Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is used for cooking in many urban and rural households in Bangladesh. Gas cylinder safety is paramount in every household. Neglecting safety measures can lead to catastrophic consequences including death and burn injuries. Understanding the importance of proper gas cylinder handling and storage is crucial in preventing accidents. Let’s delve into essential safety measures to prevent LPG cylinder-related accidents. How to Use LPG Gas Cylinder Safely at Home  Proper Storage of Gas Cylinders When storing gas cylinders, it is crucial to keep them upright in a well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat. This helps prevent the risk of overheating or ignition.  Additionally, one should ensure that the cylinders are securely positioned to avoid any accidental tipping, which could lead to leaks or damage. Proper storage practices are essential for maintaining the integrity and safety of gas cylinders in the home.  Read more: Why Fire Safety Audit is Essential for Commercial Buildings Purchase from an Authorised Distributor When purchasing LPG cylinders, it is crucial to buy from authorised distributors to ensure quality and safety.  Before placing an order, it is advisable to verify the agency's authorisation status online. This step helps consumers ensure that they are purchasing genuine and certified cylinders from trusted sources, enhancing safety standards in their homes.  Regular Maintenance Checks Regular maintenance checks are vital for ensuring the safety of gas cylinders at home. Certified technicians should conduct periodic inspections to identify any leaks or signs of damage.  Prompt detection of issues allows for timely repairs or replacement of faulty cylinders and reduces the risk of accidents. By prioritising regular maintenance, households can minimise the chances of gas leaks or cylinder malfunctions, thus safeguarding the well-being of occupants and property. Read more: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe Safe Handling Practices Safe handling practices are paramount when dealing with gas cylinders. It is essential to handle them with care, avoiding rough treatment or dropping that could lead to damage or leaks. When transporting cylinders, use appropriate equipment to ensure stability and minimise the risk of accidents.  Also, avoid dragging cylinders across the floor, as this could cause abrasions or compromise their integrity. By adhering to safe handling practices, individuals can mitigate potential hazards.  Ensuring Adequate Ventilation Ensuring adequate ventilation is essential, particularly in confined areas where gas cylinders are stored or used. Proper airflow plays a vital role in dispersing any leaked gas, preventing its accumulation, and reducing the risk of ignition.  By maintaining sufficient ventilation, households can enhance safety levels and minimise the likelihood of hazardous situations arising from gas leaks. Prioritising ventilation measures are integral to creating a safer environment when dealing with gas cylinders at home.  Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention Checking for Leaks Before using a gas cylinder, it is essential to conduct a leak test to ensure safety. A simple method is to apply a solution of soapy water to the cylinder valve and connections. If bubbles form, it indicates a leak.  In such cases, the cylinder should not be used until the leak is rectified by a qualified technician. Regularly checking for leaks helps prevent potential hazards and ensures the safe use of gas cylinders in households.  Proper Installation of Gas Appliances Proper installation of gas appliances is crucial for safety. It is recommended to hire certified technicians to install gas appliances, adhering to manufacturer guidelines. Improper installation may result in gas leaks or malfunctions, posing significant risks to occupants.  Certified technicians have the expertise to ensure correct installation, reducing the likelihood of hazards. By prioritising professional installation, households can enhance safety levels in their homes.  Read more: Workplace Fire Safety: 12 Effective Ways to Prevent Fire Hazards Emergency Procedures In the event of a gas leak, swift action is essential for safety. Firstly, turn off the cylinder valve to stop the gas flow. Next, open windows and doors to ventilate the area, helping to disperse the gas. It is significant to evacuate the premises immediately and move to a safe location outdoors.  If the situation escalates or there is a risk of fire or explosion, contact emergency services without delay for professional assistance. Prioritising quick and decisive action can prevent potential accidents and protect lives.  Educating Family Members Ensuring that all family members are well-informed about gas cylinder safety is paramount. Children, in particular, should be educated on the importance of not meddling with gas appliances and being able to identify the signs of a gas leak.  By instilling this knowledge, households can empower everyone to recognise potential hazards and take appropriate action, thereby fostering a safer environment for all occupants. Education plays a crucial role in preventing accidents and promoting responsible behaviour when dealing with gas cylinders at home.  Read more: Car Fire Safety: Common Causes and Immediate Things to Do Importance of Professional Assistance Seeking professional assistance for gas-related tasks is crucial to upholding safety standards and regulatory compliance. Certified technicians possess the expertise and training to handle installations, repairs, and maintenance of gas appliances and cylinders.  Entrusting these tasks to professionals minimises the risk of errors or safety hazards, ensuring the well-being of occupants. By adhering to professional standards, households can maintain the integrity of their gas systems and mitigate the potential for accidents or incidents arising from improper handling or maintenance.  Safety Tips for Cooking with Gas When using gas stoves for cooking, prioritise kitchen ventilation to disperse any gas fumes effectively. Never leave the stove unattended while cooking to prevent potential accidents.  Additionally, avoid wearing loose clothing that could easily catch fire, and ensure that flammable objects are kept at a safe distance from the stove.  Read more: School Fire Hazard Safety: Essential preventive measures to minimise risk Final Words In numerous households in Bangladesh, LPG cylinder is used for cooking. Therefore, the safety issue of LPG cylinders is non-negotiable. By following these precautions and guidelines while using gas cylinders, households can minimise the risk of fire hazards and ensure safer cooking environments.

