Safety instructions for LPG Gas Cylinder

Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders are a type of gas cylinder often used in homes, restaurants, canteens and other places. They are widely used, especially in areas where pipeline natural gas is not available for the time being. However, the safety hazards involved in the use of LPG cylinders cannot be ignored. Next, let’s learn some relevant knowledge about LPG cylinders!

Characteristics of Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Liquefied petroleum gas mainly consists of propane, butane and a small amount of methane, ethane, propylene, butene and residual liquid. Liquefied petroleum gas has the following properties:

1. Volatility: Liquefied petroleum gas absorbs heat and immediately volatilizes into gas under normal temperature and pressure. Its volume suddenly expands about 250 to 300 times, and it spreads rapidly.

2. Flammability and explosiveness: Liquefied petroleum gas has a low flash point and is highly dangerous. When liquefied petroleum gas comes into contact with air, it can be ignited by tiny sparks.

3. Corrosiveness: Liquefied petroleum gas can soften rubber and dissolve paint and grease.

4. Toxicity: Long-term exposure to high-concentration liquefied petroleum gas will have adverse effects on the nervous system; when the concentration of liquefied petroleum gas in the air exceeds 10%, it can cause suffocation.

Danger of LPG Gas Cylinder

When LPG cylinders are used normally under the temperature, pressure, and medium conditions specified in the design, accidents generally do not occur. However, if users use it illegally, it may easily cause security risks.

Exceeded design service life. According to TSG 23--2021 "Technical Regulations for Gas Cylinder Safety", the design service life of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders is 8 years. Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders are seam-welded containers. They are often used in small and humid environments, which can easily cause rust at the bottom of the cylinder and corrosion of the wall thickness. During use, the outer skin is often knocked off, causing the cylinder to deform, and the guard to become loose or even damaged. The cylinder will also naturally wear out after years of use, and the seals inside the angle valve may also be damaged, causing gas leakage. Therefore, LPG cylinders that have exceeded their designed service life pose safety risks.

Failure to conduct regular inspections as scheduled. According to TSG 23--2021 "Technical Regulations for Safety of Gas Cylinders", liquefied petroleum gas cylinders in use must be inspected once every 4 years from the manufacturing date shown on the steel seal of the cylinder. Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders should be inspected regularly to detect existing problems in a timely manner. However, the actual cylinder inspection rate is still very low, and a large number of expired and uninspected cylinders still exist in every corner of society, leaving many major safety hazards.

Overloading and overtemperature use. The filling volume of LPG in the cylinder must not exceed 85%, and it must not be used at high temperatures (such as near an open flame or exposed to the sun). Liquefied petroleum gas expands as the temperature rises, and the pressure increases sharply, which may cause a physical explosion.

Valve failure and aging hoses lead to leakage. The cylinder angle valve or pressure reducing valve loses control or the hose connecting the cylinder and the stove leaks, causing liquefied petroleum gas to leak and cause a fire.

Brutal loading and unloading. Cylinders may be handled or unloaded roughly during filling or transportation, causing mechanical damage to the outer surface of the cylinder.

Precautions for using LPG cylinders

1. Select liquefied gas cylinders produced by regular manufacturers and with product certificates, and conduct regular inspections on schedule. It is strictly prohibited to use unqualified gas cylinders or gas cylinders that have not been inspected beyond the expiration date.

2. Inspect before use. Liquefied petroleum gas cylinders should be handled with care. It is strictly forbidden to knock or collide with the cylinder. After the cylinder stove is connected, use soapy water to check whether there is air leakage at the joints such as the pressure reducing valve and hose before using it for the first time. If air leakage is found, It should be repaired in time.

3. Master the correct use of switches to prevent switches on stoves and gas bottles from being damaged and leaking. Always pay attention and educate children not to play with switches to prevent fire or other accidents. The angle valve of the LPG cylinder is clockwise to open and counterclockwise to close. Make no mistake.

4. Cylinders must be used upright and are strictly prohibited from being used horizontally or upside down. The distance between the cylinder and the gas appliance should not be less than 0.5m, the length of the hose between the cylinder and the stove should not exceed 2 meters, and it must not be used in the same room with other open flames at the same time.

5. When using liquefied petroleum gas, observe that the flame is normally light blue. If it is found to be red, it means incomplete combustion; there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and you should immediately ask a professional to repair and adjust the burning appliance. When using LPG stoves, do not leave people alone, and do not fill pots and kettles with too much water to prevent overflow and extinguish the fire.

6. After using the cylinder, turn off the stove switch and angle valve.

7. It is strictly forbidden to expose the cylinder to the sun, do not place the cylinder in a place where the temperature is too high, do not put the cylinder close to an open flame, and do not bake the cylinder with an open flame.

8. Cylinders are strictly prohibited from being placed in a closed low cabinet, and air circulation at the bottom of the cylinder should be ensured. If leakage is found when the cylinder is in use, the cylinder valve should be closed immediately and doors and windows should be opened for ventilation.

9. Note that the hose should avoid contact with high-temperature objects and heat radiation. Generally, the hose should be replaced every two years.

10. Users are not allowed to pour the gas in the bottle into other bottles by themselves, and it is strictly prohibited to handle the residual liquid in the bottle by themselves. Once exposed to an open flame, it will immediately cause combustion or explosion.

11. In the event of a fire, immediately close the cylinder angle valve with a soaked towel, move the cylinder to an open area outdoors, and call 119 to call the police.