How to transport an LPG cylinder safely
Carry a cylinder upright with the valve closed, secured so it cannot roll, in a ventilated vehicle. Never lay it on its side, never leave it in a closed boot in the sun, and take it straight to its destination rather than leaving it in the car.
Most cylinders are delivered, but people do collect their own. The rules are short and they matter.
Why must it stay upright?
The valve is designed to draw vapour from the top of the cylinder. Laid on its side, a cylinder can push liquid LPG into the valve and, if it is connected, into a regulator and hose that are not built to carry liquid.
Upright also keeps the pressure relief path working the way it was designed to.
How should it be secured?
So it cannot roll, tip or slide. A cylinder rolling loose in a boot can strike the valve, which is the one part you cannot afford to damage.
Wedge it upright, strap it, or brace it against a fixed part of the vehicle. On a motorcycle or a loader, tie it upright and check the tie before setting off, not after.
Does the vehicle need ventilation?
Yes. Carry it with a window open. A sealed cabin gives a small leak nowhere to go, and LPG settles low, which in a car means around the footwells.
An open pickup or a loader is better than a closed boot for exactly this reason.
Why must you not leave it in the car?
Because a closed vehicle in Pakistani sun gets far hotter than the air outside, and heat raises the pressure inside the cylinder.
Take it straight to where it is going. A cylinder is not something to leave in a parked car while you run other errands.
What should you check before loading it?
- The valve is fully closed
- The valve cap or plug is fitted if the cylinder came with one
- There is no smell of gas
- The collar and valve are undamaged
If you can smell gas at any point during the journey, stop, get out, open the vehicle up and do not restart until it has cleared.
What about carrying two?
Same rules, and make sure they cannot knock against each other. Two loose cylinders in a boot will find each other's valves on the first corner.
Common questions
Can I transport a gas cylinder lying down?
No. Always upright. On its side a cylinder can push liquid LPG into the valve and, if connected, into a regulator and hose that are not built to carry liquid.
Is it safe to carry a gas cylinder in a car boot?
Only upright, secured so it cannot roll, and with a window open for ventilation. Never leave it in a parked car in the sun, because heat raises the pressure inside the cylinder.
What should I do if I smell gas while driving?
Stop, get out, and open the vehicle up. Do not restart or operate anything electrical until the smell has cleared completely.
References
Sargodha Gas has supplied LPG cylinders in Sargodha since 2005. Contact us