LPG is a flammable gas mixture used as a fuel. It is odorless and colorless, so an odorant is added to help detect leaks. LPG is heavier than air and can accumulate near the ground in low-lying areas if there is a leak. Strict safety measures must be followed when handling, storing, and transporting LPG to prevent fires and explosions, including proper design of storage facilities, maintenance of equipment, and avoidance of potential ignition sources.

1. LPG Safety

3. LPG is the generic name for
mixtures, mainly Butane
(C4H10) & Propane (C3H8).
LPG= Propane + Butane

4. LPG is colourless.
LPG leaks are hence not visible.

5. LPG is odourless.
LPG has no natural smell & so a strong
stenching agent (mercapton) is added to
assist in detecting leaks.

6. LPG is heavier than air.
That is why LPG vapour tends to settle on t
ground pits, sewer etc. incase of leakage.
Air
LPG

7. LPG is lighter than water.
 LPG is lighter than water & float on the water surface.
 LPG is immiscible with water.
 LPG
 Water

8. LPG requires specific air ratios to burn
LPG will not burn if too dense or to lean.
Flammability Range is 2 % to 10% by
volume.
LPG
100 %
LPG
0 %
LPG
2% to 10%

9. LPG can be either LIQUID or a VAPOUR.
LPG is a LIQUID
under Pressure.
LIQUID
LPG becomes
VAPOUR when the
pressure is
released.
LIQUID

10. LIQUID LPG expands as a VAPOUR,
250 Volume
=
1 Volume
LPG is stored as a LIQUID.
1 Volume of LIQUID = 250 Volumes of VAPOUR

11. LPG expands with temperature.
LIQUID
Vapour
Space
LPG expands with TEMPERATURE. LPG
Tanks or cylinders are never filled the Top.
LPG cylinders should be stored under shed.

12. Other Properties of the LPG.
1. LPG is not poisonous, but can cause
asphyxia in confined space or closed room
2. LPG attacks rubbers & other jointing
compounds.
3. LPG has high vapour pressure, hence
stored in the pressure vessels built to the
regulations & equipped with suitable &
adequate proper safety devices.
4. LPG has excellent solvent power &
dissolves rubbers & other jointing
compounds (Gaskets).

13. Other Properties of the LPG.
5. LPG has high co-efficient of expansion,
liquid expands considerably with rise in
temperature. Therefore storage tanks must
not be filled completely.
6. Rapidly evaporating Liquid LPG causes
considerable temperature drop. Boiling
Point at Atmospheric Pressure is –20 C for
Butane & –450 C for Propane. Liquid can
cause cold burns.
7. LPG has high energy value & maximum
flame temperature in air. It is clean to both
store & burn. It is safer than other
flammable gases (acetylene) if used safely.

14. Safety considerations in
design of LPG Storage Facilities.
1. LPG Tank should be designed as per IS 2825 &
have single nozzle at the bottom to minimize the
possibility of leak. It is recommended that there
should not be any other flanges like manholes,
instrument tapping etc. at the bottom.
2. Storage Tank should have one pressure gauge,
temperature gauge & two different type of level
indicators & one high level switch set at 85%.
3. Storage Tank should have minimum Two Safety
Valves (spring loaded type) installed in the vapour
space with rain protection. Safety Valves should
be set at 110% of design pressure. Each safety
valve should be provided with shut off valve in
between it & the Vessel.

15. Safety considerations in
design of LPG Storage Facilities.
4. It is recommended that Fireproof coating /
insulation be provided on the vessel to avoid
direct exposure to the heat in the event of fire. The
protection should good enough to safeguard
structure for 30-60 minutes. LPG Tanks should be
painted externally to prevent corrosion & should
have reflecting surface.
5. Storage Tank should have remote operated valves
(ROVs) on inlet & outlet lines interlocked with
Leak detection system.
6. Storage Tank with unloading tanker should have
adequate Fire Fighting Protection like sprinklers,
Hydrants, Fire Extinguishers.

16. Safety considerations in
design of LPG Storage Facilities.
8. ERW MS Pipes confirming to IS 3601should be
used to fabricate pipeline. As far as possible all
underground piping should be constructed with
SS pipe (schedule 40).
9. Isolation valves should be provided on both side
where ever pipeline is laid under ground with
appropriate safety display boards.
10. Proper safe guarding is essential wherever
pipeline is passing over the bridge.
11. Pipeline should be coated with two coats of anti-
corrosive (zinc phosper) paint & synthetic enamel
paint (Golden Yellow colour).

