At this time of year, many people are thinking about getting the barbecue out of the garage or shed and setting it up on the few days of sunshine that we may be treated to during the spring and summer months!
So, as people start to bring their barbecue and equipment out of storage, they may be wondering how best to keep their equipment, and more specifically, the gas canisters, safe. This is incredibly important, so we have put together a few hints detailing how and where to store BBQ gas bottles safely and responsibly.
Store Gas Bottles Outdoors
It’s important that any gas cylinders you have are stored outdoors. If you don’t have an outdoor space, then ensure that they are stored in a place that is extremely well ventilated. If you don’t have a space that is suitable, you should think about other options for fuel or storage such as asking a relative or neighbour to store your gas bottles responsibly.
If you fail to store your gas bottles appropriately, then you risk incurring an accident or fatality as a result of a gas leak.
If a gas bottle leaks whilst it is stored outdoors, the gas will easily disperse into the atmosphere. If the bottle is kept indoors with poor ventilation, however, the gas will have nowhere to escape and will fill the room. This can cause suffocation, poisoning, or – in the event of a stray spark or fire – explosions.
Safety for Transporting Gas
If you are going camping and will be taking a gas bottle with you in your car or van, there are some steps that you can take to maximise the safety of you and your travelling companions:
Keep your bottles upright
Ensure that they are secure
Keep the vehicle well ventilated
A 2kg fire extinguisher is required on all vehicles carrying gas
Ensure the cylinder valve is closed
Remove any extraneous equipment attached to the cylinder
No smoking in the vehicle
No open sources of ignition near the gas
Fit a blanking cap to the outlet connection
Camping should be fun – so you shouldn’t have to worry about your gas whilst you drive. Take the proper precautions and drive with confidence. If you are ever concerned about travelling with gas – stop and park if you’re already in the car, turn off the engine and get out – speak to us and we’ll try to answer any immediate worries you have about your current gas storage.
Store Away from Lowered Areas
Propane and butane are heavier than air, so when released, the gas will sink. This can present a serious danger, especially if the gas bottles are kept near a lowered area. When the gas enters this area, the oxygen is displaced, effectively creating a chamber of air that has little to no oxygen. This creates a high possibility of suffocation.
Store Gas Bottles Away from Heat
It should go without saying that gas cannisters should not be stored near a source of heat or ignition. The type of gas used for barbecues is a propellant, and one aspect of propellant is that it is also highly flammable.
The flammable nature of BBQ gas is why it makes such a great tool for outdoor cooking, but owners of BBQs should also keep this quality in mind when they store their bottles. Keep your bottles in a place where they aren’t going to be in contact with a source of heat or ignition.
Store Gas Bottles in an Upright Position
Handling gas bottles with care is essential. You should ensure to always store them in an upright position. One reason for this is the positioning of the pressure relief valve which is there as a safety measure to let a little of the gas out if the pressure inside the bottle reaches a dangerous level. If the bottle is not kept in an upright position, this can affect the way this valve works.
When storing BBQ and patio gas, it is essential that you do so in a safe and responsible way. As bottled gas suppliers, we want to make sure that you stay safe when you are handling gas, whether it is for a barbecue, filling balloons with helium or to keep the beer flowing!
You can find out more about how to handle and store gas safely on our safety and storage page, and make sure to carry on checking our blog for more updates about our products and how to use them safely.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about any of our products, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team who will be more than happy to help.
