Driving an LPG-run car or playing with fire?
H. Kishie Singh

DON’T say you didn’t know. Once again, there has been an incident that shows that LPG-run cars are unsafe. To save money at the risk of lives (there could be many involved), does not seem to be a very good idea. As a matter of fact, it is a downright anti-social activity. You are endangering public lives and property.

An LPG-run car is an improvised explosive device — IED — a term associated with terrorists and their nefarious activities. The police has the right to challan you.

To convert your car to run on LPG would be illegal if sanction is not obtained from the State Transport Authority (STA), which registers your car. You may recall that when you fill in the application for registration, the STA requires the make of car, type of engine i.e. run by petrol or diesel or CNG, number of cylinders and so on. This is your car’s birth certificate. You cannot tamper with this document, which is called Registration Certificate (RC). If you make any changes to the vehicle, like change the petrol engine to a diesel engine, the vehicle no longer conforms to the information on the RC. This is not acceptable to the authorities, hence it is illegal.

The proper procedure is to apply to the STA for conversion. Once you have received permission, you may convert the engine. The engine number of the new engine must be reported to the STA, which will then issue a new RC.

This procedure could be cumbersome enough for most people to ignore the whole exercise as a waste of time.

But keep in mind that an LPG-run car, with a full cylinder in the back, is an IED. It’s a travelling time bomb. It will go bang! You just don’t know when. Proof of this was exhibited recently at Aroma Chowk in Chandigarh when an LPG cylinder leaked and caught fire.

There was another incident in Sector 45 when a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen. The housewife suffered burn injuries from the resultant fire. While on the subject of fires, how many of us own a fire extinguisher? Everyday we strike a match may be half a dozen times a day or more or put on a lighter to light the gas. Every day we play with fire — in the most literal sense. Have you given any thought to putting out a fire in case of an accident? And accidents do happen.

Household fire extinguishers are available in plenty in the market. They are about the size of a one-litre plastic bottle and should cost about Rs 250 to Rs 300. You should have one in the kitchen, one in the garage and one in the car.

The accompanying photograph shows the damage a fire can cause to a car. It was due to an electric short circuit in a petrol engine car. It was all over in a flash with intense heat being generated by the synthetics in the cabin. The steering wheel melted, the dashboard and instruments melted, the glass either shattered or melted, the engine block melted, the tyres went up in flames. Only the metal bulk of the framework survived. The metal frame of the seats survived.

At a time like this a fire extinguisher would come in most handy.

And if you go out to buy a fire extinguisher, buy one extra.

Bring them home, read the instructions and actually use one. It is good training. Swift action and presence of mind are two of the most effective fire retardants. Do not panic, keep a cool head. Knowing how to handle the fire extinguisher would be a great help. At moments like this, you won’t have time to read the instructions.

The fire extinguisher should be kept handy. Most come with a bracket then can be fixed to the wall. Do not keep it next to a possible source of fire like the cooking range. In case of fire, step back and away from the fire. This is where the fire extinguisher should be.

If the extinguisher is placed close to a possible source of fire, you would be obliged to go close to the fire, which is not recommended. Step back, grab the extinguisher and spray. Stand well away from the fire. Fire can spread unexpectedly with lightning speed. Close all doors and windows. It will contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. It will also cut off the oxygen required for combustion.

In case you have a fire in the engine well of your car, be ready to spray the engine the minute you lift the bonnet. Opening the bonnet immediately introduces oxygen which causes the fire to flare up. Be prepared for this. Lift bonnet, spray on the fire and be ready to lower the bonnet fast.

Here’s hoping you never have to do this, but be prepared.

Happy motoring!