17. Safety considerations in
design of LPG Storage Facilities.
12. Electrical equipments (light fitting, switches, motors,
starters) should be of flameproof construction &
properly grounded. Electrical cable should not pass
over the LPG storage vessel.
13. All pipelines carrying flammable LPG should be
prepared for electrical continuity & properly
grounded in an efficient manner. Every pipeline
should have proper support to avoid sagging.
14. Vessels should be constructed above ground. No
part of the vessel should be buried below ground.
Vessels should not be installed one above other.
15. Sufficient distance to be provided in between two
Vessels to afford fire fighting operations. Vessels
installed with their dished ends facing each other
should have screen wall in between them.

18. Safety considerations in
design of LPG Storage
Facilities.
16. LPG Tank should be marked with manufacturer’s
name & identification mark, standard or code of
design, official stamp of the inspector, design
pressure, date of hydro-static test & the
subsequent test, hydro-static test pressure, water
capacity in liters,gas capacity, name & symbol of
the gas for which the vessel is to be used.
17. LPG Storage Tank Yard should be cleaned & kept
free from readily ignitable material such as long
weeds, dry grass etc.
18. LPG Tank Yard should be fenced with industrial
type fence 2 meter high, with two means of exits
which will open outwards & should not be of self
locking type. It should be kept under lock & key.

19. Safety considerations in
design of LPG Storage
Facilities.
19. Person below 18 years of age & in a state of
intoxication should not be allowed for loading,
unloading, transportation of any LPG vessel.
20. Smoking or match boxes, open flames, lights or
articles or substance capable of causing ignition
(pagers, mobiles, torches etc) should not be
allowed in the LPG Yard. Safety instruction boards
to that effect should be displayed at LPG Yard.
Emergency Telephone with emergency contact
numbers must be displayed at LPG yard.
21. Before using new vessel or before refilling
existing vessel should be purged with inert gas or
by the gas for which the vessel is to be used.

20. Safety considerations in
design of LPG Storage
Facilities.
22. Any repair / alteration should be done with prior
permission of CCOE. Before repair the vessel
should be completely emptied & weighed to
ensure that 100% gas is delivered.
23. Every vehicle should be carefully inspected
before allowing in to the premises & completely
emptied before it leaves the premises.
24. Before starting unloading operation, surrounding
area should be checked visually for unusual or
dangerous situations. Tailor made check list or
Work Permit System should be followed
meticulously before starting unloading operation.
As far as possible LPG unloading operation
should be done in the day time.

21. LPG Storage Tank must have Following Fittings / Openings
1. Manhole or Man way
2. Liquid Inlet
3. Liquid outlet
4. Vapour inlet (Equalizer Line)
5. Vapour Outlet
6. Drain
7. Pressure Gauge
8. Safety Relief Valves – 2 Nos.
9. Roto gauge
10. Fixed Level Gauge
11. Thermo well
12. Automatic Excess Flow valve must be provided on
item no. 2 to 6.

22. Statutory Checking of LPG Storage Tanks & its safety fittings
1. All vessels should be Hydraulically Tested at a
pressure 1.5 times of design pressure at a frequency
of Five Years by Competent Person.
2. Safety Relief Valves should be tested every year
by Competent Person for correct operation. Test
Certificate should be maintained.
3. All pipeline should be tested hydraulically at a
frequency of two years. All pipeline should be tested
externally at a frequency of six months.
4. LPG unloading hoses should be hydraulically
Tested every year.
5. Vaporizer should be hydraulically tested at a
frequency of two years by competent person.
6. Excess Flow Valves should be inspected at the
time of hydraulic testing.

23. Do’s & Don’t’s In Handling LPG.
1. Always inspect & maintain the LPG installation
(vessel, pipelines & surroundings) in good working
condition.
2. Always lock the isolation valves installed below the
Safety Relief Valves in open condition.
3. Always connect earthing to the LPG Tanker before
starting unloading operation.
4. Soap solution should be used to detect the LPG
leakage.
5. Always understand & follow Company’s Emergency
Management Plan.
6. Check & maintain the Fire Fighting system for
provided LPG Yard.
7. If any smell is observed, immediately inform the In-
charge of HT Section & find out the leakage.

24. Do’s & Don’t’s In Handling LPG.
8. Always use non sparking tools in LPG Yard.
9. Incase of major leakage, close the isolation valve
immediately & inform the concerned.
10. Incase of LPG leakage at Home do not operate any
electrical equipment (tube light, fan etc.). Switch off
The regulator & open all openings like window, door.
11. Inspect the Flexible hoses, rubber hoses every
month & replace them if observed damaged.
12. Keep the Gas Cylinder at accessible location & away
from electrical wires & heat.
13. Always use flash back arrestor while using LPG for
Gas Cutting.
14. Children should be kept away from the LPG system.
15. Always switch off Gas Regulator before sleep &
going out.