Transporting gas cylinders safely: a guide for dealers and delivery staff

Gas dealers deliver cylinders every day to homes, food stalls and restaurants. Transporting gas cylinders the wrong way — carrying them lying down, strapping them loosely, dropping them from the vehicle — can easily dent the cylinder, damage the valve and cause a leak on the road. Below are the basic principles for dealership owners and delivery staff.

Choosing the right vehicle for transporting gas cylinders

• Motorbikes: suitable for single deliveries in residential areas; a carrier rack fixed to the bike is needed to keep cylinders upright, and no more than the permitted number should be carried.
• Cargo tricycles, small trucks: used when delivering several cylinders or 45kg cylinders to restaurants; the cargo area should be well ventilated, with a frame or partitions to hold cylinders in place.
• Vehicles carrying large quantities between the warehouse and the filling plant: must meet the requirements for vehicles carrying dangerous goods under current regulations.

Do not carry gas cylinders in an enclosed space such as a car boot: if there is a leak, the gas will build up and can ignite very easily.

Principles for loading and securing cylinders on the vehicle

1. Cylinders always stand upright, with the valve at the top. A cylinder lying down can roll, strike the valve, and liquid gas can flow into the valve assembly.
2. Close the valve and fit the protective cap before loading the cylinder; check that the seal is intact. The valve is the part most easily damaged by knocks — see LPG cylinder handwheel valve.
3. Secure firmly with straps or a holding frame so that cylinders do not knock into each other or roll when braking hard or cornering.
4. Keep gas cylinders separate from passengers, petrol and oil, chemicals and other flammable items.

Safety throughout the journey

• Never smoke or use a naked flame on the vehicle or when standing next to a vehicle carrying gas.
• Do not park for long in strong sun or near a heat source; high temperatures increase the pressure inside the cylinder.
• Carry a suitable portable fire extinguisher on delivery trucks.

Load and unload with care

Dented cylinders, broken handles and bent foot rings are usually caused by dropping cylinders from the cargo area onto the ground or dragging them across the floor. Staff should lift and lower cylinders by hand or use a mat or a trolley; 45kg cylinders need two people or a handling aid. Back at the warehouse, stack cylinders as described in storing LPG cylinders in a dealer’s warehouse.

If you find a leak on the road

1. Stop the vehicle in an open area, away from homes and sources of ignition; switch off the engine.
2. Do not strike a flame, do not switch electrical equipment on or off, and do not use a phone close to the leak.
3. Close the cylinder valve if it is safe to do so; lift the leaking cylinder off the vehicle and stand it upright in a well-ventilated place.
4. Keep people nearby well away; never use a flame to look for the leak.
5. If it cannot be brought under control or there is a fire, call 114 immediately and inform the dealership.

Delivering cylinders to customers’ homes

• Carry the cylinder into the home by hand or on a trolley; do not roll it across the floor.
• Check the seal and the inspection date on the cylinder again before handing it over.
• Fit the correct type of regulator, tighten it and test for leaks with soapy water — see how to check for gas leaks at home.
• Remind the customer to place the cylinder in a well-ventilated spot and close the valve when not in use.
• Collect the old cylinder and note its serial number to update your LPG cylinder management records.

Staff training and regulatory compliance

LPG is classed as dangerous goods, so transporting gas cylinders must comply with current regulations on vehicles, drivers and signage. Dealers should train staff in fire prevention and in what to do when gas is smelt, and regularly check vehicles, carrier racks and straps. When preparing to open a new outlet, see also opening an LPG dealership.

For customers who sell food from carts, dealers can share our article on gas for mobile food carts, which covers choosing between mini gas and a 12kg cylinder, securing the cylinder, closing the valve while on the move and daily checks.

Frequently asked questions

Written by the VietnhatGas technical and sales team — a batch manufacturer of LPG cylinders. This content is for reference; regulations and standards may change, so please check the current texts.