Gas safety: Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)

Guidance on the safe use of LPG for cooking and heating to avoid the dangers of fire, explosion and carbon monoxide.

Published June 2026, replacing April 2022

On this page you'll find:

Hazards
Safety controls
Equipment
Additional information
Useful links
Frequently asked questions

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) is a colourless, highly flammable gas used as fuel for heating and cooking appliances. To help detect leaks, it has an added distinct smell that is detectable by most people at low concentrations. LPG can be harmful to people through breathing it in, being in contact with it, or by causing a fire or explosion risk.

This guidance is written in line with advice from Liquid Gas UK and UK legislation including Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

These regulations require the safe installation and maintenance of gas appliances, and the safe storage and handling of LPG cylinders. They also require making sure that equipment is suitable for its intended purpose and is maintained and used by competent people.

Anyone using LPG equipment must understand how it works.
Servicing and repairs must be carried out at least annually by a Gas Safe engineer.
Only a competent person (someone who has the necessary skills, experience and knowledge) should connect or disconnect cylinders, appliances, or regulators.
Follow the manufacturer's guidance. If you’re unsure how to operate something, ask a trained or technically knowledgeable person to show you.
If you have any concerns about an appliance, do not use it and contact the supplier or a Gas Safe Engineer for advice.

Hazards

Poor ventilation
Incorrect use of gas cylinders and cartridges
Equipment malfunction
Carbon monoxide
Gas inhalation
Skin contact with gas and rapidly discharging/discharged containers
Gas leaks
Fire or explosion

You can include the following in your risk assessments, along with your plans for how to respond to incidents, making sure that everyone knows what actions to take in an emergency.

Safety controls

Adequate ventilation

Make sure there is adequate ventilation and clearance in enclosed spaces. If you need an outdoor sheltered cooking area, use a gazebo or a tent porch with good air circulation and ventilation. When using appliances in mess tents, party tents or marquees, keep the doors and ventilation mesh open at all times.

Correct use of gas cylinders and cartridges

Stand in a stable, upright position.
Place in a well-ventilated area, away from any heat source.
Place outside of the cooking tent so that the valve can be reached quickly in case of a fire. Do not keep the cylinder under a cooking table as this could prevent access to the valve if a fire starts.
Use a suitable lightweight cover to protect larger cylinders from heavy rain or strong sun.
Take care when disposing of empty gas containers and follow local waste disposal arrangements. Never throw them on a fire, as any gas residue inside could lead to an explosion.
Never place cylinders below ground level, such as in a ditch. LPG is heavier than air, so any leaking gas can pool in low areas and be at greater risk of ignition from naked flames.
Make sure you are familiar with the way the cartridge or cylinder fits on the appliance or regulator.
Check that the cartridge is aligned and fully screwed in, with no leaks, before lighting the appliance.
Don't change the fuel container inside your tent. Change it outside and away from naked flames and hot appliances.

Correct use and checking of equipment

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Check that the appliance has the correct gas type and that there is enough gas in the cylinder.
Have all gas appliances serviced annually by a qualified and Gas Safe Registered engineer.
Regular visual inspections can be carried out by a competent person. They should check the equipment before each use to make sure it is in good condition.
Place stoves on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, such as a metal plate, to prevent overheating.
Do not use in strong winds and never leave stoves unattended while lit.
Do not overload with large or uneven cookware.
Check that the cartridge is aligned and fully screwed in with no additional leak, before you light it. Don't use an appliance if the gas can't be sealed properly. Where there are retaining levers to keep the gas cartridge in place, do not force them into position, which may damage the connecting parts.
If soot forms when burning, shut off the appliance and have it serviced by a Gas Safe Engineer before using it again.
After use, close the cylinder valve and allow any gas remaining in the system to burn off. Leave the appliance valve closed. This prevents gas from escaping when you reopen the cylinder valve before lighting the appliance.

Correct detection for Carbon Monoxide and understanding the symptoms

Make sure you have an audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm that meets British Standards. This helps protect you from exposure to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. It’s important to have the right type of alarm for where you are using it:
- BS EN 50291‑1 alarms are designed for indoor residential buildings, such as meeting places, and buildings that have permanent accommodation.
- BS EN 50291 2 alarms are portable and designed for use in temporary or mobile settings, such as caravans, campervans and camping.
Alarms should be positioned, maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the advice given within Think CO: Carbon Monoxide Awareness for Scouts on My Learning.
Alarms have a 10-year service life. Record the date it goes into service on the device so that it is clearly visible.
Brief people about what to do if they hear the CO alarm go off. Always treat it as a real emergency.
Raise awareness of carbon monoxide and the symptoms to look out for, this is a vital safety control.

