Just like other forms of energy, LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas) is safe when treated properly.

A correctly installed, serviced and maintained system should ensure the safety of your gas installation.

This booklet provides safety tips for the safe operation of an LP gas powered vehicle. If you have any safety concerns regarding the gas system, contact an appropriately licensed auto gas fitter.

The Gas Standards (Gasfitting and Consumer Gas Installations) Regulations 1999 require automotive LP gas installations to comply with the requirements of Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1425 LP gas fuel systems for vehicle engines.

By law, any installation, servicing or repair work to the LP gas system must be carried out by an auto gas fitter who is appropriately licensed by EnergySafety. Auto gas fitters are issued with a Class E permit.

It is easy to check if an auto gas fitter is licensed by simply requesting their licence number and checking on the licence search facility on our website.

Gasfitting is a job for the experts – always employ a licensed auto gas fitter.

Unauthorised and do it yourself work is illegal and can result in prosecution because it puts people at risk.

Australian Standards require LP gas containers to be inspected and tested every 10 years.

This test expiry date showing the month and year is stamped on the gas container. In some cases, it may be difficult to see the date. Your auto gas fitter may be the best person to advise when the gas container is out of date.

Out of date containers must not be filled until tested and re-stamped at a certified test station.

Filling LP Gas containers that are damaged or untested is illegal and dangerous.

If the 10 year certification period will expire before the next regular vehicle service, arrangements should be made for the gas container to be reinspected and restamped at a certified gas cylinder test station as soon as possible.

Approved test station contact details are available from auto gas fitters, licensing centres or EnergySafety.

The auto gas fitter who converts your vehicle must:

• Fit a compliance plate in a conspicuous position within the engine compartment. The compliance plate is a statement from the auto gas fitter confirming compliance with regulatory requirements. It includes additional important information such as installation date and container serial number.
• Fit LP gas identification labels (red diamond shaped) to the front and rear number plates. These labels identify that the vehicle is equipped to use LP gas as a fuel.
• Provide you with operating instructions and a copy of the notice of completion specifying that the work complies with the Gas Standards (Gasfitting and Consumer Gas Installations) Regulations 1999.

After your vehicle has been converted to LP gas, it is your responsibility to have the installation checked by a vehicle examiner at a licensing centre of the Department of Transport. Some auto gas fitters may provide this service for you.

If you are purchasing a converted LP gas powered vehicle, you should ensure the plates and labels are fitted and the registration papers are in order.

Note: The badging requirements do not apply to vehicles that have LP gas engines fitted at the time of manufacture. The vehicle registration plates will be fitted with the identification labels on the number plates.

• Familiarise yourself with auto LP gas operating instructions before use.
• Familiarise yourself with the location and operation of the manual service solenoid valve – see the following page.
• For safe and reliable operation of your LP gas system, ensure all installation, servicing and repairs are carried out only by licensed auto gas fitters.
• Check that your vehicle complies with regulatory requirements, ie has compliance plates, identification labels and vehicle registration papers.
• Do not overfill your vehicle’s LP gas container. When the trigger on the fuel dispenser shuts off, stop filling the gas container – it is dangerous to fill beyond this point. The container capacity is limited to allow for the expansion of liquid LP gas stored in a filled container as the ambient temperature rises. A device called an automatic fill limiter is used to automatically shut off the flow of liquid gas when the container is 80 per cent full.
• Check that your insurance company has been notified that the vehicle has been modified to operate on LP gas.
• Ensure that the LP gas system has its regular safety checks, at least annually.

An automotive LP gas installation needs to be checked from time to time to ensure it has not deteriorated below a safe standard. Discovery of operating faults may arise from an owner’s observation or from a random check, but a scheduled check at set intervals is considered necessary in case deteriorating system goes unnoticed.

Have regular safety checks of your LP gas system at least annually, to ensure that the system has not deteriorated, the various safety devices are operational and to check and repair any leaks, damage or corrosion that may have occurred.

Also, have your LP gas repairer or motoring organisation check the gas container date stamp at your safety check. If the date stamped is approaching but not more than 10 years before the next regular safety check, it may then be able to be reinspected and restamped at a certified gas cylinder test station.

If you smell LP gas:

1. Turn off the ignition.

2. If it is safe to do so, turn off the manual service solenoid valve in a clockwise direction located on the LP gas container (refer to picture in the brochure).

3. Ensure that there is no ignition source near the vehicle and do not attempt to re-start the engine.

4. If you are unsure, or the gas leak does not stop, then telephone 000.

5. If the smell does not disappear, DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. Call your LP gas repairer or motoring organisation for assistance.

6. If the smell of gas disappears, call your LP gas repairer or motoring organisation for assistance.

If the gas installation has been damaged for example, due to an accident or gas has been released through a leak, you must follow the steps detailed under ‘in case of a gas leak’, if it is safe to do so.

Report gas incidents, accidents, gas releases, fires etc and obtain emergency advice by telephoning 1800 678 198 free call all hours.

LP gas is heavier than air and if not dispersed, tends to accumulate in low lying areas.

The Department of the Environment is responsible for ensuring the quality of fuels, such as petrol, diesel and LP gas for vehicles, under the Commonwealth legislation Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

Department of Transport
Licensing Services:
Telephone 13 11 56

Department of the Environment
Telephone (02) 6274 1111

Department of Commerce
EnergySafety:
Telephone (08) 9422 5200