1. Overnight Parking of LPG-Laden Vehicles in non-designated areas;
2. Illegal Storage of LPG at unlicensed locations; &
3. Other Offences (Hazmat Transport Driver Permit, Vehicle Licence)

In surprise enforcement inspections conducted by SCDF in the first five months of 2006, a total of 51 Notices of Fire Safety Offence (NFSO) were issued to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dealers, suppliers and even drivers of Hazmat (Hazardous Materials) Transport Vehicles for offences such as overnight parking of vehicles laden with LPG cylinders (See 1st photo below) and unauthorised storing of LPG cylinders in their shop space (See 2nd photo below).

Under the Fire Safety (Petroleum and Flammable Materials) Regulations 2005, household deliveries of LPG cylinders by dealers can be made between 7.00am and 9.00pm. Outside these hours, LPG cylinders shall be returned to licensed centralised stores " such cylinders should not be left on transport vehicles and parked at unapproved locations, or be stored at unlicensed premises.

In March this year, a LPG dealer was handed a NFSO carrying a S$300 fine for storing over 100 LPG cylinders in his shop space along Serangoon Road. The dealer has since removed the cylinders from his premises.

Apart from NFSOs, offenders risk being taken to court for stiffer penalties. Offenders may face a maximum fine of up to S$10,000 and / or imprisonment of up to six months for failing to comply with fire safety requirements.

In a separate case, a LPG dealer was given a court fine of $3,000 for repeatedly parking his LPG-laden lorry beyond permitted hours at the carpark behind his shop despite being given repeated warnings. On four separate occasions last year, SCDF enforcement officers had spotted the same offence being committed by the non-compliant LPG dealer and NFSOs were issued each time the offence was spotted.

Transportation of petroleum and flammable materials such as LPG is subject to a licensing process. The objective of licensing Hazmat Transportation Vehicles is to ensure that the transportation is carried out in a safe manner and that proper fire safety measures and procedures are undertaken by the licensee. Dealers are reminded of their responsibility in ensuring that the vehicles used for transportation of such materials are issued with valid transport licences. From January to May 2006, there were 31 instances whereby dealers were penalised for Hazmat Transportation without a valid transport licence.

In addition to the transport licence, the drivers of such vehicles are also required to hold a valid Hazardous Materials Transport Driver Permit (HTDP). Nine drivers have been caught driving Hazmat transport vehicles without a HTDP from January to May this year. In order to obtain the HTDP, the driver must pass a security screening and attend a one-day Hazmat Transport Driver Course at the Civil Defence Academy or the PSA Institute or other accredited institutes. Valid for a period of two years, application for the HTDP may be submitted online here.

Anyone caught in violation of the abovementioned regulations will also be issued with a NFSO. Each NFSO carries a fine ranging from S$300 to S$500.

Members of public who spot parked vehicles laden with LPG cylinders after the approved hours may call the SCDF toll-free hotline: 1800-7344-308 to report the hazard. Alternatively, a fire hazard could also be reported via the Fire Hazard e-form.