- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), stored as a liquid under pressure in cylinders, is widely used in homes as cooking gas.
- The main hazards associated with LPG are fire or explosion in case of even minor leakage.
- LPG being colorless and odorless, a distinctive foul odor is added to enable easy detection of a leak.
- As LPG vapour is heavier then air, these vapor accumulate at lower levels and a fire or explosion may result.
- How To Handle LPG Safely
- Safety While Receiving Door Delivery:
- Check whether valve-sealing tag is intact and safety protection cap is in position.
- Check leakage from valve by applying soap solution.
- Very important information. Most of us do not know this. There is an expiry date (physical life) for LPG cylinders?
- Note: Expired Cylinders are not safe for use and may
- cause accidents. Before receiving check and receive.
- Safety While Receiving Delivery:
- How we can check the expiry of LPG cylinders: On one of three side stems of the cylinder, the expiry date is coded alpha numerically as A or B or C or D and some two digit number following this e.g. D06.
- The alphabets stand for quarters - A for March (First Qtr), B for June (Second Qtr), C for Sept (Third Qtr), & D for December (Fourth Qtr). The digits stand for the year till it is valid. Hence D06 would mean December qtr of 2006.
- Note: Incase of Industrial and two stem cylinders the expiry date will be mentioned by month followed year.
- Example: 12-07 which means valid upto Dec-07
- Safety While Changing Cylinder:
- Put out all fires in the room.
- Switch off all electrical appliances.
- Check the leakage from the rubber tube connection by applying soap solution.
- Leave changing of a new cylinder to trained person.
- Don’t drag, roll or drop the cylinders.
- Open windows for free ventilation.
- Preserve safety protection cap.
- Never light the matchstick to check the leakage.
- Safe Usage
- Always keep cylinder in upright position, away from any source of heat,
- in a well-ventilated place. While moving cylinder, keep it upright.
- Don’t tilt it to draw the last bit of gas. Tilting or shaking can obtain no
- extra gas.
- Position stove or burner above the level of cylinder.
- To light the burner, open the cylinder valve, hold a lighted matchstick or
- gas lighter over the burner and only then turn the knob of the burner on.
- To turn off the burner, first close the cylinder valve and then the burner knob.
- When the stove is not in use, keep the cylinder valve closed check this
- particularly every night and when ever you leave the house.
- If the flame goes out during use, do not re-light it immediately. First
- close the cylinder valve and burner knob. Open all doors and windows.
- Allow time for leaked gas for dissipates. Only then relight the burner.
- Do not use synthetic fabric while operating the stove. Wear cotton dress.
- Keep children away from stove and cylinder.
- Use dry potholders when handling the pans on the stove. Do not use trailing towels, aprons etc.
- Never leave the stove or burner unattended when it is in operation.
- Cooking material may overflow on the burners, Extinguish the flame and
- leakage of gas will occur. Accumulate gas could get ignite.
- Never try to repair or adjust any part of the gas installation or allow
- untrained person to do so.
- Do not position shelf or cabinet above the stove.
- If your stove is near the window, do not use curtains as they may blow
- over the burner and can catch fire.
- In case you suspect LPG Leakage:
- Close burner knobs and cylinder valves and re-fix safety protection cap.
- Extinguish any open flame.
- Don’t light a match or bring in other ignited material.
- Open windows for free ventilation.
- Do not touch electrical switches.
- Do not temper with installation
- Immediately contact your distributor and the fire brigade.
- Keep their phone numbers handy.
- Share this message with everyone in your family and everyone you know.
- This will save life of many people across the world and create awareness among the public.