We need to raise awareness of the potential safety risks posed by single stage LPG regulators. Please read my article and share
Steve Critchlow MSc FIGEM
Principal Gas Engineer at Health & Safety Executive.
What if I told you there was a safety critical gas fitting installed in thousands of UK homes which can fail to danger, giving risk of elevated pressure gas leaks? And what if I also told you that gas fitting was very inexpensive and was widely purchased and installed by members of the public?
An LPG cylinder contains liquefied gas at nominal pressures of 2 bar (butane) and 7 bar (propane) at 15 oC. These pressures can rise significantly higher in hot weather. Domestic LPG appliances are designed to receive LPG gas at 37 mbars. All that stands between the high pressure gas and the appliance is the humble LPG regulator, a simple device consisting of a spring, a flexible diaphragm and a mechanical linkage. For bulk installation of four cylinders and over the law requires the inclusion of over–pressure protection, but for many small installations a single stage regulator is used with no such safety device. These include single cylinder screw-in or clip-on types, and wall mounted changeover devices for two cylinders.
All things fail with age, and single stage regulators are no exception. The manufacturers and the relevant industry trade body all state these should be changed before they reach 10 years of age. Failure of the regulator allows the high pressure gas to enter downstream pipework and appliances which are not designed to contain gas at those pressures. This can lead to gas leaks or explosive ignitions and fires. I've investigated too many of these.
I’m asking everyone to increase awareness of this issue with homeowners and gas engineers. My personal recommendations are
· Replace any LPG regulator that is approaching 10 years old
· Replace any LPG regulator where the age is uncertain
· Replace any regulator if there is a chance liquid gas has reached the regulator because of cylinder tipping
· When replacing a regulator choose one which incorporates OPSO (over pressure shut off)
Please share this and help prevent anymore injuries and accidents.
Multi Skilled Engineer
4 年Kg/hr supply to the kw requirement would be a common find.
Group Director of Business Development & Marketing Clesse Industries SAS
4 年Thanks for the article, as UK's major supplier of gas regulation into the LPG industry we identified a need for additional safety some years ago and my company supported the considerable investment to develop the first OPSO system with a patented consumer reset system integrated into single stage cylinder regulation which we launched and has been on sale since 2015 in the UK. In response to some of the comments I have read I would like to add that GSIUR L56 Guidence changed in 2018 to strongly recommend installation following pressure from the LPG industry regardless of any amount of cylinders - Guidance No.179. And prior to this the revision of BS6891:2015 Specification for installation and maintenance of low pressure gas installation pipework of up to 35 mm (R11?4) includes LPG also advised that OPSO shall be fitted regardless how LPG is delivered and qty of storage.
Proprietor at Q.provision
4 年Thanks for this Steve, i am now considering changing my system on my narrowboat. At least changing the regulator as it is approaching 10 years old, also then see if i can source one with OPSO.
MD of ICD-Energy Training Academy
4 年Shared
A #SystemSafetyEngineer who helps individuals and organisations explore, pioneer & get fantastic results using the little known #STAMP-based #Safety assessment approaches: #CAST Accident Analysis & #STPA Hazard Analysis
4 年Interesting topic. -What does the Safety Assessment & Risk Assessment for the seller / provider / distributor / manufacturer / designer of these products say? -What (robust?) justification have they got for a design / product that is prone to this failure mode? -What action have they taken to inform the users / operators, distributors & emergency planners & responders? -What does the Insurance industry have to say about this level of latent risk? Sounds to me like the concept of SFAIRP / ALARP and how it has been applied (or inadequately) in this case, needs revisiting & sharply. Thank you for posting Steve Critchlow & for sharing Emma Wilkinson ??????