A safety alert has today been issued by Calor Gas, warning people of
the dangers of attempting to construct wood burners from liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.
Calor has become aware of a number of websites giving instructions
about how to transform or deconstruct LPG cylinders, for example into
domestic wood burners. Many of these videos or resulting products are
also available online.
According to Calor, a specialist publication recently ran an article
showing readers how to make traditional-looking wood-burning stoves out
of old gas cylinders. Calor said it has written to the magazine, saying:
“We hope your insurance is good.”
LPG cylinders are safe when used correctly, following the
accompanying safety instructions. But LPG is a highly flammable
material. If a welding torch or power cutter is used on an LPG cylinder,
even if it appears to be empty, it can explode violently. As well as
the safety implications of a potential gas explosion, tampering with LPG
cylinders or attempting to change their use is also an unlawful offence
which could result in prosecution.
Earlier this month, the boss of a St Helens gas supply firm was fined
£22,500 for causing an explosion by attempting to remove a valve from
an LPG cylinder. This incident resulted in multiple burns both to
himself and to one of his employees. The HSE inspector said that “in
this case, the fact that no one was killed was simply down to luck".
These irresponsible websites and publications encourage users to put
their lives at risk, through step-by-step guides, and even videos,
demonstrating how to de-construct or convert a cylinder. They have been
repeatedly asked by Calor to remove their directions but have not
complied.
All Calor’s cylinders are the property of Calor Gas, and are supplied
under a refill agreement which contains important safety information.
Calor’s ownership of the cylinders is further emphasised in that they
are embossed with the word ‘CALOR’ on the metal casing, and are
stencilled with ‘Extremely Flammable, Property of and only to be filled
by Calor Gas Ltd, Warwick.’
Further advice on this issue is available on the Calor website on the Calor LPG Safety Website
Dr Terry Ritter, who is safety, health and environment Manager at
Calor, said: "Calor cylinders are used widely, whether at home, for
leisure or at work and their safety record is exemplary. However, we are
seeing an alarming rise in untrained people attempting to cut open
cylinders. Advice on how to create wood burning-stoves is widespread on
the internet. This is not only extremely dangerous, but unlawful. We
urge anybody considering tampering with one of our cylinders not to do
so, because in committing such action, they are putting their own lives
at risk."
No comments:
Post a Comment