MAURITIUS FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
FIRE SAFETY DIVISION
LPG
Safety
INTRODUCTION
Commonly used in our everyday lives, LPG cylinders are something most of us wouldn’t be able to cook
without. But these harmless looking cylinders can actually be dangerous
Known to cause horrific mishaps, LPG cylinders can leak and cause severe damage to both your health and
property.
How does a LPG Gas leak occur?
Gas leaks can occur from defective rubber tubing (ones that connect the cylinder’s outlet to our gas stove),
faulty regulator fitting and poor handling of gas appliances. Apart from that leaving the dish you are cooking
unattended can cause the food to spill over, which in turn douses burner of the gas stove and causes gas
leak.
What are the risks associated with an LPG leak?
LPG contains gas, which, under pressure is highly flammable. There could be two main kinds of health
hazards associated with a gas leak:
Hazard 1: Those occurring due to inhalation of the gas
If inhaled, it can displace air, deprive your lungs of oxygen and cause hypoxia leading to suffocation.
Hazard 2: Those occurring due to explosion of the gas if there is a source of ignition
Explosion from LPG can result in serious burns and can cause multiple injuries and even, death. The
explosion may also cause injury from fragments and other objects propelled in air.
MAURITIUS FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
FIRE SAFETY DIVISION
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR LPG GAS LEAKS
A leakage may be detected by smell at the point of escape (e.g at the cylinder valve or joint in the
pipework)
A. LEAKAGE WITHOUT FIRE
Action
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Do not panic
Shut off the gas at the main cylinder valve
Do not turn on any electrical appliances and any electric switches on or off
Ventilate the room or rooms by opening all doors and windows
Extinguish all sources of ignition, e.g flames, lamps, incense sticks etc…
Evacuate everyone from the area to a safe place
IF CLOSING THE MAIN CYLINDER VALVE FAILS TO STOP THE LEAK, call the Mauritius Fire and Rescue
Service by dialing 115, using a telephone away from the danger area, and make sure nobody enters the
affected part
IF CLOSING THE MAIN CYLINDER VALVE STOPS THE LEAK, do not use the appliance again until it has been
examined by a competent person
B. LEAKAGE OF LPG WHICH HAS IGNITED
 Evacuate the premises
 Call the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service by dialing 115 and state that an LPG cylinder is involved
 If possible, but without taking any personal risk extinguish the flame by shutting the cylinder valve,
but, under no circumstances attempt should be made to shut the valve if the cylinder is engaged
in the flame
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS
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Do not have curtains on the window near the gas stove
Always keep the cylinder in upright position in a well-ventilated place
Clamp rubber hose with clips at the regulator and gas stove
Check rubber hose regularly for cracks and change hose before expiry date, printed on the hose.
Check the hose connection from time to time for leakage. Apply soap solution over the suspected
leaks and if gas bubbles form and grow in size it indicates a gas leaks.
 Do not test leak with naked flame
 Check regulator, hose and clips periodically and replace them as soon as they are worn out.
 When changing your gas cylinder ensure there is no naked flame nearby and that the gas stove is
switched off.
REMEMBER, IN CASE OF FIRE, CALL THE MAURITIUS FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE ON
115.