LPG: Safe Handling and Storage

A Practical Guide for Every Home and Business

There is a good reason why Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has become such an important part of our daily lives. From the family preparing breakfast in the morning to restaurants serving hundreds of customers, LPG provides a convenient, efficient and relatively clean-burning source of energy.

But there is another side to this convenience.

LPG is highly flammable.

While LPG itself is not something we should fear, it is something we must respect.

Most LPG incidents do not begin with a dramatic failure. They can begin with something seemingly small—a loose connection, a damaged hose, poor ventilation, an unstable cylinder or a cooker left unattended.

The good news is that many of these incidents are preventable.

Understanding the Gas

LPG generally consists of a mixture of both propane and butane. It is stored under pressure as a liquid and becomes a gas when released.

One characteristic that makes LPG particularly a concern: LPG vapour is heavier than air. When released, it can accumulate in low-lying or poorly ventilated areas. If the gas encounters a flame, spark or other source of heat, the consequences can be severe.

This is why LPG safety begins with one simple principle:

Control the gas. Control the ignition. Control the environment.

Simple Rules That Can Save a Life

1. Give Your Cylinder Room to Breathe

Avoid storing cylinders in enclosed spaces where leaking gas could accumulate. Always keep LPG cylinders in a well-ventilated area. Remember: ventilation is not a luxury—it is a safety control.

2. Keep LPG Cool

Never deliberately expose an LPG cylinder to excessive heat, open flames and combustible materials. The cylinder may look strong, but it is still a pressure vessel. Treat it accordingly.

3. Never Connect or Disconnect Near a Flame

Changing an LPG cylinder is a routine activity, but routine does not mean risk-free. Before connecting or disconnecting a cylinder:

Switch off the cooker. Eliminate ignition sources. Then work safely.

Not even the evening soft candle should be present.

4. Keep the Cylinder Upright

Do not place LPG cylinder horizontally or where it can easily fall over. It should always remain upright and stable. A cylinder should also be positioned to protect it from unnecessary impact or physical damage.

5. Use a Suitable Platform

Where a platform is provided, it should be stable, level, non-combustible and suitable for supporting the cylinder.The objective is to protect the cylinder from water, corrosion and physical damage while maintaining adequate ventilation and stability.

A cylinder should never be balanced on an improvised or unstable surface.

6. Switch Off After Cooking

Cooking should never end with simply walking away from the cooker.Make switching off the LPG supply part of your routine.

Cook → Switch Off → Check → Leave Safely.

7. Inspect the Hose and Connections

Check for: Loose connections, Cracked or damaged hoses, Deteriorated rubber tubing, Kinks or abnormal bends, Damaged regulators, Signs of leakage and Unusual LPG smell.

Never ignore a suspected leak. If you identify a defect, stop using the appliance and seek assistance from a competent and appropriately licensed LPG professional.

8. Replace Defective Equipment

A damaged hose is not something to "manage until next month." A faulty regulator is not something to repair with tape. A damaged valve is not something to ignore.

Defective LPG equipment should be replaced immediately.

Never improvise repairs using wire, tape, unsuitable fittings or other makeshift solutions.

9. Keep Combustible Materials Away

A small flame can become a large fire when combustible materials are nearby. Good housekeeping is therefore an important LPG safety control. Curtains, paper, clothing, cartons, plastics, cooking oil and other combustible materials should be kept away from LPG appliances.

10. Never Leave a Cooker Unattended

Do not leave an LPG cooker operating without supervision.

If you leave the cooking area, switch it off.

A pot can boil over and extinguish the flame while gas continues to escape. Cooking oil can overheat. Children or other people may accidentally interfere with the appliance.

The smell of LPG.

The characteristic smell is added to LPG to help users detect leaks.

If you smell LPG, do not investigate by creating another hazard.

STOP — DO NOT IGNITE — MOVE AWAY — REPORT.

Do not:

• Light a match.

• Smoke.

• Operate electrical switches.

• Create sparks.

• Use electrical appliances unnecessarily.

Move away from the affected area and seek assistance from competent personnel.

A Final Message to Every LPG User

At Galana Energies Limited, we believe that safety is not simply a procedure—it is a responsibility we carry into every home, every workplace and every community.

LPG should make our lives easier, not put them at risk. So, let us use it wisely.

Safety begins with what we do before an incident happens.