LPG Gas Connection – Precautions & Safety Tips

These days we see that LPG is commonly utilized in nearly every industry, households and others for obvious reasons like affordability, utility, Eco-friendliness, less perilous than its alternatives and so on. It has certainly ascertained itself to be one of the most reliable and easily manageable fuels. Yet, owing to certain properties of LPG, catastrophes related to it are not unheard of. And they are definitely not sporadic. Surprisingly, these accidents are often the cause of negligent and careless handling rather than the volatile nature of LPG itself.

LPG must be used in line with protective measures specified by the provider. Flawed use of LPG can end up in blasts, fire hazards, property damage and most vitally deathly injuries or death. Please do not overlook problems like leakages in pipes or cylinders, faulty regulators, wrong way in which the cylinder is stored etc.

Given below are safety measures to take in any given situation.

About Approval of LPG Appliances:

1. Always go for BIS validated devices
2. Get BIS authorized rubber tubes and LPG regulators from certified suppliers only

While Getting Your Cylinders:

1. Ensure that the company seal and safety cap is fixed securely on your gas cylinder.
2. If you are in doubt about the procedure, do not hesitate to as the delivery man for a demo.
3. Your LPG cylinder should be fixed at ground level on a plain surface.
4. It is a common practice to drag, roll or drop the cylinder. This is strictly unadvisable.

Before Usage & After Usage:

1. Make sure that the rubber 'O' ring inside the cylinder valve is intact.
2. Be on the alert for any noticeable signs of seepage, be it visual examination or the favourite soap solution test or smell.
3. Never use lit match-sticks or candles to look for leakages.
4. Always store the cylinder in vertical position at plain level at a well aired place.
5. Never keep the LPG cylinder in your cabinet.
6. The LPG stove should always be fitted on kitchenette slab at a position above cylinder.
7. The cylinder should be kept as far as possible other heat sources like induction cooker, lit lamp etc.
8. Turn the regulator knob to 'OFF' position once you are done with cooking.
9. If you have empty cylinders, please store them in a cool and airy spot. See that the safety cap is in place.
10. Keep the lighter ready and then turn the knob 'ON'.
11. Don't forget to switch off the flame while you change the LPG cylinder .
12. Ideally, you must change the rubber tube once in six months.

In Case of a Leakage:

1. Do not panic and calm your mind.
2. Do not turn on or turn off any electrical appliances in the kitchen if you think that there is a leak.
3. Put out all flames, lights, incense sticks etc.
4. Shut down the appliance and turn off the LPG regulator.
5. Immediately put on the Safety Cap on the cylinder after the regulator is switched off.
6. Keep all the windows and doors open to ensure ventilation. But do not switch on electric fans or exhaust fans for this purpose.
7. Get in touch with your dealer at the earliest.

LPG Safety Tips for Home

A kitchen is a place where we spend quite some time, with it being used multiple times on a daily basis. Given the fact that most kitchens house a number of appliances, it is important to keep a few simple points in mind to avoid any LPG related accidents. Listed below are some simple LPG safety tips:

