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Thursday, July 12, 1973
"DISASTROUS RESULTS" FROM FAULTY GAS APPLIANCES ON PLEASURE CRAFT
The Marine Department today warned the owners of small craft about
the dangers involved in keeping on board faulty or badly fitted appliances
using liquefied petroleum gas (bottled gas).
A spokesman for the department said that there had been a number
of serious fires and explosions on such boats due to leakage of bottled gas,
from faulty fittings or poorly sited and improperly maintained appliances.
Owners are therefore advised to have the system expertly fitted and
sited, and it should be overhauled regularly. The gas should be turned off
when not in use, and a special leakage check made each time it is used.
The spokesman explained that bottled gas is heavier than air, and
if allowed to leak from containers or piping it will flow to the bottom of
the compartment,
In that condition, the gas forms an explosive mixture with air and
can be ignited by various means, including lighted cigarette butts and sparking
electrical equipment.
Also, escaped gas can be drawn into the air intake of an internal
combustion engine leading to an "uncontrollable speeding up of the engine
which may lead to disastrous results," he said,
Further information can be obtained from the Small Craft Licensing
Section of the Marine Department.
J
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