Gas cylinder explosions appear to be a new type of danger in the country due to the lack of training in handling the cylinders, and adoption of proper safety measures as well.
Meanwhile, one of 35 people died in the Gazipur cylinder explosion incident, succumbed to his injuries on Friday.
According to the Fire Service and Civil Defense, the number of gas cylinder explosions in the country was reported at 894 in 2021. At least 210 gas cylinder explosion incidents occurred in 2023 causing at least 4 deaths, and 23 casualties.
Experts say that these accidents are mainly caused by gas leakage. Gas leakage occurs due to malfunction of important parts like cylinder hose pipe, regulator, gas valve. Gas comes out from that leakage and accumulates somewhere outside. Contact with the slightest fire, even a spark, can cause a massive explosion.
On March 13, 35 people were injured in a gas cylinder explosion in a colony next to Konabari Top Star Garments Factory of Gazipur City Corporation. On March 7 of this year, one person was killed and at least 15 injured in a gas cylinder explosion in Mosharraf Mia Bazar area of Chattogram's Banshkhali Upazila. On February 2, 2023, two children, including a child, were killed in an explosion of an LP gas cylinder used in a house in Naljani and Itahata areas of Gazipur.
The majority of gas cylinder explosions, according to Debashish Vardhan, retired Deputy Director of Fire Service and Civil Defence (Operation and Maintenance), are caused by the use of defective parts, especially faulty gas valves, regulators, and inferior hose pipes. In order to avoid this kind of mishaps, he highlights the necessity of increasing awareness among cylinder manufacturers and users alike.
Vardhan lists neighboring nations where cylinder gas is widely used for home purposes, but there strict quality control procedures and increased user awareness have made incidents like explosions rare. He emphasizes how crucial it is to replicate comparable awareness and quality control measures in India in order to reduce the likelihood of gas cylinder mishaps.
A representative of the fire safety services company Reliant Energy & Safety Technology Ltd told the Bangladesh Post that gas cylinder safety measures include several safety precautions to guarantee the secure handling, storing, and application of compressed gases. These safety
measures include handling cylinders properly, using the appropriate equipment, such as cylinder carts, and ensuring that they are stored upright, in well-ventilated spaces, with valve protection caps on.
Md Shahjahan Shikder, Senior Staff Officer, Media Cell, Directorate of Fire Service and Civil Defence, told the Bangladesh Post that it is critical to use appropriate regulators and equipment, as well as to accurately label cylinders with information on the hazards and contents of the gas. Other crucial elements include routine leak detection, fire safety procedures, and giving necessary training to users who handle cylinders. By following these guidelines, the risks related to handling gas cylinders can be significantly reduced, enhancing environmental and public safety.
Fire service officials are blaming the Explosives Inspectorate for series of gas cylinder explosions. They claim that a gas cylinder should be used for at least 20 years. But as per rules, the regulator and valve have to be changed often during this period. Both these parts basically play an important role in preventing gas leakage.
But in most cases leakage occurs due to the use of substandard regulators and valves in the country's cylinders. But the Explosives Directorate is responsible for testing the quality of cylinders and spares used in it. But the quality of these gas cylinders is not properly checked. And on this occasion, substandard gas cylinders and parts used in them are spreading in the market.
Currently more than 60 lakh consumers use LPG cylinders in the country. A large number of these customers are from rural areas. At the moment, a total of 30 companies, both public and private, have at least two crore cylinders in the market. But no approved testing centre has been set up to test the quality of these cylinders.
LPG cylinders are being sold everywhere defying the rules and regulations. Although there is no provision to sell without approval, flammable materials including LP gas cylinder bottles are being sold freely. According to reports in different parts of the country, these gas cylinders are being sold freely in grocery shops, tea shops, betel leaf-cigarette shops, fertilizer shops, residential buildings, wood shops, and medicine shops.
Sources said, the Explosives Department has investigated several gas cylinder explosions in recent years. But, it has failed to reduce yet the fatal incidents and to prepare a master plan for prevention.
