Slipshod handling of gas cylinders poses danger

Manama : Recent accidents caused fromthe explosion of gas cylinders kept outside recklessly prompted DT News to investigate into this matter.

Many of the restaurants in Manama and Gudaibiya have been found flouting the rules regarding the positioning of the gas cylinders. It is also noted that the cylinders were kept horizontally and unshaded, which could result in blasts due to the exposure of the containers to the sun.

As summer is approaching, the departments concerned have called on restaurant owners to adhere to the rules and cooperate so that further accidents may be avoided. 

Speaking to DT News, restaurant owner Majid (name changed) said, “I take extra care when it comes to the positioning of gas cylinders because they are very dangerous though helpful. I have given strict orders to my staff to abide by the laws. I have seen many restaurants keeping the cylinders horizontally or submerged in water to get extra fuel. I think these practices are unsafe and will end up in accidents.”

It is highly recommended to keep the gas cylinders outside the restaurants, instead of keeping them inside the kitchen or cooking vicinity. The restaurants are also advised to replace the plastic gas pipeline with a copper one. This will ensure that they do not get damaged because of the hot and humid weather.

A veteran LPG Cylinder installation expert in Bahrain, who requested anonymity, also spoke on this issue to DT News: “LPG cylinders should always be positioned vertically so that their relief valve is in direct communication with the vapour space of the cylinder. Cylinders that are stored vertically upright will have the relief valve communicating with vapour space. 

“If cylinders are stored improperly, such as horizontally with the relief valve in contact with propane liquid, the liquid will escape instead of vapour, thereby posing a much greater danger. In short, be sure that the relief valve is communicating with the vapour space of the cylinder. Therefore, all LPG cylinders should be stored vertically upright in all circumstances.”

Since the LPG is stored inside the cylinder in liquefied form, placing it horizontally would make the liquid flow nearer to the top part of the cylinder and would make it last a little longer. But it is strictly not advisable to place the cylinder horizontally. 

The gas cylinder has to be stored in a dry and safe surface in the open air. 

If this is not reasonably practical, then it must be stored in a space, which is specifically reserved and has adequate ventilation.