Extra checks on gas cylinders following three fires in a week

Updated 2.39pm with Liquigas statement -

The consumer authority and energy regulator are upping checks on gas cylinders and regulators, after three separate gas-linked fires were reported during the past days.

A 70-year-old man died as he tried to escape a fire sparked by a gas heater malfunction, and a few days later a man in Paola was hurt when a gas cylinder in his home exploded. On Tuesday, firefighters put out a gas-lit fire in Qawra before anyone was hurt.

In a statement, the Regulator for Energy and Water Services said that the three incidents did not seem to be related, but that it was nevertheless working with the MCCAA to ensure cylinders and regulators met safety standards.

Checks and lab tests on regulators and valves to ensure they meet EU specifications are expected to take 15 days, REWS said. Additional checks on cylinders will see regulators visit filling plants to ensure gas tanks being sold have passed recertification tests.

According to law, cylinders have their valve replaced and must undergo a recertification process every 10 years.

"The authorities need to emphasise that individuals and companies placing appliances, gas cylinders and regulators on the market, are responsible to ensure that the products conform to all the safety specifications according to legislation," REWS said.

Liquigas: Cylinders are regularly checked

In a statement, Liquigas said its gas cylinders are regularly tested and certified.

It said recent incidents did not involve explosion of gas cylinders. One was the result of a defective appliance and the other was due to a cracked rubber pipe. Another incident is under a magisterial investigation and no further statement can be made until the inquiry is concluded.

"All Liquigas green and yellow cylinders are filled in a modern €25 million state of the art facility at Benghajsa, which tests each individual cylinder before being distributed in the market," the company said.

"Cylinders are also regularly tested and certified by TUV, a technical inspection association that conducts testing to international standards and directives that are endorsed by leading quality and safety marks."

The Maltese authorities also oversee the filling operations and have always found that Liquigas cylinders comply with all regulations, it said.

Customers were urged to ensure that appliances are well maintained and that the regulator and rubber hose are in a good condition.

"Some regulators on the market are not of good quality. In any case, regulators should be replaced every 10 years. The old regulator should be disposed of immediately so that it is never used or installed again. Regulators are precisely set by the manufacturer to control the pressure of the supply, and therefore they must not be adjusted privately," the company added.

Only hoses specifically manufactured to serve as a gas pipe should be installed. These should be regularly checked for possible cracks and, moreover, replaced every five years.

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