L.P.G. feared near schools

Press, 14 June 1983, Page 6

L.P.G. feared near schools

Liquefied petroleum gas installations should not be permitted in service stations close to homes and schools, according to Dr N. J. Peet of the University of Canterbury’s chemical engineering department. Dr Peet made the statement at a public meeting in Linwood yesterday evening. It was called to discuss an application by the Dallington Service Station to install a three-tonne L.P.G. tank. The garage, on the corner

of Woodham Road and Gloucester Street, is near the North Linwood Primary School and there are houses nearby. More than 30 residents attended the meeting in spite of Christchurch’s heavy fog and cold temperatures. They were concerned about the possible accident risk. The Christchurch City Council has received two other applications; one for a site in Edgeware and the other to install a one-tonne

tank at the service station in Richmond. Dr Peet said that L.P.G. was a high performance, clean-burning fuel but that it was expensive and would probably stay that way. For that reason, it was unlikely that many private motorists would convert to it.

L.P.G. filling tanks would • not be needed “at every corner,” he said. Half a dozen scattered round Christchurch would be sufficient, particularly if firms installed their own supplies

He emphasised that the probability of a serious accident occurring was minute, but said that there might be arguments against allowing L.P.G. tanks to be installed in residential areas.

If the fuel was to be used, it would have to be stored somewhere, but the communities immediately affected should be allowed to contribute to the discussion with access to expert assistance and all the relevant information, he told the meeting.

Petrol and electricity also presented some dangers. The difference with L.P.G. was the speed with which a disaster could occur. Under control it was safe. The risk came when it was “let loose,” he said. Because it was stored under high pressure, it was released very rapidly if the container was ruptured. Small escapes usually produced localised fires, Dr Peet said.

It was only when the volume exceeded 15 tonnes that explosions occurred. In that case the impact might be equivalent to a mediumsized bomb going off, he said.

The meeting was chaired by Cr Geoff Stone, who said that none of the applications for L.P.G. installations received by the council met the requirements of the Dangerous Goods Act. The companies concerned, would have to revise their plans because there was no power of dispensation under the act, he said. Until that had been achieved, there would be no point in holding a.tpwn planning hearing on the proposals.