Safer gas, safer homes

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Muharraq councillors have backed a proposal to replace metal gas cylinders with plastic ones after a blast in Arad last Wednesday tore through homes, businesses, and places of worship.

The explosion, which damaged more than 20 businesses and five homes, has renewed concerns about gas safety, leading to a push for change.

The move comes amid renewed fears over the risks posed by traditional metal cylinders. Council member Ahmed Al Moqahwi said the explosion showed the need for a shift, adding that several Arab and Gulf countries, including the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, had already made the switch.

“These cylinders are in use in more than 70 countries, and Bahrain should not be left behind,” he said.

Advantages

He said plastic cylinders had clear advantages over their metal counterparts.

“A plastic cylinder weighs only 5.3kg, compared to the 17.5kg weight of a metal one,” he said. “They don’t rust, won’t explode, and can handle temperatures from -40°C to 65°C, which makes them suitable in all conditions.” He also pointed out that plastic cylinders are easier to store and harder to steal, as they can be kept inside kitchens rather than outside.

Indoors

“Keeping them indoors cuts down on theft and lowers the risk of explosions in homes, labour camps, and restaurants,” he said.

On the matter of cost, he said a large plastic cylinder was priced at around BD25, with a smaller one going for BD17.

In one GCC country, a 12kg version had originally been priced at BD35, while a 6kg model cost BD27, but a BD10 government subsidy was later introduced to bring down prices.

Transition

He added that old metal cylinders could be scrapped, recycled, or exported, giving companies handling the transition a way to cover costs.

He dismissed concerns that the new cylinders could be misused in riots or acts of vandalism.

“They’re built to be far safer than metal ones, and that includes making sure they can’t be used for anything beyond their intended purpose,” he said.

The explosion, which was caused by a gas cylinder, resulted in extensive damage, according to initial findings from the Interior Ministry.

Several vehicles were also damaged, with three said to be beyond repair.