Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), Fire Rescue Victoria, (FRV), Country Fire Authority (CFA), and The Alfred have launched a campaign to help remind the community about new, safer barbecue connections.
ESV is launching its 2022 Know the Drill Before You Grill campaign, reminding Victorians, including those in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, about a simple safety tip to protect from barbecue-related LPG cylinder fires and explosions.
Every summer, firefighters are called to LPG cylinder-related incidents with severe cases resulting in people being rushed to hospital trauma centres.
To combat this, ESV has led the introduction of new Australian Standards over the past 18 months, resulting in new barbecue connections and cylinder valves that when imperfectly connected will not leak gas, even if the cylinder has been turned on.
If the hose connection has been disconnected or the cylinder valve has been left open, gas will not flow, reducing the risk of an explosion or fire.
The LCC27 barbecue connection also features a thermal cut-off, which stops gas from flowing if there is a fire at the cylinder connection. While the rubber seal inside the new valve is also protected from exposure so it is less likely to deteriorate and need replacing. It can be checked when the cylinder is being refilled.
The key benefit of the new connection and valve is reducing the incidence of house fires and injuries with firefighters called to at least one LPG barbecue-related fire each week last summer.
These incidents mostly occurred when barbecues and cylinders weren’t properly connected or were damaged.
ESV said the safest thing to do, if you a barbecue with the new connection but an older cylinder, is to is swap the old cylinder for one featuring the new connection at local hardware stores or service stations.
Know the Drill Before You Grill also highlights this simple safety message, calling for barbecuers to connect their cylinder and barbecue, turn the gas on and squirt soapy water on the connections. If no bubbles appear, you’re safe to cook.
If you see bubbles, turn off the gas immediately and re-check the hose and connections to make sure they are tight. If bubbles continue to appear turn the gas off and have the connection replaced.
“This new technology is something ESV has led the delivery of in order to protect the community against incorrectly connected LPG cylinders,” ESV commissioner and chairperson Marnie Williams said.
“If you do have a barbecue with the new connection, you need to ensure your gas cylinder has the corresponding valve. You can easily replace old cylinders with new cylinders at your local service station or hardware store.
“While this is an important step in protecting lives and property, we also encourage Victorians to carry out the simple soapy water test every time they use their barbecue.”
Details: esv.vic.gov.au/knowthedrill.
