LPG Gas Cylinder Bottles Quality Assurance In Nigeria

Thousands of gas cylinder bottles are being imported into Nigeria, of which many of it are substandard. Substandard gas cylinders are highly dangerous as there there is a strong chances of leaking or combustion occurring. The refilling of these LPG cylinders endanger lives and properties, because manufacturers of these substandard gas cylinders do not incorporated safety measures to ensure the safe usage, including all of the necessary safety elements required for refilling.

The presence of moisture within a LPG cylinder bottle can could cause it to rust or fade. To prevent this, new gas cylinders are filled with dry and inert nitrogen gas to prevent both rust and eliminate the presence of moisture. However, this is not the case for substandard LPG gas cylinder bottles. 

Normally, LPG gas is stored in liquid form under pressure in a steel container, cylinder or tank. Due to the high pressure of LPG gas like propane, the strength to withstand the pressure will depend on the type of materials used to manufacture them. 

In Nigeria, empty gas cylinder bottles are shipped through the country land boarders illegally. Then, they are transported for sale to companies, shops and local markets nationwide. These gas cylinder bottles, are also sold to refilling LPG gas plants or black markets (retail resellers). Many of these cylinder bottles have not been inspected for quality assurance. Any gas cylinder bottles that fail this inspection are destroyed, but in Nigeria, failed gas cylinder bottles are refurbished, repaired and repainted for use.

LPG cylinder bottles  must undergo quality inspections in order to be qualified for use at home or anywhere. This is to ensure the provision of as safe, high quality range of LPG products for customers. SON (The Standard Organization Of Nigeria) have a lot of work to do. All these gas cylinder bottles need to be tested before taken to markets for sale. SON is the government agency responsible for quality assurance and they must do their job with diligence. This agency should recall the use of substances and procedures that can be injurious to health and life. The public may think it is just buying any kind of gas cylinder bottles without putting a thought on safety, but they are actually putting themselves and others at risk of serious injury or even death. 

Unlawful manufacturing of gas cylinder bottles locally is now at increasing numbers. Some reports of unlawful and dangerous remaking LPG gas cylinders at various sites and unauthorized locations. The production of LPG gas cylinders is potentially an extremely delicate activity, that requires appropriate expertise and training, use of certified equipments, safe working procedures and a safe environment. Production testing and inspection of valves, regulators, scaling/weigh, water capacity are done. Test or series of tests conducted to prove that the design meets the requirements of SON.