Emirates Gas advises customers on correct LPG Cylinder usage

Emgas, the UAE pioneer of LP Gas bottling and distribution, has issued a series of tips for LP Gas Cylinder customers on correct procedure because of an increase in unsafe cylinders currently in the market.

Due to the temporary closure of several gas bottling companies in Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, an influx of cylinders for retesting and maintenance have been sent to Emgas. In the rigorous testing procedures by Emgas it was noted that many of the received cylinders came from bottling plants that were not following the stringent procedures.

Yusr Sultan, Chief Executive, Shipping, terminalling & LPG, said: "Consumers need to be aware of the UAE regulations with regards to cylinder usage. Through Emgas we are proud to take the lead in working with the Civil Defence authorities to ensure customers are adequately informed about safety procedures."

Resulting in cause for concern, Emgas found that customers had been using cylinders that were unsafe and over 15 years old, the age at which cylinders are withdrawn from the service period.

In the interest of public safety and convenience to customers, Emgas has taken over retesting, maintenance and replacement of such cylinders in these markets, incurring additional expenditure to ensure the safe use of cylinders in the Emirates.

As per the UAE regulations, all cylinders are required to be inspected at the time of filling, pressure tested at five year intervals and withdrawn from circulation at the end of 15 years. Since many of the bottling plants were not following these procedures, Emgas has taken up the matter with the authorities to halt these violations so that the public are not placed in danger.

With the cooperation of the Civil Defence authorities, Emgas has been destroying hundreds of cylinders seized by the Civil Defence in various inspections. Cautioning the public to be aware of the facts, Emgas has advised its customers to procure cylinders from authorised distributors only and be aware that cylinders need to be checked as per their guidelines to ensure uninterupted supplies and safety in the usage of LPG.

Emgas has also deferred its price revision during the holy month of Ramadan in spite of product prices increasing steeply in the international market. The price of LPG has gone up by over 35% since the last price revision in September' 04 and is at record levels.

Emgas has bottling plants in the emirates of Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain with a distributor base of over 125 distributors and is the leading supplier of LPG, Propane and EGAP (Emirates Gas Aerosol Propellant) in bulk to major industries and commercial establishments in the UAE for over 30 years.