Gas supply firms must take responsibility and bear the costs of improved protection measures by installing safety shutoff valves and microcomputer gas meters for household users, the Consumers’ Foundation said on Thursday following a leak that caused blazes in Hsinchu County last month.
Officials said the June 24 incident was due to damage to a control valve at a supply terminal in Jhubei City (竹北), leading to excess flow of gas, as the normal gas pressure of 200mm of water gauge spiked to about 1,000mm of water gauge within a few minutes.
When household users turned on a gas stove or water heater, the excess pressure burst open the control valve and resulted in leaks that caused fires at several apartment buildings in Jhubei.
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Seven people sustained injuries and a teenager is fighting for their life after suffering severe burns, officials said.
The foundation in a statement said that Hsinchu Gas Co, which is owned by the Hsinchu County Government, urgently needs to enhance safety measures for household users, with the priority to install safety shutoff valves that cut off the flow of gas when the pressure is too high.
The valves cost NT$350 to NT$400 each, the statement said.
“It is not too expensive and lasts for more than five years, protecting the lives and property of household users. It also benefits the gas company as it reduces leaks, helping the firm avoid the high costs of financial compensation for people hurt in gas explosions,” the foundation said.
The foundation urged the nation’s gas firms to foot the bill and install safety shutoff valves for all customers.
The foundation also urged the firms to install new microcomputer gas meters, which cost more than traditional gas meters, but are safer.
Currently customers must apply for a new meter and pay the installation and replacement fees themselves, so not every customer is willing to upgrade, it said.
“It is unreasonable for gas firms, who are making profits, to transfer the cost burden of installing new meters to its customers,” the foundation said.
The foundation said that gas explosions result in serious injuries and fatalities, as well as damage to public and private properties.
“Therefore gas firms should make more regular inspections to check all pipelines, control valves and switches. Also authorities should make regular safety inspections, and also unannounced inspections, at all gas depots,” it said.
The foundation said that people should ensure they are using gas devices which conform to safety standards, and install safety shutoff valves and a new microcomputer gas meter.
If there is a smell of gas in the household, the foundation urged people not to turn on any electrical appliances and immediately open windows and doors to provide ventilation, then turn off the gas and arrange a safety check.
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