Pirate parts to blame for explosion

Preliminary reports show that pirated parts used on the gas cylinder are to blame for the explosion that left Mr Josef van Rooyen in ICU with first and second degree burns.

Van Rooyen’s wife, Hannelie said previously that they had sent the gas bottles off to Johannesburg for further inspection. The matter was picked up by CADAC who conducted a thorough investigation which revealed that pirated parts were to blame.

“We are disturbed with the accident that happened in Witbank, we have conducted an urgent investigation from the photos, the physical cylinder and cooker and reports received from the accident,” said Mr Milosh Despotovic, CADAC general manager.

A detailed report was released by CADAC regarding the incident, naming a number of faults found during the investigation, namely:
– The repair centre or whoever did maintenance or valve replacing used unqualified or pirate parts;
– The proper procedure of replacing the valves was not used;
– The filler who filled the cylinder did not pick up that there was a pirate valve and did not provide a checked, inspected and qualified cylinder to the consumer;
– The valve used is not a CADAC valve but is a copy (pirated version) of a CADAC valve.

“We sent the report to Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association (LPGASA) for their further investigation and inspection, and we would like to, on behalf of CADAC, send our thoughts and well wishes to the family involved,” said Despotovic.

Despotovic further added that they have requested further investigation and inspection by LPGASA, asking them to clamp down on use of pirate parts, unqualified cylinders and processes and gas filling stations – protecting the market from illegal and pirated parts and copies.

“The filler should have detected the pirate part and refused to fill the cylinder and should not have passed it through testing. It is doubtful if any test was carried out at all,” said Despotovic.

Despotovic offered Cadac expertise and knowledge to the LPG Gas Safety Association, since CADAC has been manufacturing and testing cylinders and appliances in South Africa for over 60 years.

The further investigations lead by the LPGASA are expected to give their answer with regard to this incident which nearly cost Van Rooyen his life.

Van Rooyen was admitted to ICU for severe burns on Sunday, March 26. He was transferred to Ward 6 in Witbank Hospital on April 3 and continues to receive treatment at the capable hands of the doctors and nursing staff.

READ ALSO:

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/89399/father-critical-icu-gas-explosion/

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/90261/father-way-recovery-gas-explosion/