Liquigas says it is raising standards in gas distribution
Liquigas, the company which had taken over responsibility for the sales and distribution of LPG (bottled gas) has announced initiatives to improve safety.
In a statement issued this morning, the company said it had embarked on a process to facilitate the use of LPG in Malta and upgrade it to international standards.
"Last year, Liquigas took over responsibility for the sales and distribution of LPG. Enemalta is still responsible for the operation of the Gas Division Plant in Qajjenza and the filling of gas cylinders, until we build the new state-of-the-art LPG storage and filling plant in Benghajsa," said Roberto Capelluto, Liquigas Malta’s CEO.
New seals
As from this month, Liquigas introduced a new sealing system on LPG cylinders. The green seals can only be mechanically installed at Enemalta's LPG filling plant at Qajjenza.
Apart from their safety feature and the elimination of tampering, these quality green seals do not come off the cylinder valve before the customer actually decides to make use of that cylinder. Furthermore, a green seal is no longer re-useable once taken off a cylinder.
New cylinders and valves
Liquigas said that in November it introduced 15,000 new 12 kg cylinders and another three hundred 25 kg cylinders. A further 10,000 new 12 kg cylinders were placed on the market in March 2010. These new cylinders are in the distinct Liquigas' green color; ultimately all Liquigas cylinders will be green in color.
Since February last year, Liquigas also financed 45,000 new cylinder valves. In the meantime, batches of existing cylinders are regularly being sent to Italy for retesting according to EU and local regulations.
New regulators
Liquigas is also introducing a new regulator, known as Liquicontrol Malta. It is designed to be attached on the valves of cylinders supplied by Liquigas, safely and easily, just by turning the ‘on/off' knob.
Made of plastic material, the Liquigas green-coloured regulator is produced according to UNI EN 12864 regulations.
"The fact that it is made of plastic offers two fundamental advantages. The plastic encasement does not corrode. Secondly, in case of overheating or fire, the internal part of the regulator melts down, thus automatically closing the cylinder valve and trapping the gas inside," the company said.
The display on top of Liquicontrol is equipped with a red gauge to indicate that there is gas pressure in the cylinder. The red gauge will disappear only in case of leakages. The regulator ensures a constant gas flow, irrespective of the cylinder pressure. It can also be used on other equipment, like barbecues, gas heaters and similar appliances, which require a higher LPG flow.
The company in its statement made no reference to gas prices, despite reports, confirmed by the Malta Resources Authority, that it has applied for an upward revision.
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john fenech
Apr 8th 2010, 18:18
On the 18 of March, I twice reported, that a sealed LPG gas cylinder was leaking gas from the value housing. It is simple and easy to check by applying a soap test. I missed Friday, because it was a public holiday and reported again on Saturday.
When I queried if the service was interrupted on a public holidays the Liquidgas front desk said that a leak is a serious matter and service is 24*7! But did the technician know? In fact when he called late on Saturday morning he said that he was only aware of the fault on Saturday morning. Where is the problem? Is it Lack of communication or training?
Furthermore to remove the present seal on the 12 Kg LPG cylinder one must break it, hence it is tinker proof and could not be reused. As regard the gas regulators the present clip on had been approve by Enemata to EN12864 standard therefore contrary to other information it is to EU specification. Also Irrespective of flow control an overheated cylinder can explode.
Therefore in the absence of other information I fail to see how MRA will accept a price revision unless it is downwards!
Lawrence Fenech
Apr 8th 2010, 16:39
The only raised standards by Liquidgas are the prices, in their favour ofcourse.
Mario Borg
Apr 8th 2010, 16:17
"Liquigas is also introducing a new regulator, known as Liquicontrol Malta..."
The current regulator is safe and has an on-off switch. Frankly I think someone plans to make a killing on supplying new regulators which one has no option but to purchase.
M. BONELLO
Apr 8th 2010, 15:55
Please Mr Liquigas, instead of cosmetic improvements, I would like to have:
1 a rusty yellow cylinder
2 an inefficient metal regulator
3 a rude, noisy gasman at inconvenient hours
and a reduced price to match.
Life is expensive enough as it is without unecessary, improved cosmetics/gizmos to make the utility cost more!! Everyone can see both through the hype and between the lines.
H Galea
Apr 8th 2010, 15:29
Increasing the standard, does it mean the weight was not correct? or somebody was tempering with them ? We were receiving between one to two kilos less?
Pls teach the GAS MAN some manners On Honking the Horn so early in the morning. He either passes silently leaving customers without service, thene we have to go by car to pick the cylinder. Perhaps he does so for overtime. Here the rule of the jungle applies all over the country.NO ONE RESPONSABLE
Charles Muscat
Apr 8th 2010, 12:58
Just for the record, LPG stands for Liquid Petrolium Gas.
P.Cassar
Apr 8th 2010, 12:38
Joe Public please read: INCREASE IN PRICES AGAIN.
Remember how successive Pn govts used the same trick every time tranport fares were increased!!!!!
Pamela Hansen
Apr 8th 2010, 11:52
The title claims raising of standards in distribution, but there is nothing in the news story to say how the distribution system will become efficient and customer friendly. It is currently hardly up to standard.
Joseph Tabone
Apr 8th 2010, 11:42
May I suggest that LiquiGas studies the potential introduction of LPG for motorcars. It should be cheaper for motorists to run their cars and better for the environment. A bi-fuel conversion kit exists for cars running on petrol. This system is already used widely in Italy.
