Despite Sharjah Ban, LPG Cylinders Still in Use

SHARJAH - A large number of cafes and restaurants in Sharjah are still using LPG cylinders despite a ban imposed by the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) after the introduction of piped gas supply in the emirate.

Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of SEWA, had issued an order recently banning the use of LPG cylinders by commercial outlets, industrial workshops, cafeterias, coffee shops and 
restaurants.

Violators of the ban who are found using both piped natural gas as well as gas cylinders would be fined Dh10,000 and in case of repetition of violation the fine amount will be raised to Dh20,000.

Tariq bin Deemas, head of Gas Directorate in SEWA, said the authority’s inspectors are not going to knock on the people’s doors to check whether or not piped gas is being, but if an LPG cylinder-related accident occurs, the user will be fined.

He also pointed out that is LPG cylinders are being used by restaurants and food outlets, which also have gas pipeline, they will be fined as well.

Bin Deemas said, “We want to connect the maximum number of areas with the piped natural gas network in order to minimise the usage of gas cylinders at home because they have resulted in a number of accidents that jeopardised the safety and the lives of many people.