Are we living with portable bombs?  

Gas cylinder blast is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh, which has horrifyingly increased over the last few years.

A balloon gas cylinder exploded in Rupnagar residential area of Dhaka on October 30, 2019, an incident in which six children were killed and over 18 injured critically. On September 8, 2019, gas cylinders exploded in two local restaurants in Board Bazar area of Gazipur and 17 sustained burn injuries.

In a devastating fire in Dhaka's Chawkbazar are, caused by an explosion of a cylinder of compressed natural gas (CNG) in a vehicle, on February 20, 2019, as many aqs 80 people were killed and 50 injured seriously.

There are many reasons for such gas cylinder explosion and we need to know the reasons for taking necessary safety measures.

Firstly, the prime reason for a gas cylinder blast is gas leakage from cylinder, regulator or fittings. The leaked gas mixes with air at a proportion of flammability. Adding an ignition source to this leads to a gas cylinder explosion. Secondly, lack of proper maintenance of gas cylinder is another reason for explosion because old wires have a chance of losing their insulation, leading to a short circuit that results in a gas cylinder blast. Thirdly, certain activities like smoking in the car and carrying flammable materials may cause a gas cylinder explosion. Fourthly, purchase of a substandard gas cylinder and improper fitting can cause leakage, resulting in a cylinder blast. Fifthly, there is likelihood that a CNG-run vehicle may catch fire instantly after an accident. A swift strike or jerk might cause the CNG kit's fittings to loosen up. If this goes unnoticed, it can lead to a massive explosion.

Prevention is always better than cure. It's necessary to follow some safety measures while handling cylinders of CNG, used in vehicles, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), used for cooking, and the ones used by balloon sellers. Following safety measures may help in avoiding cylinder blast.

Firstly, there is a regulation that every cylinder of CNG, used in vehicles, must go for retesting once every five years which is ignored deliberately by vehicle owners resulting in explosion. An untested gas cylinder is like a portable bomb. Therefore, it is a high time to make it compulsory for every vehicle owner to submit a cylinder retesting report for getting a fitness certificate from Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). Moreover, fuel stations will not provide CNG or octane to vehicles, if the drivers are unable to show a valid "fitness" certificate and cylinder retesting report.

Secondly, the government should take initiatives to stop imports of substandard cylinders and illegal conversion centres in the country to ensure proper safety standards in this regard.

Thirdly, it is strictly prohibited to ask for refueling beyond maximum permissible pressure of 32,000 psi [pound per square inch] under any circumstances.

Fourthly, it is critical to ensure that LPG cylinder is kept vertically, in a place which has sufficient ventilation.

Fifthly, certain activities like smoking in the car, carrying flammable materials need to be avoided even if there is some residual LPG left as chances of a gas cylinder explosion are always on the rise when they are exposed to heat and fire.

Finally, balloon sellers who use illegally produced highly combustible hydrogen gas inside cylinders instead of helium gas, need to be monitored and punished. Furthermore, the government can completely ban gas balloon selling by street hawkers.

Md.Hafez is an Assistant Professor of School of Business at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology.

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