Gas bottle safety

[Pecky]

This was reported on ExplorOz recently
A couple recently stopped for a cup of tea after they had travelled 50km of corrugated roads to get to Lake Eyre. The gas cylinder & stove were set up in the back of the vehicle and the gentleman had just lit a cigarette when they were both blown back by an explosion presumably after the gas cylinder leaked. They lost their vehicle and all their possessions to the subsequent fire.

I hope this makes you think about how you store your gas cylinders as LPG is heavier than air and any leakage will puddle around in the lowest part of your vehicle.
I was concerned about this and some time ago made up a secondary cap for my gas cylinder. I used a fitting into which I put a screw into the hole in the centre. This blocks the hole and with the washer keeps the two halves together. To be extra sure I carry my gas cylinder inside my upside down spare tyre which is on my roof rack and they are both held down by ratchet straps.

 

[Kevin]

Make sure gas bottles are carried upright otherwise I believe the safety valve won't work:

https://www.dme.qld.gov.au/zone_files/petroleum_pdf/info_cylindertransport.pdf

 

[silver]

Just a thought. I've seen a lot of gas bottles repainted in dark colours. Particularly camo brown. I don't think this is a great idea.

 

[Cluster Fock]

Don't think it makes a difference what colour it is mate.

 

[d_generate]

If you can't smell that sh1t there is something wrong with your snout.

 

[Blue Fox]

^^ I have to agree. If you couldn't smell that much gas (and it had to be a lot to cause an actual explosion), then something is majorly wrong with them. How do you NOT smell that much gas?

 

[braundyking5]

smoking is dangerous to your health regardless?
surely they must not have turned the vavle off properly
i sell and fill bottles daily, and use them out camping, never had an issue as yet.
always upright, always making sure the vavle is closed tight