• Never use any appliance which does not meet BIS safety standards. Using sub-standard products could result in damages due to poor quality. Ensure that the LPG regulator and Suraksha rubber tubes in your kitchen have an ISI mark, making sure that you purchase them from reliable sources. Any damage in the rubber tube or regulator could lead to a gas leak, leading to a chance of explosion.
• Ensure that you get your equipment serviced regularly. There could be instances where we feel a quick, home-fix remedy is all that's needed, but one should avoid this. Servicing should be done by qualified professionals, with periodic maintenance checks done.
• Check the LPG cylinder to see if it is genuine. Given the large black market out there, it is possible to get a duplicate cylinder delivered.
• Make sure that the safety cap is not tampered with before you take delivery of the LPG cylinder.
• If you are unaware as to how to connect an LPG cylinder please request the delivery guy to show how to connect it. DO NOT EXPERIMENT WHILE CONNECTING YOUR LPG CYLINDER.
• Make sure that the cylinder is kept vertically, in a place which has sufficient ventilation. This is to ensure that gas leaks do not concentrate at one spot. Also ensure that the cylinder is kept flat, at ground level. Do not enclose the cylinder in a cabinet, nor keep it at the same level as the gas stove.
• There are safety utilities which can be purchased from the market. These could prevent accidental leaks.
• Make sure that the gas stove has no curtains nearby. This could accidently lead to fires if the curtains blow onto the stove while it has a flame.
• Do not keep any other fuel next to the LPG cylinder. A number of times it is observed that people keep kerosene and the cylinder together. This should not be done.
• Ensure that there are no inflammable materials in the kitchen.
• DO NOT BUY GAS CYLINDERS FROM THE BLACK MARKET. You might be tempted to purchase them from other sources, but this could pose a risk.
• Do not manually try to transfer the gas from one cylinder to another. This could lead to gas leaks.
• Ensure that the cylinder is not close to any heat-generating source (like a stove).
• Always ensure that you do not cut/throw the safety cap which comes with the LPG cylinder. This cap can be used to plug a leak, if any.
• Never keep the burner knob open while waiting to light a matchstick. Always light the matchstick and then turn on the knob.
• Do not use synthetic clothes to handle kitchen equipment. These give rise to chances of fire.
• Ensure that you do not forget about any item on the gas. This could lead to a situation where the contents inside overflow and extinguish the flame, leading to gas leaks.
• Try to avoid keeping other electrical appliances near the gas cylinder. Any fluctuations could spark a fire in case there is a leak.
• Ensure you always turn off the knob after use. There are instances where the knob is partially on, which could lead to gas leaks.
• DO NOT PANIC in case of a gas leak. Stay calm and open all doors and windows in the house.
• Close all the stove knobs in case you sense a leak. Turn off the regulator as well.
• Keep the emergency number handy, for experts could be contacted in case of leaks.
• Contact your agency and ask them to send help.
• Turn off all electrical appliances like the fridge, TV, lights, etc. These could result in a spark which can lead to fire.
• Remember to put the safety cap on the cylinder if you smell gas. Always ensure that the safety cap is tied to the cylinder.
• Do not use the lighter/matchstick if you sense a gas leak.
• It is advisable to evacuate the house until experts from the gas agency arrive. Ensure that you follow the simple rule "Safety First".
• Do not use an electric fan to disperse the gas. An electric appliance can trigger a spark, leading to explosions.
• You could install gas detectors in the kitchen. These could raise an alarm in case of a leak.
• Always remember that prevention is better than cure. Stay alert at all times. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of an emergency.

An LPG cylinder has made life easy, being an integral part of our homes. While companies have implemented a number of safety measures to reduce incidents, accidents can happen anytime. The onus of preventing an accident lies on us, and using a few simple measures can ensure that kitchens in India are accident free.

Precautions and Safety Tips for Hotels and Industries

LPG or Liquified Petroleum Gas is highly beneficial and popular. As compared to other sources of energy such as fossil fuels or natural gas, LPG cylinder is much more energy efficient and versatile. LPG is also convenient to store and procure besides being economical. The Government of India also offers subsidies for LPG cylinder to customers with annual taxable income below Rs. 10 lakh. LPG is used in a number of households and also in commercial establishments such as hotels.

However, it must be noted that despite all the safety features of LPG cylinders, it is still combustible and a source of fuel. Therefore certain safety measures must be taken regarding LP especially in hotels and other commercial establishments.

LPG Safety Tips for Commercial Use and Hotels

Since LPG is combustible, it is imperative for workers to ensure that certain measures, precautions and procedures are maintained so that there are no casualties and issues.

Precautions

1. In case of accidents, even minor ones it is important for workers to raise an alarm or a siren.
2. In case customers detect leaks they will need to immediately close isolation valves and stop using it.
3. In case there is a valve leakage directly from the cylinder, users will have to ensure that they put the safety cap and then carry the cylinder out to an open space.
4. In case of a fire, customers must only use a D.C.P type of a fire extinguisher or call the fire station.
5. In case leakage cannot be controlled, the fire department must be notified.

Don'ts

1. Customers must ensure that cylinders are always in an upright position. They must also never heat the cylinder indirectly or directly.
2. The cylinder must be checked for leakage from the valve and 'O' ring prior to connection.
3. Unconnected cylinders must not be stored and valves should be switched off when the cylinder is not being used.
4. Entry must be restricted to only authorized people and extra material must never be stored in the LPG storage area especially combustible ones.
5. Battery operated instruments must not be used inside the shed along with electrical items that are not flame proof.
6. Smoking and naked flame is not allowed inside the storage area.

LPG Safety Emergency Helpline

In case of an emergency, customers can dial 100 for the police, 101 for the fire brigade or contact their closest LPG gas service station. Following the above precautions can ensure that LPG does not become harmful or cause damage.