MANILA, Philippines – Records of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the LPG Industry Association (LPGIA) showed that five out of 10 tanks of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the market are defective and substandard.
This poses a risk to the public because exploding cooking gas tanks is the second leading cause of fires in the country, said Mercedita Pastrana, LPGIA executive director.
She said half or three million of the six million LPG tanks need repairs while the remaining half were dilapidated and should be discarded.
“The characteristics of unsafe LPG cylinders or tanks are leaking valves, with dents, rusty and improper painting. The public should also check the corroded footing and bottom cup,” said Pastrana in a forum hosted by Total Gas yesterday.
She said that branded LPG costs from P30 to P40 higher than tanks that have no brand, which poses a greater risk to the public.
BFP officials said faulty electrical equipment and leaking LPG tanks were among the top causes of fires.
Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna, director of the BFP-National Capital Region, said the most common causes of LPG-induced fires in homes and establishments are defective hoses, incorrect installation of the pressure regulators, and cylinder valves that were left open.
Laguna said that defective LPG tanks and improper installation of hoses and regulators could cause leakage of LPG vapor, which could accumulate in enclosed and low-lying areas.
He said explosion occurs when the gas is ignited by an open flame from the stove, lighted cigarette or electrical system like electric bulb, switch, and electric motor.
Authorities gave a seven-point safety checklist for LPG users:
• Buy LPG tanks from legitimate dealers or authorized LPG dealers only; and always check that the security seal is firmly affixed on the valve.
• Place the LPG cylinder in a well-ventilated area, away from sources of ignition.
• Use the correct regulator and check its condition regularly.
• Attach the regulator and ensure that it is securely connected to the cylinder valve.
• Use the correct hose and check its condition regularly.
• Use metal clamps to attach the hose to the regulator and appliance.
• Ensure that the stove burner produces a blue flame. –Cecile Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star)
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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