Despite the rapid growth of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage in Bangladesh amid an ongoing natural gas shortage, public awareness regarding the safe handling of the highly combustible fuel remains alarmingly low, experts have warned.
Industry specialists say that most LPG-related accidents in the country occur due to a lack of preventive measures, poor compliance with safety standards, and the use of substandard equipment.
The concerns were raised on Sunday during a roundtable discussion on LPG sector safety organised by the LPG Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) and energy publication Energy & Power in Dhaka.
Bangladesh has witnessed repeated fatal explosions caused by LPG leakage in recent years, leading to deaths and significant property damage. Experts at the event noted that blame over safety failures is often shifted among stakeholders while effective preventive measures remain inadequate.
Bangladesh’s annual LPG demand is currently estimated at between 1.5 million and 1.8 million tonnes, reflecting the sector’s rapid expansion as pipeline natural gas supplies decline.
“Industry Growing Faster Than Safety Standards”
Professor Yasir Arafat Khan of the Chemical Engineering Department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology said comprehensive safety training is urgently needed for users, distributors, and retailers across the supply chain.
“There are many unauthorised storage facilities, and in many cases safety equipment is absent,” he said. “Some operators avoid installing safety tools to reduce costs. The LPG sector is growing rapidly, but safety systems are not developing at the same pace.”
He also criticised the lack of transparency following major incidents, noting that investigation committee reports are often never published.
“Without proper disclosure of findings, public awareness does not improve. Many accidents could be prevented through early warning systems and preventive action,” he added.
The professor claimed that nearly 90 per cent of LPG stations in Bangladesh operate without approval from the Department of Explosives.
“In many facilities there is no technology to quickly detect or control leaks,” he said, warning that an explosion involving an LPG road tanker could devastate a large urban area.
He also expressed concern over the illegal refilling of cylinders at autogas stations, describing it as a major accident risk.
Widespread Use Raises Risks
Professor Khan noted that LPG is now widely used in public transport, hotels, restaurants, factories, and households across Bangladesh.
He warned that LPG not only poses explosion hazards but may also affect health if inhaled in enclosed environments. According to him, gas concentrations exceeding two per cent in confined spaces can trigger explosions even without an immediate ignition source.
Referring to the deadly fire incident at Bailey Road earlier this year, he said flames spread from the ground floor to upper levels within minutes due to the presence of multiple gas cylinders and possible leakage from rubber hose pipelines.
Regulators Urged to Strengthen Enforcement
LOAB President Amirul Haque acknowledged that safety concerns in the LPG sector cannot be ignored.
“We need joint efforts from the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Explosives to ensure compliance,” he said. “The industry is willing to address its shortcomings, but we need a practical roadmap.”
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jalal Ahmed said LPG has become increasingly important due to the country’s natural gas shortages.
“The use of LPG is increasing every day. We must move forward with proposals for safety training programmes and national safety guidelines,” he said, adding that nationwide awareness campaigns should also be launched.
BERC member Syeda Razia Sultana said regulators are encouraging large buildings to adopt reticulation systems instead of relying on individual cylinders.
However, she warned that public awareness remains critical even within such systems. She also raised concerns over inconsistencies in the propane–butane ratio in LPG supplies, saying deviations from approved standards could create both financial and safety risks for consumers.
Substandard Equipment Blamed
LPG Autogas Station Association President Sirajul Maola said the sector continues to struggle with safety compliance largely because of low-quality equipment and insufficient user knowledge.
“The government approved gas stations before a comprehensive LPG station policy was finalised,” he said.
A representative from the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, Iqbal Bahar Bulbul, said household LPG explosions have increased recently.
“In many cases, users leave cooking stoves improperly closed at night. Gas accumulates overnight, and a simple electrical switch in the morning can trigger a devastating explosion,” he warned.
Calls for Stronger Safety Culture
Participants at the discussion stressed that lessons from previous accidents are rarely investigated properly, shared publicly, or implemented effectively.
They identified several major weaknesses in the sector, including poor safety culture prioritising profits over safety responsibilities; weak regulatory enforcement and oversight; unsafe maintenance practices and inadequate operating procedures; lack of gas detectors, alarms, fire protection, and emergency shutdown systems; and limited incident reporting and technical investigations.
Experts called on regulatory bodies — including the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), Fire Service and Civil Defence, and the Department of Explosives — to strengthen licensing enforcement, inspection systems, and operational monitoring throughout the LPG supply chain.
They also urged authorities to appoint competent third-party inspectors for high-risk facilities, conduct detailed accident investigations, publish findings publicly, and promote a nationwide culture of LPG safety awareness.