Portable Gas Bottles & Butane Cartridges: Top Safety Tips

How to Safely Use a Portable Gas Bottle

Although convenient, inappropriate storage, transportation, use and maintenance of gas bottles and butane canisters can be dangerous, so it is essential to become familiar with proper handling to ensure your safety.

SAFE STORAGE:

• Gas bottles should be stored upright at all times, in a well-ventilated area outside.
• Storage should also be out of direct sunlight and in a cool area. Don’t store or use gas bottles in cellars or below ground level.
• Valves should be turned off when the gas bottle is not in use.
• Gas bottles should be stored away from flammable liquids and aerosols.

SECURE TRANSPORTATION:

• Gas bottles should be carried upright at all times.
• If transporting a gas bottle in a car, the gas bottle should be no more than 9kg, as well as being positioned upright, and firmly secured.
• Only two gas bottles should be transported in a single car.
• Keep gas bottles out of direct sunlight.

SAFE GAS BOTTLE USAGE:

• Always read the manufacturer's instructions before use.
• When installing to a stove, heater or gas light, ensure this is done correctly as per the manufacturer’s standards.
• If you can smell LPG (smells like rotten egg or car exhaust) suspect there is a gas leak: 
  • In an emergency, call 111
  • If safe to do so, turn off the gas supply at the valve and turn off all gas appliances. Leave electrical appliances or switches as they are – a flick on or off could cause a spark and ignite the gas.
  • Keep open flames including cigarettes away from the area until the gas dissipates.
  • Use soapy water to check where your gas is leaking. If you see bubbles then there is probably a leak. Turn off the valve, move the cylinder to a ventilated area, then contact your gas supplier.
• Sometimes gas fails to ignite properly. If that happens, turn off the supply and wait a couple of minutes, to let unburnt gas disperse before you try again.
• Portable gas bottles and butane gas stoves should not be used indoors or in confined spaces
• Take caution when using LPG fuel in windy condition as burners can blow out.
• When disconnecting, shut off the valve first, and keep away from flames.

GAS BOTTLE MAINTENANCE:

• Refillable gas bottles need to be retested every 10 years.
• Do not use a naked flame to check for leaks, you should instead cover the suspected leak with soapy water and check for bubbles. NEVER USE A MATCH to find a leak.
• Do not tamper with the valves.
• If your appliance is malfunctioning – stop using it.

How to Safely Use a Butane Gas Canister

Similar to other bottled gas, it is essential you take the necessary safety precautions when using butane gas canisters.

SAFE STORAGE:

• Butane gas canisters should be stored out of direct sunlight in a cool area, well ventilated space away from consumables.
• Ensure storage is in a well-ventilated space away from flammable liquids, aerosols sparks, open flames and hot surfaces.
• After use, remove the gas canister from the stove. Cap the valve of the canister and store in a cool area, well ventilated area. Do this even if the canister is empty. Do not store your canister inside or attached to your stove.

SECURE TRANSPORTATION:

• Keep canisters upright in a storage container and with the lid securely in place.
• Ensure gas canisters are kept out of direct sunlight during transit.
• Never dispose of empty canisters by throwing them in the fire. They may not be completely empty and will explode. Respect the outdoors, pack out what you pack in.

SAFE CANISTER USAGE:

• Always read the manufacturer's instructions before use and use butane products according to the manufacturer's standards.
• Butane gas stoves should not be used indoors or in confined spaces. Ensure that you are in a well-ventilated area and have adequate air flow over the top and sides of the unit.
• Take precautions to avoid inhaling butane when using it for cooking, heating or lighting.
• Take caution when using butane fuel in windy conditions as burners can blow out.
• When using pots or pans, do not use one that is larger than indicated in the manufacturers instruction manual. They will concentrate heat backwards towards the butane canister causing it to overheat. Gasmate 220gm canisters are fitted with twin safety devices - Triple Seam Seal (TSR) and Rim Vent Release (RVR) that will activate in an over pressure situation to safely release the pressure built up. Learn more about butane canister safety features here.
• Butane stove should not be operated for longer than what is recommended by the manufacturer. Check your manual for these recommendations.
• If you have a butane fire, do not try to extinguish a butane-caused fire until the source of the gas can be turned off.
• Avoid leaving a lit stove unattended or placed near flammable items during use.
• If you smell a gas leak, put out all the flames and turn off the stove immediately. Do not use appliances if they are giving off a smell as this indicates leaking gas or emissions linked to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If your appliance is malfunctioning – stop using it.

GAS CANISTER MAINTENANCE:

• Periodically inspect the valves in your stove to ensure there is no damage and never tamper with the valves.
• For all gas appliances speak to a gas appliance professional if you unsure about how to make it safe for use.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING:

• Camping appliances must be used in a well-ventilated area. In New Zealand, the majority of deaths associated with the use of camping appliances have been attributed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Without proper ventilation, stoves, barbecues, heaters, lamps or other gas appliances can give off poisonous carbon monoxide.
• A faulty appliance may also emit carbon monoxide even in well ventilated areas. Ensure you are taking the required safety steps and if you smell gas, immediately stop using your appliance.
• Carbon monoxide is highly toxic. While carbon monoxide is odourless, it is accompanied by other emissions that may produce a ‘rotten egg or car exhaust’ smell.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning can produce the following symptoms: Headaches; Nausea; Dizziness; A desire to sleep. Prolonged exposure or high levels of carbon monoxide will result in collapse, unconsciousness and even death.
• If you suspect a person is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning move them outside immediately to fresh air, call for medical assistance and monitor them constantly until help arrives and be prepared to start CPR if necessary.

Gasmate is your go to for LPG & Butane Gas

Gasmate is an industry leader in gas bottles, barbeques and accessories with a commitment to exceptional safety standards and innovative design. Gasmate camping cylinders have a long-standing reputation of reliability and safety, as well as being certified to New Zealand standards. Available in a range of sizes, including 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, and 9kg. Gasmate gas bottles have been manufactured to store LPG at above atmospheric pressure.

The Kiwi camping butane cartridge range is suitable for portable gas stoves, butane lanterns and lights, camping stoves and other approved butane canister devices. The range consists of 220gm PowerFuel canisters with twin safety devices as well as 230g and 450g screw type connection canisters which are designed for safe and easy operation.