While gas appliances provide users with an affordable alternative to electrically powered appliances, they need to be properly taken care of to ensure everyone’s safety. In fact, apart from ensuring that when you buy your gas appliances, they come with the right safety features and they’re installed by professionals, there are some other safety checks you should periodically execute at home.
The Regulator
One of the main things you should check periodically is your LPG cylinder’s regulator. Make sure to replace it if it shows signs of wear and tear or if it no longer properly fits with the cylinder. Additionally, every time you change the gas cylinder make sure you check for leaks. These regulators should be replaced after 10 years. When you operate a regulator make sure to always follow the written indications provided by the manufacturer on the operating instructions sheet.
The Hoses
Another element that needs attention is the flexible hose that is used to transfer the gas from the LPG cylinder/regulator to your gas appliance. Make sure that you only make use of certified hoses that bear the year of manufacture and name of the manufacturer. Ensure that the hose length is kept as short as possible and that it is secured with proper hose clips. As soon as the hose expires (5 years after from manufacturing date), ensure that it is replaced. Replacement should be done as well if the hose shows signs of wear and tear, cracking or damage. Additionally, it is important that you never make use of a naked flame to search for leaks.
Dos and Don’ts to ensure safe usage of your LPG cylinder and gas appliance
Now that you know what to look out for to ensure that your regulator and hose are working well, let’s look at some other important things to do, or avoid doing in order to ensure safe usage of your gas equipment.
When using your LPG cylinder you should ensure that…
- You take care of the cylinder and the valve to ensure that they are not damaged.
- You use the cylinder in the upright position.
- You read the instructions that come along with the appliance and place them somewhere safe for future reference.
- You keep your appliance clean and have it serviced regularly by a qualified person.
- You place the appliance in a space where there’s an adequate supply of fresh air. If it’s indoors, ideally make sure that the room where the appliance is located has a window (always seek advice from an authorised retailer or installer as there are restrictions on the installation of some types of appliances i.e. in bedrooms and bathrooms).
- You replace empty cylinders to full ones outdoors. If you end up needing to replace cylinders indoors take extra care and make sure that the appliance is switched off and that it has cooled down by the time you come to carry out the replacement.
- You check that the regulator is connected properly and that there is no gas leakage.
- You return cylinders to your supplier when empty or when not in use for long periods.
In the meantime, there are several things that you should not do to ensure safe usage of your LPG cylinder…
- You should not expose the cylinder to direct heat from flame.
- You should not attempt to disconnect a clip-on from any cylinder if the flame does not go out when the regulator is turned off.
- You should not store or use cylinders in rooms, below ground level . LPG is heavier than air and if there is a leak gas will accumulate at a low level and may become dangerous in presence of a flame or spark.
- You should not attempt to force a regulator of one size on to a cylinder’s valve of another size. In case of difficulty, contact your authorised retailer/installer and have the appliance checked.
- You should not modify your gas appliance. Make sure to ask your gas retailer for advice and do not let unqualified people tamper with or service your appliance.
- You should not obstruct access to cylinders.
Make sure to check out our upcoming blogs for more information on the safest way to install and take care of gas appliances!
