Regular test and awareness needed

Cylinder explosion incidents are happening in different places, leaving many casualties and economic loss. Last Saturday afternoon, such an incident happened at a bakery located in the ground floor of a building in Chokbazar in the capital’s Lalbag area. Nine people were injured, of which five were burnt in the explosion. Among them, condition of five people was very critical. According to the media reports, one of them died at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

According to sources, cylinder explosion incidents are happening due to use of low quality cylinders. In this circumstance, standard cylinders should be used instead of low quality to avoid such incidents. Otherwise, deadly incidents can occur not only in hotels and residences but also in vehicles. According to experts, the cylinders which are used in vehicles require 3200 pound pressure per square inch; otherwise it can create deadly accidents. As per system, cylinders and its kits should be re-tested regularly, otherwise it can cause an accident.                

Although there is a system to test the capacity of a cylinder regularly but many do not follow this. Besides, low quality and old compressors are being used in cylinders. The concerned authorities should take steps in this regard so that number of accidents can reduce.

According to Explosive Directorate, a date expired cylinder is more powerful than a bomb. But it is unfortunate that many of us don’t test cylinder regularly. Experts opine that there need a law like BRTA’s fitness to make cylinder test compulsory. It will create awareness and help reduce casualties and economic loss.

We expect that the government will take pragmatic steps to create awareness in a bid to reduce number of cylinder explosion cases.



risingbd/Dhaka/ Feb 28, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Mukul/Augustin Sujan