Ramon Mangion
Apr 8th 2010, 10:42
@ Joe Scerri Totally agree with that 100%, and their horn is not that friendly either hehe
E Gatt
Apr 8th 2010, 10:40
The world price of oil is increasing at a worrying rate (presently US$85). Oil related products such as LPG is bound to go up, so expect an increase in the price soon.
Those among us who conveniently pretend they cannot understand the basic economic laws of demand and supply will predictably blame privatisation, PN and the government. Unless we strike oil, we will feel the pinch when the price of oil increases. We are not an oil-producing country like Kuwait and Lawrence Gonzi, Joseph Muscat or anyone else for that matter cannot change this sad fact.
China's demand for oil jumped by an "astonishing" 28% in January compared with the same month a year earlier pushing prices up. Perhaps Doctor Joseph Muscat should ask China to use less oil and bring the price of oil down.
g.c.Forte
Apr 8th 2010, 12:00
You are talking nonsense.............Because Gonzi is finding money to waste in stupid projects, like Piano/ Gonzi, Dar Malta in Brussels, extension of a mystery Power station, St. Georges Square, and others, and is not finding money to subsidizes the energy........The whole thing turns around, because we joined the E.U., and we are restricted not to subsides. Besides, the P.N. have been in government for more than 20 years, and never saved a penny ( euro ) for a rainy day, like the English says.
g. scerri
Apr 8th 2010, 09:43
Enjoy the benefits of privatisation folks.
g.c.Forte
Apr 8th 2010, 10:54
You call something " Benefit " when you are given something , with out giving any thing for. In this case we are to be given painted cylinders, and new seals " I wonder why " , and we are going to pay for these,obviously by a little raise on every cylinder. So,in this matter, it does not fall under the benefit category, it goes under the category of taxes,tariffi,aggustamenti....ect...ect...
lgalea
Apr 8th 2010, 13:31
scerri, I don't know whether you said that tongue in cheek, but if you didn't please tell that to all the gas users who saw the price of gas shoot to three times its previous price and it appears that now with the new cylinders that are being introduced they will also have to incur the expense of new regulators and throw away their perfectly good regulators. That's privatization for you.
Maurice Bajona
Apr 8th 2010, 22:35
That is monopoly for you .
N. Pace Debono
Apr 8th 2010, 09:41
Very well...improvement is very welcome...although im still waiting for the day when we can have regulators which have gauges on them to know how much gas is actually left in the cylinder.
Charles Sammut
Apr 8th 2010, 10:50
I doubt whether that is technically possible with a simple pressure gauge. If they could make cylinders transparent, like lighters, then you would be able to make a visual check. But then they will have to be handled like eggs; unlikely.
The LPG is liquid and stays at the bottom of the cylinder. It exerts a vapour pressure which does not vary much with the amount of LPG in the cylinder. The best way to know how much is left is to weigh it on your bathroom scales. If you weigh it when you buy it and again when it runs out completely, you can confirm that you were in fact supplied with the correct amount of LPG.
lgalea
Apr 8th 2010, 13:34
Charles Sammut but then it would be too late for you to make a claim because you would have used the gas.
joe scerri
Apr 8th 2010, 09:34
May I suggest to Liquigas that it issues instructions to its distributors to stop the very annoying habit of honking horns every minute to signal their presence? This is most unwelcome at 6:30am.
Sandro Schembri
Apr 8th 2010, 09:24
I have been trying to purchase 2 new cylinders from Liquigas for the past two months, unfortunately without any success. Following numerous attemps with the local distributor, I have placed an order with the Qajjenza Depot over three weeks ago still without success. Can Liquigas be kind enough to indicate when the new consignment will be available ?
Sandro Runco
Apr 8th 2010, 09:21
Is this an excuse to tell us that the price will shoot up again? As for the standards, i suggest to the company to have a look at the state of the cylinders. My last refills were filthy (to say the least) with oil and with cement. When i asked for a replacement it was refused. The man also made a point to tell other delivery drivers (parked outside qajjenza filling point) about my issue just in case i would ask somebody else for a replacement. His comment was 'naddafhom int'.
If this is the service and that is the price, i would rather see Liquigas improving its client facing standards then smacking around with media hype.
g.c.Forte
Apr 8th 2010, 09:19
Dan hu kollu tidwir mal lewza, ghax min ma jafx iwahhal ic cilindru, jista jigi ingannat. Ahjar tejdulna b` kemm ser tghollu l-prezz ta kull cilindru, ghax bhal ma jghejdu, ta xejn hadd ma jghamel xejn.
M. Mizzi
Apr 8th 2010, 08:43
STANDARD excuse for STANDARD forthcoming RAISING in price, usually accompanied with reduction in content.
K.Anastasi
Apr 8th 2010, 08:35
"Raising standards" ... maybe in somethings....but when I wanted to buy a gas cylinder without replacement at one of the pick up points.... I couldn't, I had to order by phone! Then had to wait for the gas man to deliver....a reduction in service according to me!
J Farrugia
Apr 8th 2010, 08:31
Is this statement a prewarning that the company wants to raise the price of gas once more, with all these 'new' benefits which they are giving to the gullible customers? Somethink stinks here.