The expert in emergency response, Fire Colonel Rafael Javier Bueno, recommends that the population take a series of measures to avoid dangerous situations with the use of cylinders. propane gas in homes, businesses or anywhere else.
The former chief of the Fire Department of Santo Domingo Este said that the first thing is the prevention and, among them, mentions that when buying a gas cylinder, the expiration date must be verified, which in some cases is five and 10 years and recommends that, even if the tank looks good, it must be changed once its useful life has expired.
“When the useful life of that cylinder expires, it must be discarded immediately, even if it is new, because it is a cylinder closed with welding and has been subjected to internal pressure during that period and if the manufacturer says that this is the expiration date then you have to abide by it”Former Fire Chief SDE
He argued that you have to make sure you have original regulators, as well as quality valves that have certifications for the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and the installation of the gas conduction system such as hoses or pipes, as well as clamps and other accessories.
stove maintenance
You also have to maintain the stove, clean it and adjust it so that there is combustion, prevent mice from entering or eating the plastic or rubber pipes, as many people have.
The gas tank must be outside the house, in a cool place, not outdoors and when filling the gas tank gas should not be 100%, a maximum of 85% and gave the example that a 100-pound tank is only supplied with 20 gallons, a 50-pound tank, 10 gallons, and a 25-pound tank, only five gallons so that if the sun hits the cylinder it does not affect because the gas is increased by temperature.
Another recommendation from Colonel Javier Bueno is to close the gas tank when you leave the house and more so if it is for several days.
When you smell gas
The also former president of the National Union of Firefighters said that when you feel the smell of gas both in the home and in the vehicles, you must act immediately closing the cylinder.
“The right thing to do is leave the house and if you are going to open an iron door, do it very carefully so that the friction of the metals does not generate sparks, and even cover the latch with cloth so that the ignition source does not start”, Indian.
Similarly, it recommends not turning on the light bulbs to prevent the contact between the positive and negative cables from coming together and generating sparks. It also suggests that before the smell of gas in a closed space, open the doors and windows to disperse the fuel.
“There is going to be a minimum deflagration inside the house and it is something similar to when you place the match near the stove, but in greater proportions, then a strong smell of gas, you do not have to light anything or connect anything, what you have to do is do is get out of the house and call the fire department,” adduced.
When the firefighters arrive, they will probably spray water to break the flammability range and lower the breakers, ventilate and dilute the gas, a technical operation that will be carried out by experts in combating this type of situation.
