New Cylinders Can Explode

Investigations by the Ghanaian Observer (GO) newspaper has established that the rate at which new imported gas cylinders, purportedly manufactured mostly in some of the East Asian countries, are flooding the local market could be dangerous to consumers. The markings on these gas cylinders, which indicates manufacturing date, water capacity, serial numbers among other critical information about the cylinders are not shown at all or clearly not shown on them.

Further investigations by GO newspaper indicate that serial numbers of these cylinders, which could be used to trace orders when there is a fault on the cylinder are not consistent, making it difficult to recall in case there are defects on the products. Additionally, checks by this paper revealed that the burst pressure, chemical composition of the parent material as well as the thickness of the parent material of these products are in serious question. A number of standardization experts in the industry told GO that these cylinders are manufactured in their countries of origin without taking into consideration the climatic conditions pertaining in Ghana which could place high risk in Ghana with its tropical weather conditions.

Although there has not been any report of any explosion yet, we will soon start recording explosions,” one such standards expert told this paper. He cautioned that because of the differences in weather conditions in Ghana and that of the countries of origin of some of the imported cylinders, little heat-up expansion can take place which could result in explosion.

According to the sources, despite the fact that goods from outside the country are supposed to undergo tests of certificate of conformity or certificate of analysis to allow producers to import their consignments, some of these products get into the country through unapproved routes and therefore without checks. GOs investigations revealed that despite the high prospects for the explosion of these gas cylinders, most Ghanaians prefer to purchase these cylinders on the market because of their low prices compared to other quality cylinders. This negative development is due to the inability of most consumers to distinguish between the quality and inferior gas cylinders on the market. To such customers, the primary consideration is price.