Guideline For Emergency Procedure

BASIC PRECAUTIONS:

  1. Approach the fire or gas leak from upwind direction
  2. Evacuate area in the part of the vapour cloud, elimination all ignition sources immediately
  3. Barricade the area. Keep all people at the premises area completely out of the area and make a distance from the storage area

 

The condition when there is a gas leak without fire:

  1. Shut down the emergency shut off valve, ball valve and raise the alarm
  2. Close any valve available that can stop the gas flow
  3. Keep bystander away
  4. No fire sources shall be available. E.g.: smoking / naked light / engine to be started & other possible sources
  5. Call fire brigade of local fire station
  6. Call gas supplier / gas contractor representative
  7. Use water spray to disperse LPG vapour to safe location. Avoid entering the vapour cloud area and keep low behind the spray so that one will be somewhat protected from radiant heat if the vapour should be ignited unexpectedly
  8. For cylinder, remove them to a safe area where it can leak safely away from ignition sources. Cylinder should be moved carefully to avoid damage to valves and never drag the cylinders
  9. For cylinder, if leakage is at bottom of cylinder, turn the cylinder upright to allow vapour escape.

 

THE CONDITION WHEN THERE IS A GAS LEAK WITH FIRE:

  • Shut down the emergency shut off valve, ball valve and raise alarm
  • Close any valve available that can stop the flow of gas
  • Keep bystander away
  • Call fire brigade of local fire station
  • Call gas supplier / gas contractor representative
  • Isolate power at main switchboard
  • Follow the firefighting instructions
  • Apply large quantity of water to all surfaces exposes to heat. Approach the sides. Stopping the flow of gas should be the first consideration after water cooling is established
  • Using the fire extinguisher to stop the fire if possible and ventilate the area

 

  1. Get to know your installation

Make an effort to locate the different parts of your installation. In particular, locate precisely where you can shut off the gas in the event of an incident.

For apartment units, mark your gas meter (with a unit label for example). This will also prevent you from accidentally cutting off your neighbour’s gas.

 

  1. Keep access to your installation clear

Make sure you can access your meter and boiler effortlessly at any time. Do not hang anything on the valve that can blockage the access and identification.

 

  1. Shut off the gas if you are away for a long time

The gas system with no operation for long period highly recommends to shut off at the incoming supply (at LPG cylinder or shut off the main valve to stop the gas supply). For system with pressure indicator installed (Pressure Gauge), check and marked the reading and it can refer for tightness before continue the operation. If the reading show pressure drop, it means there are the leakage on the system whether on the piping, connection or accessories installed. Identify the leak trough soap test, snoop test and it shall rectify accordingly prior continue the operation. Before operation, check the gas equipment and make sure it properly switched off before reopening the main valve at incoming supply.

 

  1. Inspect The Complete System

Check the physical condition of the gas pipe, accessories, valve or hose to make sure it is free from damage. The flexible hose shall be free from crack and it shall replace every 2 years. The hose shall have approved type and suitable for gas used (Comply to BS 3212 / MS773 / MS2086). For commercial and industrial piping system, it shall inspect at least once every 2 years while for domestic installation shall be inspect at least once every 3 years. This inspection must be carry out by a qualified competence person

 

  1. Maintain The Installation Properly

The gas system shall properly maintain to avoid any potential hazard such explosion or fire. This shall be carry out by a qualified person trough a gas competence advice. The system shall ensure for free leakage, in good condition, safe to use and can work properly. The failure of accessories, fittings and burner shall be replaced accordingly

 

  1. Check the condition of your gas cooker / furnace.

The gas burner shall regular serviced to avoid gas blockage. The sediment trap installed shall be clean to avoid gas blockage and interruption for firing. The increase of the supply pressure does not help on the burner performance unless it shall service the nozzle and clear the blockage accordingly. If your gas cooker is an old model not equipped with a safety system which cuts off the gas supply when the flame goes out, seriously consider replacing it as soon as possible.

 

  1. Check the condition of the gas flue

Regularly check the gas flue and do not blocked with foreign bodies. It shall be serviced regularly.

 

  1. Ventilate your furnace / burner area

The proper ventilation will increase the efficiency of the combustion and will avoid the formation of carbon monoxide (CO). The cooking area / furnace area must be permanently ventilated. This can be done by provide the fresh air intake, exhaust fan or ventilation fan

 

  1. Install the CO & LEL gas detectors

Carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless and causes too many deaths every year. By install CO detector nearby your boiler or water heater is located will alert the user in case CO is high. The usage of LEL detector is also important to detect the concentration gas leakage. The accumulated gas leak in the area will cause explosion when it meets the combustion triangle. The gas detector for natural gas must be installed at highest level and close to the ceiling while for detect the LPG shall be installed closed to the floor. The gas detector shall carry out a functional test or calibrated every six months. Few detectors are design to replace within 2-3 years’ base on the sensor lifespan

 

  1. Do you smell gas?

The gas either LPG or Natural Gas has been added with ethyl- mercaptan for smell detection. This is a strong smell which easily specify for detect a gas leak by human smell. Whenever found smell of gas leak, kindly take a serious action to stop the gas and identify the leakage portion. Contact the nearest gas contractor for further checking and rectification.