How Much Gas Leak Can Cause Fire Or Explosions At Home?

LPG gas fire outbreaks at home or anywhere is mostly caused by lack of awareness and overlooking simple situations. Most times, people do not keep to instructions concerning safety precautions when if comes to handle LPG at home or at anywhere it's being used. They don't realize LPG is very sensitive to temperature and will expand.

Substantially when subjected to an external heat source, it spread rapidly and quickly. LPG is highly inflammable and must be stored away from source of Ignition and in a well-ventilated area, so that any LPG leak can disperse safely, which is why it is always advisable you do not store the cylinders. Indoors in the safe. Your LPG cylinder bottles should be outdoor and just connected to the appliance by permanent piping using a strong hose. This would greatly reduce the rise of leaks and explosions. For example, if the connection to the cylinder leaks, if it is outdoor, it usually just gradually becomes weaker until it disappears in the air.

LPG gas leak can occur in many unthinkable ways. From defective O-ring rubber inside gas cylinder valve; one that connect the gas cylinder outlet to your regulator - to faulty regulators, dented hose pipes. Some rubber tubes and LPG regulators are substandard. This is why only hoses and other equipment specifically designed for LPG should be used, purchased from authorized distributors.

How Do LPG Gas Leak?

It is easy to recognize a LPG gas leak due to a powerful odour known as ETHYL MERCAPTAN. If your gas cylinder bottle is leaking through the regulator, most times it is either the hose pipe or O-ring sealing rubber, or faulty valve. Always check the rubber tubes associated with the LPG gas cylinder. They should not be damaged or found to have expand.

Always remember to check whether sealing rubber O-ring is in place inside the gas cylinder valve after refilling at LPG gas station. This can be done by feeling the same with the help of your little tip finger. Do not attempt to use the gas cylinder if the O-ring rubber is missing. Put back the safety cap and contact your LPG gas supplier or distributor for replacement of the gas cylinder. Failure to do this is very dangerous and not recommended. LPG gas could leak or escape. Sealing O-ring rubber helps reduce iron friction of valve and regulator. It also helps tighten regulator to the valve.

For LPG gas skid operators or attendants, the number one rule of safety is to always do a soapy water test for pipes, regulator before or after a refill. 

At home, it is recommended that you connect your gas cylinder bottles with permanent hose pipe outdoor. Just in case gas leaks, it can easily mix with air quickly outside.

The presence of moisture within LPG gas cylinders could it to rust or fade. To prevent both rust and eliminate the presence of moisture, always keep your gas cylinder bottles far away from tickling water or direct sunlight. If you noticed your gas cylinder bottles going rusty, better to get another brand new one. Repainting gas cylinder bottles may not always be the best option.

It is recommended you do a soapy water test everytime you reconnect your gas cylinder. Spray the entire hose pipe, regulator and valve with soapy water detergent. Bubbles will form if there is a gas leak. There is also a device that claim to use sensor to detect leakage. It is now available in the local market.

Lastly, if you Smell slight gas while cooking near the gas cylinder, this is sometimes followed with a hissing sound emitting a foul-smell, the first step is to turn off your regulator knob. After take the gas cylinder bottle to a safer, well ventilated area. Disconnect the gas regulator from the hose pipe, then call your distributor for assistance.