List of Safety Tips for Using LPG

LPG is the most commonly used fuel in India. According to a study released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, above 70% of Indians utilise LPG as their primary cooking fuel, while approximately 85% have LPG connections. However, properties like highly pressurised storage and inflammability in LPG make it one of the most dangerous fuels to use. Therefore, individuals must be precautious and follow the safety guidelines while using LPG.

This blog summarises safety tips for using LPG. So if you are interested to know about them, keep reading!

Negligence while using LPG can cause accidental hazards. Therefore, follow the precautions listed below for each situation to avoid such mishaps:

Safety Tips for Approval of LPG Appliances

• Always purchase BIS-verified appliances.
• Purchase BIS-certified LPG regulators and rubber tubes from verified suppliers only.

Safety Tips While Buying an LPG Cylinder

• You must check whether the company safety cap and seal are properly fixed on a gas cylinder or not.
• If you are unaware of the installation procedure for an LPG cylinder, ask the delivery agent to show you a demo.
• The LPG cylinder should be placed on the ground and on a plain surface.
• An LPG cylinder is often dragged, rolled or dropped on the ground. Strictly avoid such practices to prevent accidents.

Safety Tips for Before and After Usage

• Ensure that an 'O’-shaped rubber ring is placed intact inside the cylinder valve.
• Check for any signs of seepage.
• Never use lit candles or match sticks to look for leakages.
• Never install the cylinder in a cabinet.
• Keep the cylinder vertically on a plain surface in a well-aired area.
• Install the LPG stove on the kitchenette slab just above the cylinder.
• Keep heat sources such as a lit lamp and induction cooker away from an LPG cylinder.
• Always turn off the regulator knob after you complete the cooking.
• If you have empty cylinders at home, keep them in a well-aired and cool place. Check whether the safety cap is intact or not.
• Always keep the lighter ready while turning on the knob.
• Turn off the flame while changing the LPG cylinder.
• It is ideal to alter the rubber tube once in six months.

Safety Tips During Leakage in LPG Cylinder

• If you notice any leakage in your LPG cylinder, keep calm and do not panic. Do not switch on or off any electrical devices in your kitchen.
• Put out flames of incense sticks, candles, etc.
• Switch off the LPG regulator and stove knobs.
• Fix the safety cap on the cylinder immediately after turning off the regulator
• Open doors and windows to ensure proper ventilation. However, do not turn on the exhaust or electric fans for ventilation.
• Contact your dealer as soon as possible.

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Usually, you install the LPG cylinder in your kitchen. However, your kitchen does not only contain this cylinder but also has other electronic appliances and flammable items. So, the risks of accidents are quite prominent here. Therefore, follow the safety tips mentioned below while using LPG at your home:

• Do not use any appliances that do not meet the safety standards of BIS. Using such products causes damage to them due to substandard quality and further increases the risk of accidents.
• Always buy Surakhsha rubber tubes and LPG regulators with an ISI mark from a reputed supplier. This is important because damages to regulators or rubber tubes can cause leakage, increasing the chance of explosion.
• Servicing equipment at regular intervals is essential to prevent damage. Make sure that a qualified professional performs checks and repairs and strictly avoids quick remedies at home.
• Check whether the LPG cylinder you purchased is genuine or not. This is a crucial check given the availability of black markets, and you may get a delivery of a duplicate cylinder.
• Ensure the safety cap on your delivered cylinder has not been tampered with.
• No curtains should be near the gas stove as these can accidentally catch fire.
• Keep all flammable items away from your kitchen.
• Never transfer the gas manually from one cylinder to another. This can cause leakage.
• Do not throw or cut the safety cap fixed on your LPG cylinder. You can use this to plug a leak.
• Never use synthetic clothes to handle kitchen devices as these can catch fire.
• Do not forget about the foods that are placed on your gas stove. This leads to an overflow of the food content and extinguishes the flame, causing gas leakage.
• Avoid keeping too many electronic appliances in your kitchen. In case of any gas leakage, fluctuations can spark a fire.
•  You can install gas leakage detectors in your kitchen. These devices will make you cautious with their alarm system if there is any gas leakage.
• You can also install a fire extinguisher to meet emergencies caused due to leakage in LPG cylinders or other related issues.
• Keep the emergency contact number of the dealer handy so that you can contact him or her immediately if you notice any gas leakage.

LPG is combustible. Therefore, go through the following safety tips that you should follow while working with LPG at hotels or for commercial purposes:

• As a worker at a hotel, you should raise the alarm in both minor and major accidents caused while using LPG.
• If customers at your hotel detect gas leakage, you must close the isolation valve and stop utilizing it immediately.
• If there is a leakage in the valve, you must put on the safety cap and take out the cylinder in an open space.
• You must use a DCP fire extinguisher or get in touch with a fire station immediately in case of a fire breakout due to LPG-related issues. Even if there is no fire breakout, if you cannot stop the gas leakage, contact the fire department without any delay.
• Always keep the LPG cylinder upright.
• Do not heat an LPG cylinder directly or indirectly.
• A cylinder that is not yet connected should not be stored. Besides, switch off valves when it is not in use.
• You should never store additional materials, especially combustible items, where you have kept your LPG cylinder.
• Avoid using battery-operated equipment and other electrical items in the LPG shed.
• There should be no naked flames in and around the LPG shed.
• Strictly avoid direct exposure of LPG cylinder to rain, sun, dust and heat.
• Carefully check the valve and 'O' ring before installing the cylinder to look for any gas leakage.
  

Thus, follow these safety tips for using LPG to avoid accidental hazards. If there is an emergency, do not hesitate to reach out to the fire brigade by dialing 101 or 100 to contact the police.