Dubai: Sensors to detect gas leak are being installed in a Dubai community where a blast, caused by gas leakage in an apartment, killed an elderly woman in 2016.
Al Khail Gate in Al Quoz is the first Dubai residential community to install these sensors as part of its developer’s move to switch to composite LPG cylinders in the community.
As first reported by Gulf News, “explosion-proof’ composite LPG cylinders will be made available to Al Khail Gate residents to enhance safety and reduce risks to the tenants.
Once the entire system is in place, the sensors being installed now will detect gas leakage and will trigger fire alarm. It is expected that the new cylinders will be supplied to the tenants after the installation of sensors in the entire community is completed.
The developer, Dubai Properties (DP), had earlier announced a ban on the use of metallic LPG cylinders in Al Khail Gate following a blast, caused by gas leakage in an apartment, resulting in the death of an elderly woman. Her daughter was critically burnt and their apartment was destroyed after the flash fire and the explosion in August 2016.
DP said in June this year that it had partnered with Emirates Gas (EMGAS) to provide residents access to safer cooking gas by deploying state-of-the-art LPG composite cylinders.
The new lightweight composite cylinders are considerably safer than the traditional metal cylinders and comprise helically woven fibres, combined with resin, making them uniquely secure. Labelled as ‘explosion-proof’, the cylinders can withstand a pressure burst two times over regular metal cylinders.
Arif Mubarak, CEO at DP’s asset management arm, said the upgrade will include an LPG leak detection system connected to a new fire alarm technology and create a resilient infrastructure that prevents mishaps.
He said an LPG piping network will further enhance the pioneering system that is automated, environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Dubai Properties is implementing the system in support of Dubai Civil Defence’s ‘Home Safety Package’ launched in October last year.
EMGAS, as the main supplier of the LPG composite cylinders, is also responsible for all related installation across Dubai Properties’ communities, the developer said.
