Risks of transporting LPG

Propane explosion following Rail disaster in Italy

The safe transport of LPG was brought into question after the disaster in northern Italy when a freight train carrying LPG derailed and exploded, killing a number of people and seriously injuring dozens of others.

Monday 29 June 2009 (read the article on the BBC News website)

David Openshaw, PGS Technical & Safety Director, was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 and allayed fears over the widespread use of LPG provided safe practices are understood and used. 

Brief Summary:
Propane is one of the safest gases;  it has many applications  and accounts for 65% of all  gas used.
Propane is stored in liquid form, once the liquid is released it will turn to gas at a ratio of 250:1
In an incident such as this, being heavier than air, the gas will flow downhill and combined with between 2-10% air will provide an explosive mixture, all that is now needed is a source of ignition.
These incidents are extremely rare, hence the reason LPG is used for domestic purposes

Proactive Gas Safety provide training in the safe handling and transport of Liquid Petrolium Gas (LPG)

(Exert provided with kind permission of BBC Radio 4 Tonight Programme )