Get easy with LPG cylinders

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Get easy with LPG cylinders

If not administered properly, a life saving drug can become a life threatening one. It is the case with LPG � the cooking gas used in our households. Inadequate knowledge about the safe handling of LPG cylinders can result in disastrous consequences!

CJ: Aamir Ali

Mon, Mar 24, 2008 13:59:07 IST

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LPG Cylinder News

PETROLEUM GAS consists of butane, propane and ethane. All these gases are combustible and highly flammable. These compounds are gases under ordinary temperatures and pressures, but they can be liquefied easily under pressure, and in that state, these are called liquefied petroleum gas or LPG. LPG is the domestic gas that we use in our kitchens. It can burn or explode when it comes in contact with air or a source of ignition. In domestic LPG cylinders, small amount of foul smelling ethyl mercaptan is added as an odour to help detect leaks.

LPG is a flammable gas, which has the potential to create a disaster. There have been many instances of avoidable fires and unfortunate deaths because of improper use of gas cylinders and gas heaters. Therefore, it is important that the properties and safe handling of LPG are understood and implemented in the domestic and commercial/industrial usages. Since LPG is stored under pressure, it can leak from any joint or improperly sealed connection. LPG is heavier than air, and any significant leak will move downwards and stay on the ground. It can accumulate in any low-lying area such as depressions in the ground, drains or pits. LPG has the potential to create a fire or an explosion. The cylinders are strong and not easily damaged, although the valve at the top can be vulnerable to impact. Leaks can occur from valves and pipe connections, most likely as a gas.

While changing LPG cylinders:

Extinguish all nearby flames and do not smoke
Switch off gas appliances
Switch off and disconnect the pressure regulator followed by replacing the used LPG cylinder
Carefully and firmly re-connect the pressure regulator, and ensure that there is no smell/sound of gas leaking from the cylinder
Switch on the pressure regulator and check your gas appliances for proper operation

Gas leak:

If you smell or suspect a gas leak, you must take the following actions immediately, if safe to do so:

Extinguish all naked flames
Avoid using telephone or any electrical switches near the gas leak
Open all windows and doors to disperse the gas
Do not touch the gas appliances in case you accidentally operate the ignition switch. Instead, turn off the gas supply at the pressure regulator switch. Disconnect the regulator from the cylinder, if possible.
If the gas leak is serious, or if you are unsure for any reason, leave the premises at once and inform your neighbours to evacuate, but do not press any doorbells as it may cause a spark. Use staircases to evacuate the building, dial 101 and notify the fire services department.

Do not use gas heaters while sleeping:

Do not use heaters that vent its exhaust into the room for prolonged periods, especially while sleeping. These un-vented heaters can release carbon monoxide. Although most heaters are equipped with oxygen depletion alarms but these alarms do not indicate levels of carbon monoxide and are therefore dangerous and can even result in death.

In case of a fire due to gas leak:

Immediately dial 101 to call the fire brigade. Tell them that LPG cylinders are on the premises.
Tell everybody to leave the premises and go to a safe place well away from the installation
If it is safe to do so, turn off all LPG appliances
If the leak is indoors, open all doors and windows
Don’t switch on or off any lights or electrical equipment, as it may cause a spark
A leak in the pipe can be stopped by closing the regulator on the cylinder, but do this only if you can approach the cylinders safely

Fire fighting:

Don’t try to put out a fire caused LPG – leave it to the fire brigade. It is safer to evacuate everyone from the area. An overheated cylinder can explode. If you have a fire fighting equipment, make sure that you know how to use it, and that it is maintained regularly. Don’t try to use it on the burning LPG. If the fire is near the cylinders or pipe, or if you can’t put it out quickly – leave it.

Expiry date of LPG cylinders:

There is an expiry date for all LPG cylinders that are used in India for cooking. In a typical LPG cylinder, look at the inner surface of one of the three stems at the top for an alphanumeric inscription. The alphabet code signifies the quarter of the year:

A – First quarter ending in March

B – Second quarter ending in June

C – Third quarter ending in September

D – Fourth quarter ending in December

The number following it represents the year. For instance, in the example shown above with the number D-06, the LPG cylinder life expires by Dec 2006. The second example with D-13 means that the cylinder can be used till Dec 2013. Hence, the codes ABCD followed by the year indicate the period before which the vessel or the cylinder has to be tested and inspected to ensure safety. It means that if a customer gets a cylinder in June 2006 with marking as B-06, it does not indicate that the physical life of the cylinder has expired, it only means that this cylinder is due for statutory testing by the end of June 2006.

Every empty LPG cylinder, when it comes from the distributor to the bottling plant for filling, is required to be checked for its condition including the marked date for the statutory testing due. Cylinders due for testing should be segregated and sent for testing. After refilling, every cylinder must be checked for its weight and soundness, before being despatched to the distributors.

For more information, please contact:

Aamir Ali

Project coordinator (UNDP/Disaster Management)

Office of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir

Email: aamiralimir@gmail.com

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Posted comments (4)

	is it possible that a leaking lpg cylinder in a closed room (not a kitchen) with a defective electrical extesion switch boaard ( electrical short circuit) can cause fire but neither the cylinder nor the regulator the has any burnt marks?
	\| 26 May 2009 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse

	at what pressure a domestic LPG cylinder is stored and what pressure it is tested at ?Als at what temprature a domestic LPG cylinder can explode and does it depend on quantity of gas inside ?
	\| 21 April 2009 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse

1. There is no set pressure for storage of LPG in Cylinders.The Pressure in LPG Cylinder is due to pressure exerted by gas on the walls of Cylinder.When Equillibrium occurs at certain Temperature in a closed vessel,we call it critical pressure.This Pressure ranges from 5 Kg/cm2 to 7 Kg/cm2 depending upon the ambient tempeture.2.The LPG Cylinder is tested at 25 Kg/cm23. The LPG Cylibers is filled for operation upto ambient Temperature of 55 C.4. Yes,Quantity of Gas in Cylinders determines pressure inside the Cylinder at certain temperature.regards,

Aamir Ali | 22 April 2009

	Dear Brother Mr.Aamir alii am mechanical engineer my experiance more then 12 year in field of LPG cylider manufacturing,design ing quality etc. dear brother any help for LPG Cylinder related please contect me thanks and best rgard farhad ali03018120065
	\| 18 November 2008 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse

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