Saturday, October 13, 2012

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) anti-leak safety device

by Flor Jackson
Concerned with the proper use of the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) anti-leak safety device, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has asked every household owners who are using this safety gadget if the unit they are using for their LPG tanks are safe to use.

The question was asked by the DTI because it has been observed that LPG anti-leak safety device are flooding the market now which according to DTI, the safeness of said equipment has not been assured that it will not cause fire accidents.

In the liquified petroleum gas or LPG industry, the "anti-leak" safety device refers to the excess flow limiter or otherwise known as excess flow valves. These valves according to DTI automatically closes if there is an excess flow of gas that usually happens if holes develop in the LPG hose and tubings.

Because of this, the DTI declared that the safety device cannot safely protect the holes in other parts of the LPG such as the copper tube hose, thread leak in the connection area and accidental fire caused by stove that was left open.

DTI added that some stove users, open valves at low level because by doing so, detection of small pin holes at the LPG tubings becomes easy, however, this will also cause the eventual stoppage of the supply of gas that flows in the tube from the tank to the stove.

In order to avoid fire accidents resulting from the wrong installation of these LPG anti-leak device, DTI advised household owners who are using this kind of device to consults and seek the services of a technician who is an expert in installing this gadget and likewise certified by the Philippine LPG Association.

Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines and Constitutional Change

The blessing of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines to the ongoing nationwide consultation and advocacy campaign on Constitutional Amendments being implemented by the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines is a breakthrough.

While the Senate and Lower House are in a stalemate to amend the Constitution, the momentum is building up in the local level, OFWs, business groups, private organizations, non-government organizations and even among the churches.

With the Catholic bishops backing, the nationwide consultation and information drive could now go full blast with new vigor and elicit widespread discussion, meaningful participation and wider support. As this happen more people will be empowered to make informed decision, inevitably the constitutional shift is coming to a head.

Meanwhile, a people's initiative by Sigaw ng Bayan has so far gathered seven million signatures for the shift. Election officers have verified a minimum of three percent required from 198 districts with only 15 to go.