For further information about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, you can (see separate page)

Managing exposure to LPG gas

Inhalation of the gas may cause you to feel unwell. Evacuate or remove the source of gas, then open windows and doors to ventilate the area.
Contact with the skin may cause frostbite, which needs hospital treatment. You can help by removing any jewellery or restrictive clothing from the affected area and wrapping the injury in something warm like a dry towel. For more information on how to treat frostbite, see the Frostbite - NHS guidance.
Low level exposure is not be expected to cause any adverse health effects. However, if you have any concerns about exposure to LPG, contact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice.

Understanding what to do when you suspect an LPG leak

If you suspect a leak of LPG, notice a distinctive smell or hear a hissing sound:

Extinguish all naked flames and close cylinder valves.
Stop using all appliances.
Evacuate the area or premises immediately. Try to stay calm.
Only tackle the leak/exposure if you are confident to do so.
NEVER search for a gas leak with a naked flame. Trace it by smell and confirm it by brushing suitable leak-detecting fluid over the suspected joint.
Do not go back into the area or premises until the emergency services say it is safe to do so. Do not use the equipment again until the leak has been repaired.

Get help – call the National Gas Emergency Service number on 0800 111 999 to report the incident.

Having adequate firefighting equipment

Dry Powder Extinguishers (Class B & C) are the primary choice for gas fires (natural gas, LPG, propane, butane).
Fire blankets are useful for small, contained fires, especially in kitchens.

Having an Emergency Plan for fires or explosions

LPG is highly flammable, so you will need to have a written plan for what to do in an emergency. Make sure all Leaders have read and understood the plan. You may wish to consider:

Emergency contact information, roles and responsibilities
Fire response procedure
Gas leak response procedure
Evacuation plan
How to isolate gas supplies
Communication methods

In case of fire, call 999 (or 112) immediately:

Tackle the fire if you are confident to do so:
- Try to turn off the cylinder valve, and move the cylinder away from the fire
- Use a Powder or CO2 extinguisher if the fire is smaller than a wastepaper basket
Evacuate to more than 200m away from the fire, or behind a solid object or wall.

Equipment - using the right equipment for the job

Only use appliances and equipment designed for LPG. When operated and maintained properly, they are safe and reliable.

Additional information

Servicing

Make sure servicing is carried out at least annually by a qualified and Gas Safe Registered engineer.

Regular visual inspections can be carried out by a competent person. They should check the equipment before each use to make sure it is in good condition.

Keep a record of all servicing, tests and inspections. Record the dates that you fit new parts (such as hoses and clips) so you can track their time in use and mark them up accordingly.

Storage

Store gas in a secure, well-ventilated area. If possible, use a dedicated gas cage outdoors A small number of small-sized gas cartridges can be stored indoors, but keep them near floor level in a well-ventilated spot, well away from any potential ignition source.

Check with your building insurer to see if there are any additional storage requirements.

For more information, see Calor’s guidance.

Transporting gas bottles

Include the transporting of gas in your risk assessment. Gas bottles should be transported upright and secured in position throughout the journey. Avoid carrying people and gas cylinders in the same vehicle. If this is not possible, make sure there is good ventilation in the vehicle.

Carry suitable firefighting equipment to tackle a fire and make sure the driver knows how to use it.

A flammable gas sign should be displayed on the vehicle.

For more information, see Calor's guidance on transporting gas or British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) CP50: The carriage of gas cylinders on vehicles.

Useful links

	Propane	Butane
Boiling point	-42°C (-44°F)	-0.5°C (31°F)
Cold weather performance	Excellent – works well in freezing temperatures	Poor – struggles below 0°C
Canister type	Larger, heavier steel canisters	Lightweight, often in smaller canisters
Weight and portability	Heavier – less ideal for backpacking	Lighter – great for lightweight camping
Availability	May be more difficult to find unless in camping shops	Good availability
Burn efficiency	Burns hotter in cold weather	Efficient in mild to warm conditions
Storage safety	Higher pressure – requires strong containers	Lower pressure – slightly safer to store
Common use	Car camping, cold climates, RVs	Lightweight trips, summer hiking, picnics