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.
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