilles, meaning the gross physical vent size often needs to be larger than 4,000 mm² to accommodate the grille obstruction.For exact compliance definitions, purchasing options, or certification advice, consult the BSI Knowledge Hub or the National Caravan Council (NCC).


I think 4000 mm2 = approx. 64mm x 64mm area.

I think I'll need to contact the company who converted my van in 2023....
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
Their probably to let air out when you close doors not as ventilation
This is true, but ventilation is ventilation. Also, unless you put the heating system onto "Recirc" and close the dash vents, the ventilation system is open to the outside, I can vouch for this after several Alpine winter ski trips. The whole campsite/ventilation rule thingy is a load of bo11ox.
 
Their probably to let air out when you close doors not as ventilation
That would be my understanding of them too - slam vents with louvres (which can get stuck closed and can easily be completely blocked off anyway by converters boarding over them, insulating over them etc. This is why, I’m told, the high level brake lights crack so often - the air pressure in the van peaks as doors close and the slam vents are obscured too much to work properly, the gaps around the high level break light and the fact they are the flimsiest part that is exposed to this air rush, means they crack.
 
They’re closed off, sealed, until a door closes, then they open to let the rush of air out.
As I say above conversions often obscure these vents too.
Don’t rely on them for any form of ventilation.
Fair comment. As an alternative course of action, the campsite could just insist on a working CO alarm. Simple fix, applicable to everyone, including tents, suits all forms of habitation. Just replaced ours this week. £25 for a twin pack from Screwfix.
 
Thanks for the 'alert'.
I have been looking at 'Car Camping & Converted Vehicles: What’s Allowed at Camping New Forest'

I do wonder what my Caravelle would be viewed as. When I've camped I've used the factory provided seating in the bed configuration VW advertise in the manual, and I have the VW blinds set sold for overnight sleeping in the van. Arguably sleeping in it is using the van as intended by VW as much as a California. I've not "converted" it at all, I'm using it as built and sold by VW.

I also have both a normal awning to one side and (if space) a sun canopy to the other, so would comply with the "if there's not space to change in the vehicle" - it's why I bought it as the Caravelle bed takes up much more space than a California (full width and no swivel seats) and obviously has no extra upwards space.

I don't have fixed gas in the van, I have the ubiquitous gas cartridge tent camping stove in the rear kitchen pod drawer. That's possibly the only bit that's not clear but all I really use it for is boiling water and it's always used in the open under the open tailgate or out on a camping table (just like a tent)

The New Forest is relatively near and I'd love to do some simple couple of nights camping with the younguns, I have great memories of doing the same with my folks in our caravan at the Holmsley site. But everytime I've looked, even before this, I got the distinct impression I wouldn't be welcome so have never tried.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CAB
"m in same situation, going away with grandkids next week in forest. We sleep in driveaway awning anyway and also have co2 detector in van, are we going to get turned away, already spent too much money on the van this year !!"

I hope you mean a Carbon Monoxide detector. Although CO2 will also finish you off but in a nicer way and is easier to reverse the damage if you are woken up in time.

Anyway, that will alert you for combusted gases, but not for leaks - which you might be able to smell if you aren't asleep. To be honest, sleeping in a small confined space with a gas canister a few cm away, probably not a bad idea to have some sort of permanent venting or a window open.
 
"m in same situation, going away with grandkids next week in forest. We sleep in driveaway awning anyway and also have co2 detector in van, are we going to get turned away, already spent too much money on the van this year !!"

I hope you mean a Carbon Monoxide detector. Although CO2 will also finish you off but in a nicer way.

Anyway, that will alert you for combusted gases, but not for leaks - which you might be able to smell if you aren't asleep. To be honest, sleeping in a small confined space with a gas canister a few cm away, probably not a bad idea to have some sort of permanent venting or a window open.
A 3 gas alarm would cover the other risks.
 
Back
Top