Afrox plans ahead for winter LPG demand
Contingency plans to ensure the availability of LPG for domestic and commercial use ahead of the winter months are well underway, confirmed Afrox, the leading distributor of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Handigas supplier today unveiled it is making every effort to stockpile imported gas to supplement reserves obtained from local oil refineries. The first shipment of LPG is due in Richards Bay early May and Afrox has reinforced its transport infrastructure to ensure prompt delivery of gas from the port to customers.
However, Afrox warns that while it has been investing in new Handigas cylinders over the last two years, the industry continues to be plagued by illegal filling and this could lead to cylinder shortages at peak demand during winter.
“While we are trying to ensure increased availability of LPG and cylinders, we would urge the public to get their Handigas right now to avoid the last-minute rush which creates the supply chain bottlenecks we see every year,” says Gerhard van Wyk, Business Development Manager LPG at Afrox.
“Past winters have been characterised by shortages of locally produced LPG and available cylinders in South Africa, exacerbated by the instability of electricity supply at this time of the year and increased LPG demand due to residential and business users increasingly switching to Handigas as a more reliable source of energy,” adds van Wyk.
Customers should check for the Afrox red seal on the valve of Handigas cylinders which assures:
all the safety checks have been carried out at each fill the cylinder has been correctly filled to the right quantity of gas purchased
the quality of the cylinder or the gas is guaranteed
customers will get Afrox service back-up if the cylinder or gas is faulty; and
customers are not the victims of an illegally filled cylinder.
Handigas is available through an extensive Afrox network of Gas & Gear sales centres, and at selected Builders and Buildit hardware stores. To find your nearest retail centre, call the Afrox Customer Service Centre on 0860 020202, or go to afroxhandigas.co.za to search for Handigas availability by region, city and cylinder size.
Editor Notes:
Handigas is the brand name for LPG sold by Afrox which is a clean burning fuel that provides energy users a safe, efficient and economical alternative for a diverse range of applications including heating, cooking, hot water, braaing, camping and hiking.
TIPS FOR THE SAFE USE OF GAS CYLINDERS
When transporting, storing and using gas, it is important to remember that LPG is in a liquid form in the cylinder, and that gas is heavier than air. Gas cylinders should therefore always be transported, stored and used in the upright position on a firm surface. If gas leaks from a cylinder that is lying down, the cylinder will leak 275 times more gas. If the gas cylinder cannot stand up securely, for example in the boot of a car, always transport the cylinder inside a car, behind the passenger seat, pushed up tightly against the back seat to prevent the cylinder from falling over while driving.
DO
Follow the instructions supplied with your gas and self-igniting appliances Treat gas cylinders with care
Transport, store and use gas cylinders in the upright position
Check that the rubber ‘O’-ring on the regulator is in place and is in good working order before connecting to the cylinder
Store or use gas cylinders in well-ventilated areas
Immediately turn off the gas at the cylinder valve and open all doors and windows should you smell gas. Disconnect and move the appliance and cylinder outside and reconnect and re-open the gas. Brush the connection and hose joints with a soapy water solution. Bubbles will indicate a leak. Contact your nearest Handigas dealer for assistance
DON’T
Leave a gas cylinder in a parked car for more than one hour
Issued by: Serendipity Events, Promotions & Exhibitions
On behalf of: Afrox
Editorial contact: Loll Thomson (011) 467 2133
Mail to: loll@sepe.co.za
Client contact: Gerhard van Wyk
Gerhard.vanwyk@afrox.linde.com