Price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been slashed again. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price, saying that a 12kg LPG cylinder’s price has been reduced by Tk 75.24. A retail consumer will now get it at Tk 999 instead of Tk 1,074 (including VAT). Prices of other sizes of LPG cylinders – from 5.5kg to 45kg – will go down rationally, Md Nurul Amin, newly appointed chairman of BERC, said at a press briefing on Monday at the BERC office in Dhaka. The new prices will be effective from 6 pm today (July 3, 2023). LPG price drops by Tk 13.42 per kg BERC officials said the LPG price witnessed a decline in the local market due to the decrease in the prices of Saudi CP (contract price). Bangladeshi LPG operators normally import their products from the Middle-East market on the basis of Saudi CP. As per the BERC decision, the price of “auto gas” (LPG used for motor vehicles) also dropped to Tk 46.59 (including VAT) per litre from the previous Tk 50.09. 12-kg LPG price goes up by Tk 57 to Tk 1235 The price of LPG, marketed by state-owned LP Gas Company, will remain the same as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5 percent. LPG witnessed the highest price at Tk 1,498 (per 12kg cylinder) in the local market in February this year following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February last year. 12kg LPG cylinder to cost Tk 244 less

Italy is keen to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh. Such interest of the European country was expressed when its ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata met State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office at the ministry on Thursday. The Italian Envoy informed the state minister that its state coordinated energy company Eni SPA is interested to supply the LNG and also wants to work with Bangladesh to contribute in the field of sustainable energy, gas exploration, LNG and traditional refinery development, wind, hydrogen and new technology invention. Also read: Global oil, LNG price hike impact Bangladesh: Momen He also presented the current state of Italian companies’ operations in energy and technology sectors in Bangladesh. The Italian envoy discussed different issues including decarbonsation, bio refining, development of renewable energy, hydrocarbon production. Appreciating the Italian interest, Nasrul Hamid said the European company will be welcomed in Bangladesh. He said the business model through which the Italian company wants to supply the LNG should be discussed at the expert level. “Bangladesh and Italy can exchange their experiences in oil and gas exploration and also in the development of hydrogen fuel,” he said. Also read: Bangladesh purchases LNG, fertiliser at lower rates as prices fall in global market Both the nations would be benefited if such experiences are exchanged at the officials’ level under a certain framework, he added. Senior Vice president of the International Affairs Analysis and Business Support Department of Eni SPA Marco Piredda, Vice President of the Business Development Department Mauro Rinaudo, were among others present in the meeting.

