The LPGSA advises South African consumers who are preparing to stay warm during the coming cold months to consult registered professionals to assist with the correct installation and maintenance of their LPGas appliances and to ensure that legally filled cylinders are in use at all times.
If you make use of LPGas appliances to heat your home during winter months, such as roll-about heaters, patio heaters, water heaters, fireplaces, etc. the following tips will ensure that you are able to use your appliance safely and effectively this winter.
- Always consult the manual that came with the appliance for specific safety tips.
- Check your appliances regularly for deterioration in performance, signs of corrosion, and minor leaks, and keep LPGas appliances and fittings in good condition via regular servicing.
- Ensure that the LPGas appliance that you have purchased has been manufactured as per the safety standards set out by SABS. All LPG appliance permits can be checked on the Safe Appliance database by entering the appliance’s model number.
- LPGas appliances should only be serviced and installed by licensed LPGas installers, such as Bugs & Sparks. A registered LPG installer will have an SAQCC Gas registered license card. It details the installer’s scope as well as the expiry date of the license. To check if your installer’s registration is up to date, you can insert their details in the text box on the SAQCC Gas website.
- Ensure you have a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for your gas water heater. Once a registered installer has completed installing a gas geyser, he/she must sign and hand over the COC to the homeowner.
- Make sure that the area in which you use your LPGas appliance is well-ventilated.
- Do not detach cylinders, regulators, or any connections while the LPGas appliance is in use.
- Do not leave appliances unattended while in use.
- Ensure that the gas supply is turned off at the cylinder after use and while the appliance is unattended.
- When exchanging your empty cylinder for a filled one, make sure that your replacement cylinder has been legally and safely filled by checking that there is a shrink wrap seal covering the cylinder valve. A strong indicator that the cylinder may have been illegally filled, is if there’s no logo on the plastic seal, if it’s just clear plastic, or if it merely has LPG printed on it. The only acceptable seal is one that has the same branding on the seal as is on the body of the cylinder.
- Make sure you use the correct size of the cylinder for the appliance you are using.
- Once you have connected the regulator to the cylinder valve, open the valve one and a half turns only – it is not necessary to open it further.
- Before using the appliance, wait half a minute or so to see if there is any smell of gas. If there is a smell, immediately close the valve and contact Bugs & Sparks to check and, if necessary, service your installation or recommend an appliance service specialist.
Who is LPGSA?
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of South Africa (LPGSA) is a non-profit industry body tasked with promoting the safe and compliant use of LPGas. As the LPGas industry body, they are dedicated to the safe use of LPGas throughout South Africa, and to helping users to understand its safety implications.
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