The power is no less than that of dynamite and it can also cause secondary explosions. Gas accidents must be prevented!

Auditing Expert: Yu Yang, registered safety engineer, first-level registered fire engineer

Expert from Beijing Municipal Emergency Management Bureau

Every summer, there are always news reports of gas explosions . The chaotic and horrific accident scene is shocking, and the tragic experience of the injured is sympathetic. For the public, it is particularly important to establish a safe awareness of gas use, master the safety common sense of gas use, and prevent tragedies from happening again.

Source: News Photo

As an essential energy provider in our lives, town gas plays an extremely important role. In the home, it is indispensable for boiling water and cooking. However, while enjoying the convenience brought by gas, we must also be wary of its flammable, explosive, and toxic properties and the safety risks that come with it.

How terrible is a gas explosion?

We often see gas cylinder (liquefied petroleum gas) explosions in the news. In the cylinder, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) coexists in gas and liquid phases in a relatively balanced state. However, seemingly sturdy and durable cylinders often hide dangers, so professional departments will make strict regulations on the pressure resistance, operating temperature range, filling capacity, etc. of the cylinders.

However, in actual use, some special conditions may cause cylinders to explode. For example, if the amount of liquefied petroleum gas in a cylinder exceeds the safety standard (i.e., exceeds 85% of its volume), there is a risk of explosion. When a cylinder is lying down and burning or is not used according to regulations, there is also a risk of explosion.

Source: News Photo

The explosion of liquefied petroleum gas is very powerful, and usually there are two kinds of damage. The first is a physical explosion after the tank body ruptures , that is, the liquid petroleum gas in the tank instantly expands to 250-300 times its original volume, bursting the steel tank and generating a huge shock wave; the second is a chemical explosion , that is, the gaseous petroleum gas quickly mixes with the air. When its concentration in the air reaches 1.5%-9.5%, a second explosion will occur when it encounters an open flame.

Safety measures to keep in mind

Therefore, in order to eliminate the above safety hazards, the first thing to do is to buy regular products that meet relevant standards. At the same time, be sure to use liquefied petroleum gas in a standardized manner , such as opening the angle valve first and then the stove valve when using gas; and closing the angle valve first and then the stove valve after using gas.

In addition to the physical and chemical hazards of liquefied petroleum gas itself, we should also pay more attention to the use of gas cylinders, angle valves, connecting hoses and fuel appliances in daily use. In addition, we should also say goodbye to those so-called "little life tricks" as soon as possible. The saying that heating, shaking, and lying down the cylinder can make full use of the "gas" is a gamble with safety.

Source: News Photo

We should also raise safety awareness for other pipeline gas and not take it lightly. We should choose stoves and hoses that meet national standards. At the same time, they should be used within a reasonable life span . If they exceed the life span, they need to be replaced. The stove should have an automatic flameout protection device. When using it, always remember to turn off the stove switch and the valve in front of the stove in time. It is strictly forbidden to use rubber hoses. Special fuel appliance connection hoses such as stainless steel bellows should be selected. At the same time, pay attention to the hose length should not be greater than 2 meters. The hose cannot pass through walls, doors, windows, ceilings and floors, nor can it be higher than the stove. Finally, I will teach you a simple way to detect whether the gas is leaking. You can use soap liquid to apply it to the fuel appliance, connecting hoses, valves, pipes and joints, gas meters, etc. to see if there are bubbles and bulges. If there are, it is a leak point.

In short, vision, hearing, and smell are all used. Listen for any hissing sounds, smell for any odor similar to rotten eggs, and check to see if the gas meter changes when not in use. The purpose of observation is to ensure safety at every moment.

What should I do if I find a gas leak?

What should you do if you encounter a gas leak in your life? You must remember some tips that can save lives at critical moments.

Gas explosion requires conditions, first, the concentration reaches the explosion range, second, it is a confined space, and third, there is an ignition source. If you smell something wrong in the kitchen, never use an open flame to check if the gas is leaking, and never turn on the lights, range hoods, or other electrical appliances. Because at this time, the gas concentration in the air may have reached the explosion limit, and the electric sparks generated when the electrical appliances are turned on and off may instantly cause an explosion. What we need to do at this time is to stay calm, open the doors and windows in time for ventilation, dilute the gas concentration in the room, and destroy the conditions for gas explosion. At the same time, close the gas valve, then quickly go to a safe location outdoors to call the gas emergency repair number and wait for help from professionals.

It must be reminded here that you should never make a phone call within the danger zone.

Source: News Photo

In addition to explosion accidents, poisoning caused by gas leaks also occur from time to time, especially in the bathroom in winter. Therefore, when using a gas water heater to take a bath, do not close the doors and windows tightly, and leave vents.

Convenient and comfortable living conditions are the premise of happiness, but all happiness is built on the basis of safety. When using gas in daily life, we must put an end to the mentality of luck, avoid excessive saving, check the gas equipment at home more often, use gas in a standardized manner, and never let more regrets happen.