Installation of Burst Prevention Devices on Butane Cans to Be Mandatory Starting Next Year

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Starting next year, the installation of rupture prevention devices on butane cans will be mandatory.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 6th that it has revised and promulgated the "High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act Enforcement Rules" containing this provision.

According to the amendment, from January next year, it will be mandatory to install rupture prevention devices on butane can containers. These devices create gaps to release gas before the rupture pressure is reached, thereby lowering internal pressure and preventing container rupture. Last year, among the approximately 218,000 butane cans sold domestically, only about 23% were equipped with rupture prevention functions. The mandatory installation of rupture prevention devices on butane cans is expected to prevent accidents caused by container rupture, which accounts for 80% of butane can accidents.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained that the mandatory implementation date was set to January next year considering the preparation period for butane can manufacturers to establish facilities.

Additionally, safety standards have been strengthened, including measures to maintain separation distances between storage facilities and protective facilities such as offices within specific high-pressure gas manufacturing sites like petrochemical companies. This is to protect lives within protective facilities in case of an accident.

Several regulatory improvements have also been made to alleviate inconveniences for high-pressure gas demand businesses and users. If it is difficult for businesses to undergo inspections due to COVID-19, the timing of regular inspections for high-pressure gas facilities can be adjusted, and the previously separate 'Safety Management Regulation Confirmation and Evaluation' and 'Regular Inspection' can now be conducted simultaneously on the same day.

A Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy official stated, "With this revision of the enforcement rules, we expect the energy living environment of the public to become safer and the inconveniences of high-pressure gas demanders to be greatly alleviated. We will continue to promote rational improvements in regulations related to energy safety and supplement safety systems."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.