CEBU CITY, September 12 (PIA) — The Department of Energy (DOE) has warned household consumers to be wary of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) anti-leakage devices that are being sold house-to-house.
Besides the lack of proof that anti-leakage devices actually prevent LPG leaks, using this device in households may encourage consumers to disregard basic safety practices, said DOE – Visayas Lighting and Appliance Testing Division Officer-in-Charge Engr. Jose Rey Maleza during a breakout session of the Energy Investment Forum and Stakeholders Conference in Cebu City recently.
Maleza explained that the anti-leak device is a mechanically operated gadget technically termed as “excess flow limiter.”
A steel ball automatically blocks off the passage of gas by 40 percent to 50 percent of the normal flow when there is a sudden surge through the regulator.
However, this does not work when there are pinholes and small cracks on the LPG hose, warned Maleza.
Meanwhile, DOE also warned the public against using LPG-refilled butane canisters.
The disposable canisters are made for one-time use only and are not intended to be refilled, said Maleza.
LPG varies from butane in terms of pressure, and butane canisters refilled with LPG have higher chances of leaking and exploding.
According to DOE, at least six fire incidents caused by explosions of LPG-refilled canisters have been reported in the Visayas and Mindanao since 2015.
The only containers allowed to hold LPG are the Transportable and Refillable Welded Steel Cylinders for LPG (PNS 03:2014) and the Refillable Composite Gas Cylinders and Tubes (PNS ISO 11119-3:2014).
The E-Power Mo Energy Investment Forum and Stakeholders Conference highlighted the department’s energy programs, opportunities, development plans and policies, financing, and best practices. (asv/PIA7-Cebu)
