Vivo Energy Campaign
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is widely used in homes throughout Mauritius. Improper usage or storage poses two hazards: inhalation of the gas or explosion. Proper steps must be taken to properly store and use LPG safely.
Goals and Objectives
It was observed that many residents were using expired, damaged or otherwise unsafe rubber hosing to connect their LPG tanks. In collaboration with Vivo Energy Mauritius, EPCO undertook outreach efforts to inform residents of the potential safety hazards and distribute new rubber hosing, including:
- Ideal length of hose
- Understanding functionality of regulator lock key
- Expiration of hose
Achievements
Out of 1650 regulators surveyed, only 46 were not expired. Rubber hoses showing expiration dates of 2005 and 2001 were frequently found. Many households surveyed were using rubber hose without an expiry. Other types of tubing were also (i.e., water rubber hose) adapted for the purpose.
Some 20 households proudly told the team that they had been using the same regulators and rubber tubing for more than 20 years.
In general, almost all rubber hoses collected were in a deplorable state and were likely to cause hazard in the near future. Rubber hose with visible cracks or partly burned by heat were very common among the tubing collected. Very few households used tie locks to fasten the rubber tubing on the burner or regulator.
Out of the 6983 families identified by the NEF living in pockets of poverty areas, 1007 families were served by this action.