LPG Safety

At AAA Comet Gas, your safety is our top priority. While LPG is a safe and efficient energy source when handled correctly, it’s important to know how to detect leaks and respond safely in the unlikely event of an emergency.

On this page, you’ll find important tips for recognising a gas leak, what to do if you suspect a leak, and essential guidelines to keep your home or business safe.

LPG is an odourless and colourless gas. An odourant called Ethyl Mercaptan is added to the gas tanks to help detect any leaks.

If you’re worried that your gas is leaking please check the following things:

  1. Ensure no burners on your cooktop have accidently turned on.
  2. If any of your appliances have a pilot light, ensure it has not gone out.
  3. The connection of your gas bottle and gas appliances – You can apply a mixture of soap (detergent) and water to the gas connections and pipes. If you see bubbles forming, it indicates a gas leak.
  4. Pay attention for any hissing or whistling sounds near gas lines or appliances. This can indicate gas escaping.

Gas Leak – No Fire

  1. Evacuate immediate area.
  2. Keep bystanders and ignition sources at least 20 metres away.
  3. If leak cannot be stopped & safe to do so, turn of cylinder valve and remove the cylinder carefully to a safe outdoor location and ensure it remains in an upright position. Do not tilt or drop the cylinder, allowing liquid to escape.
  4. Disperse gas with fine water spray.
  5. If the LPG container cannot be removed, continue to disperse leaking gas with a fine water spray until empty.
  6. If necessary call the Fire Brigade.

Gas Leak – With Fire

  1. Evacuate immediate area.
  2. Call the Fire Brigade, advise LPG leak and give container type and size.
  3. Shut off gas supply if safe to do so.
  4. IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, LEAVE THE GAS TO BURN AND COOL WITH WATER FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. Unless the fire impinges on the LPG container or threatens to cause property damage, do not extinguish burning gas.
  5. LPG containers are fitted with safety relief valves which may allow a discharge of LPG when the LPG container is subject to heat. If possible, fix a fine water spray and leave the area.
  6. If heating of LPG cylinder is intense, the container may rupture. Do not approach an LPG container suspected of being hot.
  7. Where possible, remove unaffected LPG container from path of the fire and keep LPG container cool.
  8. Never use an LPG container which has been involved in a fire situation.
Safety is our top priority, so take these steps seriously!

LPG Safety compliance is crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring safe operation. LPG Gas Bottles have rules and regulations for safe storing at your premisses. Please see below some key rules and regulations to ensure your premisses meet the safety standard to hold LPG Gas Bottles.

  • No Ignition sources – Gas should always be kept a minimum distance away from ignition sources. In an unlikely event of a gas leak this will reduce the risk of a fire. Examples of potential ignition sources include but not limited; powerpoints, AC units, pool pumps, power switch etc.
  • Ventilation – Gas cylinders need proper ventilation to ensure that any gas that may escape can dissipate safely into the atmosphere. Storage under stairways, buildings, alcoves or underground are usually not suitable
  • No openings – As LPG is heavier than air there is to be no openings within a minimum distance from the cylinders.
  • Storage – To prevent leaks or damage, LPG gas cylinders must be restrained with a safety chain or stored inside a heavy-duty cage. Gas bottles must be places on a solid base made of fireproof material (concrete or pavers etc) and kept upright at all times.

Exchange

Tanker refill

When your LPG installation is completed, your license gas fitter must issue you with compliance documentation which includes a compliance certificate and a compliance plate fitted to your wall above your gas regulator. This ensures that the installation meets safety standards and regulations.

Compliance rules and regulations are regularly reviewed and the appropriate standards can change. If your gas supplier or a gas fitter says there’s a compliance problem you will be required to meet the current standards. If it’s a problem with your LPG bottles, than your gas provider will repair the issue. If there is a problem with anything else like the pipework, regulator or anything else that may be causing your site to be uncompliant you will need to take the appropriate actions to get this fixed.