At Solane, we commit ourselves to ensuring your safety and wellness while using LPG at home or at work. It is our priority to aim for no incidents that harm people, or put our customers, neighbors or facilities at risk.
7-Point Safety Check
1.) Environment
Place cylinders in a well ventilated area, away from sources of ignition.
2.)O-Ring
Inspect the rubber O-ring inside the valve. Ensure that it is free from scratches or cracks.
3.) Regulator
Use the correct regulator and check its condition frequently. Replace within 3 years.
4.)Regulator and Valve Connection
Attach the regulator and ensure that it is securely connected to the cylinder valve.
5.)Hose
Use the correct hose and check its condition regularly. Replace the hose every 2 years.
6.)Hose Connection
Use metal clamps to attach the hose to the regulator and appliance.
7.)Flame Quality
Ensure that your burner produces a blue flame. Always maintain the quality of your gas appliance.
Emergency Response
AT HOME
Gas Leak – if you smell gas:
- Eliminate all sources of ignition immediately. Do not switch on/off electrical switches which may cause sparks.
- Close the main gas valve or regulator to stop the flow of gas.
- Open windows, doors and other openings to increase ventilation.
- Evacuate all persons not involved in handling the emergency.
- If leak is on the cylinder, bring the cylinder to a well ventilated and isolated area.
- Cover leaking portion with wet cloth and/or spray water to disperse vapor cloud.
- Report the incident to your local fire department.
Gas Catching Fire
- Shut-off main gas valve or regulator.
- If fire is on cylinder, spray on the upper portion of the cylinder to keep it cool.
- Attempt to put out the fire only if the leak can be stopped.
- Call your local fire department or emergency hotline 117.
AT WORK
Gas Leak Indoors -If you smell gas:
- Switch off the emergency valve on the outside wall of the building and turn off the gas at the main shut off valve under the tank hood.
- Extinguish all naked flames immediately.
- Do not operate any electrical equipment and be aware of any equipment which may switch on or off automatically.
- Open all doors and windows to ventilate the building.
- Contact your installer or the technician who maintains your appliances.
Gas Leak Outdoors:
- Turn off the gas at the main shut off valve under the tank hood.
- Extinguish all naked flames immediately.
- Report the incident to your local fire department.
- Major Leak or Fire
- Call out the fire service and advise them that the leak or fire involves LPG.
- If the leak or fire is indoors, get everyone out of the premises.
- If the leak or fire is outdoors, evacuate people from the area and keep upwind of any leak.
- Call your local fire department or emergency hotline 117.
LPG Properties
Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a very versatile gas and can be used for a wide array of application: at home, in agriculture, in businesses, in industry and in vehicles. Discover more about LPG.
LPG vapour is heavier than air, which has important safety implications. Any leakage will sink to the ground and accumulate in low lying areas and may be difficult to disperse, so LPG should never be stored or used in cellars or basements.
Like main gas, LPG has no smell and so a strong "stench" agent is added before delivery to help detection of any leaks. LPG is flammable in air and although non-toxic, large quantities could cause suffocation.
LPG is a high performance fuel, but will only ignite if mixed with air in a gas:air ratio of between 1:50 and 1:10 (lower than the limit for mains gas). The low limit for flammability means that even small leaks could have serious results.
The ignition temperature of LPG in air is around 500ºC – lower than that of mains gas but actually requiring more energy to cause ignition. This means that some gas lighters may not work with LPG.
The calorific value of LPG is about 2.5 times higher than that of mains gas so more heat is produced from the same volume of gas.
LPG is chemically reactive and will cause natural rubber and some plastics to deteriorate. Only equipment and fittings specifically designed for LPG should be used.
LPG has been formed over millions of years beneath the ground. Gas rigs produce the gases as a mixture, which is then separated into methane (mains gas), liquefied petroleum gases (Propane and Butane) and other gases.
LPG is also produced from crude oil at refineries. LPG exists as gas at normal atmospheric pressure, only existing in a liquid form at very low temperatures or under pressure. When the pressure is released (eg when the gas supply valve is turned on), the liquid will boil and form a vapour. It is this vapour (gas), which is used to fuel appliances.
Heat is needed to convert the liquid to gas, known as the latent heat of vapourisation. As the liquid boils, it takes heat energy from itself and its surroundings. This is why the containers feel cold to the touch and if there is heavy gas off take, frost may appear on the outside.
Pressure increases with temperature, so if the temperature around the tank increases, so will the pressure inside the tank as the liquid expands. Tanks are normally fitted with a pressure release valve to release any extreme pressure build up safely.
There are two types of LPG - Propane and Butane. They have similar properties but different applications. They are not interchangeable due to the different operating pressures and burner settings required. Valves and fittings are also different to avoid confusion or accidental use of the wrong type of LPG.
Propane has a lower boiling point than butane so it will continue to convert from a liquid to a gas even in very cold conditions, down to -45ºC. When stored as a liquid in a tank, it exerts a greater pressure than Butane at the same temperature. So Propane, as an LPG, is most suitable for exterior storage and use.
Its ability to operate in low temperatures makes it the most suitable LPG for many applications. Propane is widely used as a fuel source for domestic and commercial heating, hot water and cooking. It also has a wide range of uses in industry and agriculture.
Butane has the lower vapour pressure at equivalent temperatures and is suitable for interior use or outside during the summer. Butane is a very common fuel amongst leisure users and owners of portable heaters. Propane and butane are normally stored in either portable steel cylinders or small bulk fixed storage tanks ready for use.
SUMMARY OF LPG PROPERTIES
Flammable
Volatile
Liquid forms lots of vapor
Leaks readily
Liquid expands with temperature
Vapor heavier than air
Liquid is lighter than water
Colorless and odorless
Cools on release of pressure
Not much heat needed to vaporize
Can cause asphyxiation