Gas detectors must also be mandatory in homes!

The cylinder explosion that occurred on the ground floor of a building in the Torbalı district of İzmir, killing 5 people and injuring 63 people, brought the issue of occupational health and safety to the agenda again.

Reminding that the term "cylinder blast" is often misunderstood, and that the main problem is that the gas leaking from the cylinder explodes with a small spark when it reaches a certain density, the Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety Asst. Prof. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "There should be detectors to prevent a cylinder explosion. First of all, this is the most important issue. When the gas is at the level of 1 percent, the detector warns. When the warning comes, the owner of the restaurant or the waiters should close the cylinder, prevent the gas coming out, open the doors, and then the other people who are there should be taken out."

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "We need to learn from such accidents, improve the safety culture and implement the necessary precautions. Natural gas should be used, and detectors must be made mandatory in industry. It is important to enact legislation so that gas detectors are mandatory in homes."

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan and Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl evaluated the cylinder explosion incident that occurred on the ground floor of a building in Torbalı district of İzmir, causing the death of 5 people and the injury of 63 people, in terms of occupational health and safety.

When the gas coming out of the cylinder rises to a certain level, an explosion occurs with a small spark

Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that the term "cylinder explosion" is generally misunderstood, and that the main problem is that the gas leaking from the cylinder explodes with a small spark when it reaches a certain density, and said, "When the gas coming out of the cylinder rises to a certain level, an explosion occurs with a small spark. When we say cylinder blast, we understand it as 'the cylinder is splitting', it is not. There must be detectors so that there is no cylinder blast or an explosion from the leak. Primarily, that's the most important. When the gas is at the level of 1 percent, the detector warns. When the warning comes, the owner of the restaurant or the waiters should close the cylinder and prevent the incoming gas exit. They need to open the doors. Then the other people who were there have to be taken out."

Natural gas should be turned off at home when going on vacation!

Reminding that in a similar situation in homes, the gas should be cut off and then the door and window should be opened. Member Rüştü Uçan said that "We should definitely turn off the natural gas when we go on vacation. Let there be no build-up. A tiny spark is all needed. When someone calls our phone, even a tiny spark inside the phone is enough for the explosion. Because it is gas. Or if we open the refrigerator or turn on the lamp, an explosion occurs. We need to perceive this very well."

Cylinder hoses need to be replaced every 2-3 years!

Pointing out that the connections of cylinders and industrial cylinders should be made correctly, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "These hoses should be replaced every 2-3 years in connections made with hoses. The hose ages on its own, cracks. Leaks can occur through these cracks. Such problems can also happen. We need to replace the hoses every 3 years. If there is a leak or smell, we need to change them. There are also special pipes of the industrial type. Those need to be used.”

Both LPG and natural gas have certain explosion limits

Üsküdar University Department of Occupational Health and Safety Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that LPG used in industrial cylinders is a petroleum-derived gas consisting of propane and butane, and Bingöl reminded that this gas accumulates on the ground because it is heavier than air while natural gas accumulates above because it is lighter than air.

Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "Both gases have certain explosion limits. While the explosion limit of natural gas is 5 percent by volume, the explosion limit of LPG is around 2-2.1 percent. That is, LPG becomes explosive with a smaller amount of accumulation. In terms of explosion risk, both gases are considered within the scope of ATEX (explosive atmospheres) and in these environments, it is necessary to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere, not to ignite it if it has occurred, and to take measures to reduce the effects of the explosion if it has ignited. These measures are the responsibility of the employer within the framework of the relevant legislation and regulations."

Is a natural gas explosion the same as an LPG explosion?

Bingöl noted that as a result of the leakage of LPG in the industrial cylinder, when the gas exceeds 2 percent by volume, and it creates an explosive environment. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "In this case, an explosion will occur if the gas cannot be diluted. The explosion has a destructive effect. It smashes walls, shatters windows, and can injure or kill people. There is no big difference between a natural gas explosion and an LPG explosion. Both are flammable and explosive. The only difference is that natural gas is lighter than air and accumulates above, while LPG is heavier than air and accumulates on the ground. Therefore, necessary precautions should be taken to prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres related to both gases."

Automatic cutters are not common in industrial cylinders

Pointing out that the use, causes and safety measures of the industrial cylinder in the place where the explosion occurred in İzmir should be questioned, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "The forensic investigation will reveal the reasons for the use of cylinders. If natural gas had been used, there might have been no explosion due to the necessity of a gas detector, because the detector would have detected the gas density and cut off the gas. Industrial cylinders may have detectors with manual alarms, but automatic breakers are not common. It is important to question whether there are such detectors in workplaces. It should also be investigated whether occupational safety experts have carried out risk assessments. These issues will be clarified through a forensic investigation.”

All apartments need to be approved

In the process of issuing a license to open a business on the lower floor of a seven floors building, the approval of all apartments must be obtained; however, most people do not question the use of flammable materials or the presence of natural gas detectors in this process. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "The lack of security culture causes the necessary inquiries not to be made for the safety of the people around. By learning from such accidents, we need to develop a safety culture and implement the necessary precautions. Natural gas should be used, and detectors must be made mandatory in industry. It is important to enact legislation so that gas detectors are mandatory in homes."

The suffocating gas should not be forgotten, the environment should be ventilated quickly

Emphasizing that detectors are effective equipment in preventing gas leaks and that their use should be made mandatory, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "Detectors should be installed for personal safety in places where it is not mandatory. To improve security in industrial areas, it is recommended to use two detectors. Periodic checks of detectors are important. Otherwise, defective detectors can lead to disaster. Natural gas leaks can be detected by smelled natural gas. In case of leakage, precautions must be taken such as not touching the electric buttons, not using fire, not entering with a mobile phone, and ventilating by opening the windows. Moreover, one should not forget about the suffocating gas. Therefore, it is important to quickly ventilate and leave the area. Citizens should be informed about this.”

Inspections in living spaces need to be intensified

Stating that the accidents due to natural gas and industrial cylinder explosions reveal the need for awareness, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "Residents of the building need to have information about the workplaces on the ground floor and make a risk assessment. It is important that such businesses are regularly audited. It is seen that businesses that receive a license from the municipality are not inspected for a long time even after receiving a fire brigade report, which increases the risks. While inspections are carried out regularly in Organized Industrial Zones, these inspections must be increased in living areas."

Watch out for the ovens too!

Emphasizing that it should not be forgotten that in addition to natural gas explosions, the flour used in furnaces is also flammable and explosive. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "Dust explosions occur when substances such as flour become explosive like natural gas when suspended in the air. There are such risks in bakeries. Residents of the building should be informed about the use of hazardous substances such as natural gas and flour by the workplaces on the lower floors and a risk assessment must be made."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)