However, rogue operators who cut corners are putting LPG users at risk, by paying no mind to the serious consequences of safety protocols around gas use.
The Liquid Petroleum Gas Safety Association (LPGSA) has issued a warning to all gas users to be on the look-out for rogue operators.
Following a Carte Blanche insert on the dangers lurking in the gas cylinder and refilling industry, Montclair Crime Eye posted the following snippet from the LPG SA website on its Facebook page.
Why should you care where your cylinder comes from?
Under normal circumstances, when an empty cylinder is exchanged via a reputable dealer or company, it is returned to the depot of the owner of that specific cylinder brand, where it is thoroughly checked to ensure its integrity and that it is safe for use. Cylinders filled and distributed by illegal fillers are not checked, which could lead to incidents/accidents.
These cylinders are often overfilled – because the fillers do not use the correct equipment and have not been trained to undertake the operation. An over-filled cylinder could be hazardous if exposed to excessive heat. A properly filled cylinder is only filled to 80% of its capacity, to allow for expansion of the product within the cylinder.
Cylinders are also frequently under-filled – again due to ignorance or lack of training, but often intentionally so. Unsuspecting consumers believe they are getting a ‘good price’, whereas, in reality, they are being cheated.
How do you know your gas cylinder is legal and safe?
- A filled cylinder should always have a seal that is shrink-wrapped around the cylinder valve.
- This seal should always bear the LOGO of the company that owns the cylinder.
- The logo should match the logo on the cylinder itself – the big company names will have a serial number on the shrink-wrap.
- If the cylinder has a seal that is clear or it has no seal at all, it is a strong indication that it has been illegally filled and the consumer should therefore refuse to accept it.
Should LPGas users wish to ensure that they are purchasing products from a reputable dealer, a list is available on the LPGSA website.
Report dodgy fillers or retailers of rogue gas cylinders to this hotline: 080 000 4408; or email lpgasinfo@gmail.com
