Gas safety instructions.

Safety and storage for bottled gas cylinders

Flo Gas have a rigorous cylinder testing policy and maintain high quality standards. The cylinder service charge gives you peace of mind that your cylinder is fully tested and guaranteed. However, incorrect storage, handling and usage of gas must be avoided at all times — please follow the following safety guidelines when using bottled gas cylinders.

• Gas bottles are highly flammable and should be kept away from sources of ignition, hot surfaces and naked flames.
• Bottles should be placed in an upright position to ensure vapour rather than liquid is used.
• Do not keep your gas bottle in a cellar, basement or sunken area.
• Keep your bottle outdoors at all times, on firm, level ground and in a well-ventilated position.
• Bottles must be accessible, should not cause obstructions and must be protected from damage or interference by persons, animals or vehicles.
• Changeover devices and regulators should ideally be located near to the bottles and the flexible connections checked regularly and kept as close as possible.
• Bottles should not be positioned near to windows, doors, airbricks, flues, ducts, drains, gullies or openings to cellars.
• Bottles should also not be located near to any corrosive, toxic or oxidising materials.
• The area around bottles should be kept clear of litter, long grass and other flammable materials.

Basic rules — Do's

• Remember cylinders are heavier than the weight marked on the outside — lift carefully or use a trolley. A full cylinder will weigh about twice the net contents weight shown on it.
• Always keep the valve closed and replace the cap/plug in its outlet connection (even when empty).
• Do transport, store and use cylinders with their valve uppermost.
• Do treat cylinders with care to ensure they and their valves don't get damaged.
• Do keep all cylinders in a safe, well-ventilated place, outdoors, away from escape routes and stairs. The area where cylinders are located outdoors should be kept free from rubbish and excessive build-up of vegetation.
• Do make sure the cylinders are properly secured and are kept upright in use (except where cylinders are designed for liquid offtake — black coloured top/shroud).
• Do keep cylinders and cartridges separate from other flammable and combustible materials and not near to any corrosive, toxic or oxidant material.
• Do return cylinders when empty or no longer required to Angus Gas.

Basic rules — Don'ts

• Don't subject cylinders to excessive heat or position them near to a hot surface/source (e.g. a boiler flue or radiator).
• Don't use butane cylinders in cabinet heaters where gas is prohibited in a building or location.
• Don't use barbeques indoors, even if supplied from butane cylinders.
• Don't store or use cylinders in cellars or below ground level, or adjacent to or over any opening into a cellar.
• Don't obstruct access to cylinders.
• Don't position cylinders adjacent to doors or in passageways.
• Don't smoke or use a mobile phone when changing cylinders.
• Don't allow electrical equipment, vehicles, bonfires, or other potential sources of ignition near the cylinders.
• Don't use cylinders other than for supplying gas — they are the property of Flo Gas.
• Don't try to remove the valve or cut the cylinder. It will still contain a flammable gas which can explode if in contact with an ignition source.
• Don't throw cylinders away — return them to a Flo Gas retailer or stockist.

Storage of LPG in commercial and industrial premises

• LPG cylinders should be stored in accordance with UKLPG Code of Practice No. 7 "Storage of Full and Empty LPG Cylinders and Cartridges". Separation distances vary dependent on the quantities of LPG being stored.
• In the case of fixed installations, Flo Gas cylinders must be sited outside.
• The use of a purpose-built compound or cage is recommended.
• Full and empty cylinders should be segregated.
• LPG cylinders should be segregated from flammable liquids, combustible, oxidising, corrosive, toxic materials and compressed gas cylinders.

Basic procedure in case of fire

• Don't try to put out a fire involving LPG — leave it to the fire brigade. It is safer to evacuate everyone from the area. An overheated cylinder or cartridge may explode.
• Dial 999 to call the Fire Brigade, tell them LPG cylinders are involved.
• Tell everybody to leave the premises/area and go to a safe place well away from the installation/cylinders. If you have a fire alarm, activate it.
• A fire involving grass, rubbish, etc, can be tackled with a fire extinguisher or hose reel if it is safe to do so. Always call the fire brigade first. If the fire is near the cylinders or pipework, or if you can't put it out quickly — leave it.
• In any emergency situation, it is of paramount importance to avoid endangering human life.
• Always approach a fire or leak from upwind. Do not attempt to extinguish a flame unless it is safe to do so.
• Keep all persons, except those necessary to deal with the emergency, at least 60 metres away from the danger area.

Leak of LPG without fire

• If it is safe to do so, turn off all appliances and attempt to stop the leak by closing the valve where possible and replacing the plug or cap.
• If the leak cannot be stopped, the cylinder should be carefully removed to a well-ventilated open space clear of drains, buildings and sources of ignition. It should be marked faulty and left with the leak (usually at the valve) uppermost. General access should be prevented (e.g. by temporary barriers). Call us immediately.
• If the leak is indoors, open all the doors and windows. Do not switch any lights or electrical equipment on or off — this may cause a spark. Do not smoke.
• If you have a leaking cylinder indoors and it is safe to move the cylinder outdoors, move it to a well-ventilated location where the leaking gas cannot find its way into a building, basement, cellar or drain.
• In no circumstances should anyone attempt to dismantle or repair defective cylinder valves.

Frequently asked safety questions

First aid information