The newly launched fiberglass liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder does not explode and is safe for domestic use, said Saad Bin Abdullah Al-Twaijri, Director General of Civil Defense, after conducting a 30-minute high-flame test at its premises in the capital. Video footage of the test was issued showing two fiberglass gas cylinders exposed to open flames for around 30 minutes to prove that the product was safe for use in homes, restaurants, hotels, factories, and even gas stations. The test was conducted at Civil Defense premises in the presence of officials from Ragasco, the Norwegian manufacturer of the fiberglass cylinder. Teams of high-ranking officials from Civil Defense, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO), National Gas Company and Fire Services Department with standby fire engines were present during the experimental test. “This is an experiment done by the Civil Defense to ensure that the newly launched fiberglass cylinder does not explode when exposed to fire and extreme heat,” said Dr. Khalid Qasim, president of Leyan Al-Sharq Trading Company, the sole distributor of the newly launched LPG cylinder in Riyadh, quoting from the certificate and video recording that he received from Civil Defense. “Civil Defense therefore recommends the domestic use of this fiberglass cylinder in Saudi Arabia,” the certificate says. Siraj Bin Muhammad Masoudi, SASO Deputy General Manager, said the fiberglass cylinder fully conforms to the standard specifications required in Saudi Arabia. SASO also issued a quality certificate which said that the product was light in weight and also ideal for outdoor use such as desert camping. Dr. Al-Qasim added that the newly launched fiberglass cooking gas cylinder is not a replacement for existing metal cylinders, but that both would be available at gas stations. “It's up to the consumer to choose,” he said. Meanwhile, Civil Defense on its official website posted a picture titled ‘snapshot of the week'. The photo shows a child approaching a hot stove in a domestic kitchen. Civil Defense authorities have urged parents to protect their children from stoves, the usual cause of domestic fire accidents.
