GNFS Cautions Against Use Of Substandard Cylinders

Assistant Director of Safety, Ghana National Fire Service GNFS, Doi Michael Ato Korsah has urged Ghanaians to patronize the Appeb Cylinder to help reduce the increasing cases of domestic fire outbreaks which are mostly attributed to cylinder explosions.

Speaking at the launch of Appeb’s cylinders in Accra Mr. Korsah noted that fire outbreaks over the years have caused a lot of property loss due to the use of substandard cylinders by the public.

He added that the service embarked on a similar unannounced visit to the Appeb cylinder manufacturing company, and noted that the new standards of the cylinder have been designed to effectively reduce the many incidences of fire outbreaks caused by substandard gas cylinders on the market.

The Appeb standard for the volumetric expansion test is higher than the 4706 local standards and the 22991 international standards, the burst test is beyond the 100 bar as per the requirements by the Ghana Standards Authority, and the minimum coating (orange) thickness is usually between 30-35% more than the minimum required standards and with a unique serial number to enhance identification and to ensure traceability.

Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi indicated that the Appeb Cylinder Manufacturing Company was established under the government’s flagship program to produce adequate and quality cylinders for households in the fight against the gas cylinder explosion which has robbed many properties and lives.

He urged the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and other state regulators to frequently visit the manufacturing company to supervise his operations to ensure they keep up with standards.

Board Chairman, Appeb, Ebenezer Appiah assured the minister of upholding the approved standards to reduce gas cylinder explosions in the country. He also urged the Ghanaian community to patronize the cylinder product to expand its operations.