4 Safety Tips to Follow While Using Industrial LPG

More and more organizations in the industrial sector are using LPG for their heating, as well as cooking needs. This is a high energy fuel, which is also extremely flammable. It is essential to maintain proper safety while using this type of gas. This is due to the fact that lack of knowledge about LPG safety can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, gas leaks and even deadly explosions. If you are the owner of an industrial unit who is using Industrial LPG, these are the 4 main safety tips that you should keep in mind while using this fuel.

Go for a registered company

You should always make sure that LPG is being provided by a registered company. Whether the installation, delivery or maintenance, everything should be according to proper safety standards existing in place. While setting up any gas device which makes use of LPG, you should get in touch with a registered installer. A certified installer would provide you with a certificate of conformity when it finishes the installation with success. The certificate would verify that the gas device was set up as per SABS standards.

Consider the qualifications

Not every installer can be found to possess similar qualifications. This is why, it is better to ask for a SAQCC Gas ID card – something that is issued to every registered installer. You can request to see this card and check the unique license or registration number online to ensure that the installer is not a dubious one. The back of this card contains this number, and can help you to know whether or not the agency is a registered installer of Propane in India and qualified properly for the setup process.

Be calm during a gas leak

In case of a gas leak, you can smell the leakage and remain as calm as possible. You should also advise others to maintain their composure. Put off any smoking items or flames in the surroundings. Unless this is done, there can be fires and even explosions from a source of ignition. If you can do it safely, you should turn off the cylinder valve of your LPG appliance. These devices have standard valves and you should turn these in a clockwise fashion in order to shut them off. Once this is done, you should leave the place and get in touch with the fire department. Wait for the firemen to arrive in a safe place, away from the possible source of gas leak.

Install CO sensors

It is also important for you to set up carbon monoxide sensors in the industrial unit. All areas of the compound should be fitted with these sensors, so that any leakage can easily be sensed and you can be warned of the same. It is essentially a good idea to set these up near to kitchens and other places where LPG gas appliances are mainly used. Such types of machines notify an increase in the quantity of carbon monoxide in the surrounding air through sound alarms. In case of a leak, such affordable machines can be life-savers for you and your staffs.

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Non Domestic LPG – A Guide About Tank Sizes

LPG is Liquefied petroleum gas, a by-product that is obtained from refining of crude oil. At one time, it was burnt at the refineries in flame stacks. Today, it is being widely used as a standalone fuel for heating, cooking and various other purposes. Non Domestic LPG can be found to be used in agricultural sectors, power generation, industrial units, transportation, refrigeration, civil engineering, construction and many commercial sectors. All through the world, the demand for this fuel is increasing as it is rich in energy, smoke-free and economical in cost. LPG tanks are available in many varied sizes and are listed in gallons and pounds, which is something to know about.

16-Ounce Tanks

Such types of canisters are small and can easily be transported. These can be bought from camping stores and many other stores. These are 1 pound canisters which have been created for use in lanterns, portable camping stoves and other small appliances. These do not come with valves of their own, and can easily be connected to different appliances – generally with the help of a threaded fitting.

20 - 40 Pound Tanks

These tanks are small, with their size ranging between 20 and 40 pounds. These are designed mainly to be used on barbecue grills and various large but portable cooking and camping appliances. You can also hook these to RVs. While 20-pound tanks are able to contain about 4 gallons, 30-gallon tanks can contain 7 gallons and the 40-pound ones can have 10 gallons. The commonest of larger tanks, these can sustain for 8 – 40 hours – based on the BTU output of the grill that is used as well as the total no. of burners.

60 - 100 Pound Tanks

As compared to the 20 – 40 pound tanks, these are quite taller in size and shape. These tanks, along with the gas, have a maximum combined weight of 170 pounds when they are filled up. A 60-pound propane tank generally holds around 15 gallons whereas 100-pound tanks can contain 25 gallons. The BTU output of these tanks can be higher than 2 million. Such tanks, other than for heating and cooking purposes, can also be used to provide fuel for acetylene torches and other similar tools.

Large Commercial and Residential Tanks

These are the largest in size, and are designed to supply fuel all the time to commercial as well as residential buildings. These are used to safely supply Propane and Butane in India. For homes, these are able to hold anywhere between 250 and 3,000 gallons of propane. For commercial usage, these may have as much as 30,000 gallons. These can look like gas and oil cars on freight trains. Frequently, these have to set up by professionals and transported by vehicles. The total amount of period for which propane can last within these tanks can differ on the basis of the insulation and the size of a building. Generally, the gas can be contained inside the tanks anywhere between 5 weeks to 5 months.

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Benefits that Make LPG Cylinders Better Cookers than Butane Cylinders

Both LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and Butane (Methylethylmethane) stoves are readily available in the market for cooking purposes. In many countries, various types of fuel are being used for cooking – whether in industrial or in residential areas. But Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders are often being recommended as a better option for cooking over Methylethylmethane cylinders. If you are curious to know how and why this is said, read on and find out for yourself.

LP Cylinders are designed for indoor cooking

It is a fact that portable Methylethylmethane cylinders are only designed to be used in outdoor environments. When you are using them for camping, hiking and other outdoor trips, they can be perfect. However, they are not designed for cooking in indoor situations unlike LP cylinders. Naturally, the use of Methylethylmethane cylinders at home can result in accidental explosions. With LP cylinders, such issues do not occur unless these are kept very close to a heat source.

LP stoves can last for a longer time

A standard Methylethylmethane stove can be good enough only for three uses. In comparison, however, LP cylinders can last for a longer while. You can expect a standard stove running on Liquefied Petroleum Gas to run for a month or even more. This makes it better for homemakers who need a fuel source that can last for a longer while, and can be used at any time when the need for cooking arises.

LP cylinders are stronger in construction

There is no strong pressure relief valve in butane in India gas canisters. Its valve is constructed only out of plastic. In contrast, however, the valve of an LP cylinder is constructed out of a stronger material. Gas canisters that contain are mostly constructed out of tin. Unlike cylinders containing LP, these have their joints soldered. LP cylinders have welded joints, which makes them stronger.

LP cylinders are more portable

When compared to Methylethylmethane stoves, LPG in India is found to be more portable. Even in faraway villages and other remote locations, LP can be supplied and refilled into cylinders very easily where there is unavailability of gas supplies. Methylethylmethane is a little toxic, when compared to LP which is completely clean and does not lead to any contamination of air. LP does not pollute the air in any way, and also leads to lower emission of CO2.

LP cylinders can be used in higher altitudes

Even in higher altitudes and places with very cold weather conditions, LP stoves can easily be used. At freezing temperatures, Methylethylmethane does not burn well. In places with minus temperature, it fails to burn at all given the fact that it does not stay as a liquid at such temperature conditions.

However, if you have short-term use for a fuel cylinder – especially in outdoor environment – it is better to go for Methylethylmethane cylinders. These are cheaper than LP cylinders and can easily be taken on long-distance trips. But if you need a fuel cylinder for indoor use, LP cylinders will be the best option for you. 

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