LPG is now a household name in India, with the Government is working on increasing the number of people who are using it. In 2019, the Government released a statement where they mentioned that more than 90% of India is using an LPG connection. Although they are making an effort to increase the number of people using LPG to an even higher number, the country has seen a significant increase in the number of people moving to LPG in the last decade since they are beginning to understand its benefits.
While the Government is responsible for the increase in people using LPG either because of their awareness campaigns, getting more people to know and learn about the benefits of using LPG. They are also working on a lot of schemes to benefit more people in rural India, so they would be interested in applying for a connection and start seeing the benefits.
While most people might know why it makes sense to use LPG over an alternative fuel source, they might not be sure what to do in the instance of issues relating to their connections. Here are some lesser-known facts about dealing with an LPG connection on the off chance that the cylinder is facing issues.
Pay attention to the approval of LPG appliances.
Always choose a BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) validated device
Get BIS authorized rubber tubes and LPG regulators from certified suppliers only. They are also thoroughly tested and are guaranteed to be safe.
When getting cylinders
Ensure that the company seal and safety cap are fixed securely on the gas cylinder making sure there are no leaks since these could cause issues that could be dangerous for the household. If applicants are in doubt about the procedure, they can always ask for a demonstration from the team fitting it in the house.
They should fit the LPG cylinder at ground level on a plain surface. It is a common practice to drag, roll, or drop cylinders, which is strictly unadvisable. If an individual receives a cylinder that was dragged and rolled, they should leave it sitting for a while before moving forward with the same.
Before and after usage
Always store the cylinder vertically on a smooth surface and not something lumpy, ideally where it is well-aired. Do not use flames, lighters or candles to check if there are leaks. Never keep the LPG cylinder in your cabinet since it would lack air circulation.
The LPG stove should always be fitted on the kitchenette slab at a position above the cylinder while keeping the cylinder far from heat sources like the induction cooker, lit lamps, flames etc.
Store empty cylinders in a cold, airy spot, post putting the safety cap in place.
Turn out flames and burners when replacing the gas cylinders, even there isn’t a flame at the time.
Ideally, change the rubber tube once in six months.
In case of a leakage
Do not turn on or off any electrical appliances in the kitchen if there could be a leak. Put out all flames, lights, incense sticks or anything that could cause a fire.
Shut down the appliance and turn off the LPG regulator then put on the Safety Cap on the cylinder after switching off the regulator.
Keep all the windows and doors open to ensure ventilation but without switching on electric or exhaust fans.
When applying for a new gas connection, get in touch with the specific gas company that works best in the vicinity. Fill out the application forms through the website or in-person depending on what the applicant prefers.
With the new eGovernance platforms, getting a gas connection is a lot easier now. People can fill the forms online and even upload their supporting documents. The backend will verify all the information provided, and the agency sends a person to the house to put together the connection. Dealing with getting a proper gas connection should be done with through that person.
People can get an LPG gas booking through the website or over the phone whenever they need a refill. They can coordinate the same process through the office, but it takes a lot of time and not be the most convenient way.