Trade group: Only authentic LPG tanks safe

MANILA  -An industry association of LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) firms over the weekend reminded the public to check the authenticity of the LPG cylinder tanks they are buying as a safety precaution following the recent spate of these cooking fixtures exploding and injuring people.

LPG Industry Association Inc. (LPGIA) executive director Mercedita Pastrana said LPG tanks should have embossed or permanent markings that identify the brand.

“The brand or trademark owner is important so we know who is responsible or accountable. Let’s not accept generic tanks which we do not know where they came from,” Pastrana said in an interview during the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Saturday morning program at the DZBB station.

“Those with just painted-on brandings are not considered as permanent marking because those can be painted over and replaced,” she said further.

The LPGIA official said LPG tanks should also come sealed, with the brand name in the seal matching the brand of the cylinder tank.

Finally, she said consumers should also examine the body of the cylinder tank itself to check for damages or dents.

“We can check visually if the tank is already rusted over or has dents. The consumer has the right to return these,” Pastrana said, adding that tanks that have these need to be taken to qualified repairers.

Last Wednesday, two people suffered from burns and other injuries after an LPG tank in the kitchen of a laundry shop exploded in Lopez town in Quezon province.

Last month, a driver for an LPG store in Sampaloc, Manila was also injured after an 11-kilo tank exploded. INQ

-CSN

RELATED STORIES:

Consumers warned vs illegal gas tanks

2 hurt in LPG blast at laundry shop in Quezon town