The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has decreased further by Tk 7.23 per kg. From now, the consumers will get a 12kg bottle of this cooking gas at a lower price by Tk 93 as the its price has been set at Tk 1242 instead of the last month’s  (May, 2022) price of Tk 1335.  The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the price at a virtual briefing on Thursday. The new price will come into effect at 6pm today( Thursday).  Also read: Per kg LPG price declines by Tk 8.68, 12 kg container to be sold at Tk 1335 The other quantity containers of LPG from 5 kg to 45 kg will rationally be sold at per the new rates, said BERC chairman Abdul Jalil. As per announcement, the price of auto gas for motor vehicles has been lowered to Tk 57.91 per litre from the earlier price of Tk Tk 62.21. However, the price of LPG, marketed by the state-owned LP Gas Company, will have no effect as it is locally produced with a market share of less than 5 percent.  The LPG price had gone up to the highest Tk 1439 (12 kg) in the local market following the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February this year.  The LPG price was lowest at Tk 1225 for 12 kg in January this year and it witnessed the continuous hike in price in February, March and April. Abdul Jalil said that globally the price of Saudi CP (contract price) has declined which gives the benefit to the local consumers as Bangladeshi private LPG operators mainly import the gas from the Middle East market based on Saudi CP. Also read: LPG gets costlier further by Tk 48 per 12-kg container The BERC, for the first time, fixed the retail-level LPG prices on April 12 after holding a public hearing to comply with a High Court order.

The energy regulator will announce its decision on Sunday next on the appeal of the private operators of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to re-fix the current rates of the product at the retail level. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) will announce its decision at 12 noon on October 10, said a press release on Thursday. On September 13 last, the BERC held a public hearing at BIAM auditorium responding to the appeal of the private LPG operators to raise the current price of the fuel. Read: LPG Price: Operators demand an increase but consumers want reduction Participating in the hearing, right groups strongly opposed the operators’ demand for raising the LPG price. The rights groups urged the BERC to proceed on the issue cautiously to avert litigation in higher court, while the operators insisted on increasing the price further to cover losses in their business. Both sides placed their respective arguments during the public hearing held at the BIAM Auditorium. Convened by the BERC, it was presided over by the commission chairman Abdul Jalil. Other members of the BERC also attended the hearing. Read: LPG prices to go up again from Sept 1 The BERC has been fixing the LPG price on a monthly basis since April 12 this year. But LPG Operators of Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) opposes the process saying that much of their costs were not calculated and considered in price fixing that resulted in losses to their business.

Further adjusting with Saudi Contract Price (CP), the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has re-fixed the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at retail level with effect from May 1. As per the new prices, the private companies will have to sell 12 kg LPG at Tk 906 instead of current price of Tk 975 while LP Gas Company Ltd, the state-owned company, will sell 12.5 kg LPG at Tk 591 as it has no relation with Saudi CP. In re-fixing the price, the value of per kg of LPG was considered to be Tk 75.49 including VAT and such price will be applicable for re-fixing the price of other weighed containers. Also read: Govt to monitor adherence to new LPG price after lockdown: Energy Secretary The Auto gas price was also re-fixed at Tk 44.70 per litre against the current price of Tk 47 under the price adjustment procedure. “This price will be applicable for the month of May until further adjustment in the Saudi CP,” said BERC Md Abdul Jalil, while announcing the new price through virtual briefing on Thursday. "The private companies' LPG price was re-fixed on the basis of Saudi CP," he told reporters. Normally Saudi biggest oil company Armaco announces its CP for bulk LPG at the concluding state of every month for next month’s transactions. Read LPG operators to get services under one roof soon Most of Bangladeshi private companies import their bulk LPG from the Middle-East on the basis of Saudi CP and market it in the country.  The BERC for the first time fixed the retail level LPG price on April 12 after holding a public hearing to comply with a High Court order. About 20 private companies have been operating in the market with more than 95 per cent market share by annually importing 1.2 million metric tons of bulk LPG from mainly Middle-East while the state-owned LP Gas Company is locally producing 25,000 MTs of LPG from locally produced condensates at different gas fields. Also read: Pvt companies’ 12 kg LPG price fixed at Tk 975, govt’s 12.5 kg at Tk 591

The autogas stations and conversion workshop owners have formed a new body named "LPG Auto Gas Station and Conversion Workshop Owners Association."

Speakers at a webinar have urged the energy regulator to fix the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a rational way through public hearing.

The High Court on Sunday issued a contempt of court rule against the chairman of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Md Abdul Jalil as he failed to fix the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in line with an earlier court decision.