A famous dumpling restaurant in Taitung recently suffered a gas explosion and injured three people. The Fire Department reminds business establishments to take precautions.

The Fire Department reminds you of precautions when replacing gas. (Provided by Fire Department)

Recently, a liquefied petroleum gas leak occurred at a well-known dumpling restaurant in Taitung, causing a gas explosion and fire. Three people were sent to the hospital with burns and scalds. Fortunately, their lives were not in danger. The Fire Department pointed out that gas dealers should provide guidance to business operators on the safety precautions for placing containers outside in a well-ventilated area and changing containers by themselves. When supplying gas, if it is found that the business premises has poor ventilation, the container is placed in a position where liquefied petroleum gas can easily accumulate, or the container is not secured with chains or fences to prevent tipping, etc., immediate improvements should be made.

The Fire Department stated that at the time of the gas explosion, restaurant employees replaced gas barrels in the kitchen without turning off surrounding fires, causing the residual gas to encounter the fire source and cause a fire. In order to avoid similar accidents, business premises are required to confirm the replacement process in accordance with the "Administrative Guidelines for Safety Management of Business Premises Using Liquefied Petroleum Gas Containers". Business premises should implement safety management, implement regular equipment maintenance, and strictly follow safe operating procedures to prevent gas explosions, fires and other disasters to ensure public safety.

The Fire Department reminds that business place managers should assign personnel to inspect containers and pipelines in accordance with the "Autonomous Checklist for Container Use in Business Places" attached to the guideline, and at least once every two weeks; when containers are replaced, the replacement personnel should be guided by the guidelines to confirm the replacement process; before replacing the container, be sure to close the user-side container valve and surrounding fire sources within 2 meters; employers of restaurants and other business places that use gas should provide new or current employees with necessary education and training in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.