Warning for LP gas cylinder adaptors

What happened?

A fire at an LP gas leisure cylinder (9kg) in Western Australia has resulted in a person suffering serious burns to 15% of their body. The injured person was hospitalised for further treatment.

How did it happen?

The incident is currently under investigation by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) in Western Australia.

It is known that an adaptor was being used to make the connection between a barbecue and a 9kg LP gas cylinder. The adaptor was being used to convert a type 27 (LCC27) connection to a type 21 (Prest-O-Lite = POL) connection.

Key issues

The Australian standard AS/NZS1596 The storage and handling of LP Gas was amended in 2020 to prohibit the use of adaptors to convert type 21 (POL) to type 27 (LCC27) connections. Stating adaptors on cylinder valve outlets creates a potential hazard due to the risk of gas leaks and inadvertent separation.
Threads of an LCC27 to POL adaptors are opposite, meaning a POL thread is left-hand and an LCC27 is right-hand.
Tightening an LCC27 connection onto an adaptor may loosen the POL connection at the cylinder valve due to the opposing threads.
As of 1 April 2022, all new and retested LP Gas cylinders must have the new safer LCC27 valve.
- The LCC27 valve is compatible with both POL and LCC27 appliance connections. (see image 1)
- Cylinders in circulation will not be fitted with a LCC27 valve until they are retested, LP Gas cylinders are required to be retested every ten (10) years.
- A POL valve is not compatible with a LCC27 appliance connection.
As of 1 April 2022, all new gas appliances must be supplied with a LCC27 appliance connection.
- Older barbecues and other portable appliances will have type 21 (POL) appliance connections.
- The LCC27 cylinder valve can be used with a POL connection of an older appliance.

Recommendations

LP Gas cylinders with either POL or LCC27 valves are currently available, and caution is required when purchasing or exchanging cylinders to ensure connections between an appliance and the cylinder are of the same type – DO NOT USE ADAPTORS.
New gas barbecues (and other portable appliances) are supplied with a LCC27 appliance connection, ensure you upgrade your cylinder (LCC27 valve) when buying a new appliance – DO NOT USE ADAPTORS.
When connecting a portable appliance to an LP Gas cylinder, make sure connections are compatible – DO NOT USE ADAPTORS.
If the gas hose, regulator, or POL connection of an older appliance looks fatigue or damaged contact a local authorised service agent or a gas work licence holder to upgrade to a gas hose assembly with an LCC27 connection.

Investigations are ongoing and further information may be published as it becomes available. The information in this publication is what is known at the time of writing.

We issue Safety Notices to draw attention to the occurrence of a serious incident, raise awareness of risks, and prompt assessment of your existing controls.

References and further information

Schedule 2 of the Petroleum and Gas (Safety) Regulation 2018 lists AS/NZS1596 The storage and handling of LP Gas as a safety requirement.
AS/NZS1596 The storage and handling of LP Gas is published by standards Australia.
Information on the transition of LP Gas cylinder connections is provided by the GTRC Technical bulletin 14.
For more information visit: Gas safety | Emergency services and safety | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Current Queensland legislation is available here: In force legislation - Queensland Legislation - Queensland Government
This alert may be updated with relevant information when the outcome of the investigation by DMIRS is available.