Gas, electricity and water are the three systems on which operations depend. If one fails, the trading day is over. Two of these also require mandatory inspections – without them, you risk losing your insurance cover in the event of damage.
LPG
Most food trucks cook using propane from 11-kg or 33-kg cylinders. This is practical because it doesn’t rely on a mains electricity supply, but it can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Gas inspection – three sets of regulations
DE Germany
AT Austria
CH Switzerland
Inspection of the commercial liquefied petroleum gas system
For commercial liquefied petroleum gas systems installed in or on vehicles, the Industrial Safety Regulation and the DGUV Rule 110-010 decisive. The periodic review takes place at least every two years. Shorter deadlines may result from the risk assessment. Appoint a person qualified to carry out the inspection and ensure the inspection report is available. A recreational vehicle inspection in accordance with G 607 does not replace the commercial inspection.
The inspection covers, amongst other things, the tightness of the pipes, the condition of the hoses, the securing of the gas cylinders, the ventilation of the cylinder compartment and the exhaust system of the appliances. Cost: usually between 150 and 400 euros, plus any additional work required.
What happens if the check fails: Without the required inspection report, authorities or event organisers may restrict operations. The consequences of a deficiency for your insurance cover depend on the terms of your policy and the specific claim. Ensure that any expired inspections are renewed before you start operating.
Hoses and regulators
Gas hoses age, even if they are hardly ever used. They bear a date of manufacture and must be replaced in accordance with the relevant regulations, the manufacturer’s instructions and their condition. Have a specialist company record the expiry dates for hoses, regulators and safety devices in your inspection schedule.
Estimate consumption
As a rough guide: an 11-kg cylinder will last for around eight to twelve hours when a deep-fat fryer and two hobs are in continuous use. Always carry a full spare cylinder with you and, at festivals, allow for double your estimate.
Electricity
Is your power supply sufficient?
Choose your appliances. Below, you’ll find details of which connection you need – and whether they’ll even work with a standard socket.
Cooking & Frying
Refrigeration
Water & Miscellaneous
Rarely does everything run at full capacity at once. A 70 per cent estimate is realistic; 100 per cent keeps you on the safe side. Refrigeration units operate in cycles, whilst deep-fat fryers only maintain the temperature – but they use maximum power whilst heating up.
Guidelines for planning. The actual power rating is stated on the type plate of each unit – this is the only figure that counts when designing the system.
Three ways to power the truck – you’ll usually need two of them.
Shore power
The most convenient option: a CEE socket at the pitch. Common options are CEE 16 A blue (single-phase, approx. 3.6 kW) or CEE 32 A red (three-phase, up to approx. 22 kW). Before booking a pitch, check what’s available – ‘electricity available’ can also mean a 16 A Schuko socket that’s already being used by two other stalls.
Work out your requirements: refrigeration, lighting, coffee machine, extractor fan, till. A dual-group portafilter machine alone easily draws 3 kW whilst warming up. If you want to manage on 16 A, you’ll need to stagger the use of your appliances.
Generator
For locations without a connection. It is important to have a Inverter generator: It supplies clean power that is suitable even for sensitive electronic equipment, and is significantly quieter. Many markets have noise limits, and in some cases generators are completely banned.
Rule of thumb: Continuous power output should be at least 1.3 times your calculated requirement, as compressors draw several times that amount when starting up.
Battery
A service battery is sufficient for lighting, the water pump and the till. For overnight refrigeration, you’ll need a proper system with a lithium battery – this is a four-figure investment, but it saves you from having to run the generator at night.
Inspection in accordance with DGUV Regulation 3
Portable electrical equipment used in a commercial setting must be inspected regularly – usually once a year, though longer intervals are possible if the fault rate is low. The inspection must be carried out by a qualified electrician. The same applies here: without proof of inspection, you’ll face problems in the event of damage.
Water
The most unspectacular and most frequently underestimated part.
What is required
Under the EU Food Hygiene Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Annex II, Chapter III), a mobile food business handling unpackaged food must:
- sufficient Drinking water food-grade,
- a device for hygienic hand washing – Hand washbasin with hot and cold water, soap dispenser and disposable towels,
- separate facilities for cleaning equipment and food,
- a well-organised Wastewater disposal.
The hand washbasin must be separate from the sink. Many inspectors expect a tap that can be operated without using your hands (foot pedal, knee-operated or sensor-activated).
Tank sizes
Allow for 100 to 120 litres of fresh water for a normal trading day. If you do a lot of washing up, you’ll quickly use up 150 litres. The waste water tank must be at least as big – otherwise the kitchen will come to a standstill, even though there’s still fresh water left.
An important point regarding weight: 120 litres of water weigh 120 kilograms. Full tanks take up a significant portion of your payload.
Hot water
A gas instantaneous water heater is energy-efficient, but forms part of the gas installation and must therefore be included in the inspection. Electric boilers are simpler, but require electricity – 5 litres at 2 kW is a common compromise.
Brief overview of the exams
| What | Background | Interval | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquefied gas system | DGUV Regel 110-010 | every 2 years | Person authorised to carry out inspections |
| Electrical system | DGUV Regulation 3 | usually annually | Electrical engineer |
| Vehicle | Section 29 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVZO) | by vehicle type | TÜV, DEKRA and others |
| Fire extinguisher | DIN 14406-4 | every 2 years | Expert |
Practical tip: Put together a file – both digital and in your vehicle – containing all inspection certificates, your business registration, the information notice under Section 43 of the IfSG and the HACCP plan. You don’t want to have to search for them during an inspection. Make a note of the expiry dates in your calendar three months in advance.