Calor LPG supply

LPG Bulk Tank Health & Safety Information

Emergency Procedures

Safety procedures needn't be a concern. Our technical specialists can come to your home and show you where to put the tank in order to meet with all health and safety requirements. However, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the following points, in case of emergency.

Leaking of LPG Without Fire

  • If escaping gas is not on fire, close any valve which will stop or reduce the flow of gas. Small lines such as copper tubing may be flattened to stop the flow. If a bulk storage tank or a road vehicle is involved in an accident consult the plant operator or driver (as the case may be) regarding the possibilities of shutting off the supply or leakage.

  • Where LPG vapour or liquid is escaping and has not been ignited, it is not, except under certain conditions, a good policy to ignite it. There is no way of telling how far, or exactly where, the gas vapour has travelled.

  • It is vitally important that all sources of ignition are eliminated as soon as possible to prevent ignition of the gas vapour.

  • Where an accumulation of gas vapour is suspected, dispersal of the gas may be achieved in a confined space such as a building, by ventilation at ground level or by purging with an inert gas or water spray. Where large concentrations of gas vapour have accumulated in the open air as from bulk tanks, bulk road tankers or containers carrying vehicles, the gas vapour may be broken up and dispersed by the use of water fog. This should be used as quickly as possible, directing the water fog across the normal gas vapour path and dispersing it into a safe location. Persons handling the hose should keep low behind the fog so that they may be protected to some degree from radiant heat should the gas become unexpectedly ignited.

  • It may be desirable to remove a container or tank to some isolated site so that it may leak safely without fear of ignition. Do this carefully and with the vessel in the upright position – never drag it in a manner likely to damage the valve or piping.

Leakage of LPG Which is on Fire

  • If a leakage of LPG is on fire the action will depend on the circumstances but the first consideration must be to stopping the leakage or the shutting off of the gas supply.

  • Extinguishing an LPG fire without the means of stopping the leakage or shutting off the gas supply may lead to a more dangerous situation.

  • A small fire from a container may be smothered by a wet cloth or dry powder extinguisher and then it may be possible to stop the leak and remove the cylinder to a safe location.

  • If the gas is escaping in large quantities and has been ignited, immediately apply large quantities of water to all surfaces in the form of a jet, spray or fog. Static bulk tanks and bulk road tankers should be approached from the sides of the vessels, not from the ends. Concentrate on piping and surfaces of containers or tanks exposed to radiant or direct heat.

  • If the only valve which can be used to stop the flow of gas is involved in the fire, consider the possibility of effecting the shut-off by approaching the valve behind a water spray. This approach should be made at right angles to the flame and the spray used to reduce the intensity of the flame but not to extinguish it.

  • Controlled burning of escaping LPG (which cannot be shut-off by closing a valve) together with the application of sufficient water to keep the vessel and pipework cool will allow the fire to consume the contents of the container or tank, without danger of causing failure.

  • In the absence of sufficient water to keep that part of the metal surface of the vessel adjacent to the vapour space cool, extreme radiant heat or direct flame impingement will cause the vessel to rupture and create what is commonly called a BLEVE.

Serious Exposure of LPG Equipment to Fire

  • Any fire must be controlled and in event of LPG equipment being seriously exposed to heat it is of vital importance to keep the container or tank cool with water to avoid unnecessary release of gas.

  • Should a static bulk tank or bulk road tanker, fitted with a pressure relief valve, be exposed to heat to the point of the relief valve functioning, the discharge should, except under certain conditions, be allowed to burn if it becomes ignited and at the same time the vessel should be kept cool with large quantities of water.

  • Portable LPG cylinders should be removed to a safe location.