LPG Emergency Response Plan for Restaurants in Singapore

A restaurant LPG emergency can develop quickly, especially during a busy kitchen operation. Having a clear LPG Emergency Response Plan helps restaurant owners and staff respond calmly, reduce risks, and know when professional or emergency assistance is required.

For restaurants and other commercial kitchens in Singapore, an emergency plan should cover gas leaks, LPG fires, equipment problems, emergency shut-off procedures, evacuation, staff responsibilities, and communication.

A good plan is not something to create after an incident happens. It should be prepared, communicated, and reviewed before the restaurant begins operations.

What Is an LPG Emergency Response Plan?

An LPG emergency response plan is a documented procedure explaining what restaurant staff should do when an LPG-related hazard occurs.

The plan should answer five basic questions:

1. How do we recognise an LPG emergency?

2. Who is responsible for shutting off the gas supply?

3. How do we evacuate staff and customers?

4. When should we call emergency services?

5. Who should be contacted for professional LPG assistance?

The procedure should be simple enough for kitchen staff to understand during a stressful situation.

For more detailed information about immediate leak response, see our guide: What to Do in Case of LPG Leaks?

Common LPG Emergencies in Restaurants

Restaurant LPG emergencies are not limited to major fires. Smaller warning signs can also require immediate attention.

Common situations include:

LPG Gas Leak

A strong gas odour, hissing sound, or suspected damaged connection may indicate a leak.

LPG Fire

A fire involving LPG equipment, cylinders, piping, or nearby combustible materials requires immediate emergency response.

Damaged LPG Equipment

A damaged hose, regulator, valve, cylinder, or pipe may create an unsafe condition even when there is no visible fire.

Gas Supply Failure

An unexpected loss of gas may result from an empty cylinder bank, changeover issue, regulator problem, or another system fault.

Gas Detection Alarm

Where a gas leak detection system is installed, an alarm should always be treated seriously and investigated according to the site's emergency procedure.

Step 1: Recognise the Warning Signs

Restaurant staff should know the signs that may indicate an LPG problem.

Look out for:

• Strong or unusual LPG odour

• Hissing near a cylinder, valve, regulator, or pipe

• Damaged LPG hoses

• Loose or damaged connections

• Unusual burner behaviour

• Persistent yellow or unstable flames

• Gas leak detector alarms

• Sudden and unexplained changes in LPG consumption

A warning sign does not always identify the exact cause. Staff should avoid trying to diagnose or repair the gas system themselves.

For example, a yellow flame can have several possible causes, including burner condition, appliance adjustment, ventilation, regulator, piping, or other system issues. Our guide Why Is My LPG Flame Yellow Instead of Blue? explains these warning signs in greater detail.

Step 2: Stop the Immediate Source of Danger

If an LPG leak is suspected, staff should avoid creating an ignition source.

Do not:

• Light matches or cigarettes

• Use naked flames to locate a leak

• Operate electrical switches near the suspected leak

• Start or stop electrical equipment near the leak

• Attempt unauthorised repairs

• Ignore a gas odour

If it can be done safely without entering or remaining in a dangerous area, the gas supply should be isolated using the appropriate emergency shut-off arrangement.

For commercial LPG installations, SCDF's current Fire Code includes requirements for emergency shut-off arrangements and, for applicable LPG piping systems, gas leak detection systems that automatically shut off the gas supply and sound an alarm when a leak is detected.

The emergency shut-off location should be clearly identified and known to responsible staff before an incident occurs.

Step 3: Evacuate the Area

People are more important than equipment.

If there is a significant gas leak, fire, or uncontrolled release of LPG, move staff and customers away from the affected area and follow the restaurant's established evacuation procedure.

Staff should know:

• Primary exit routes

• Alternative exit routes

• Assembly location

• Who is responsible for checking staff areas

• Where customers should be directed

• Who communicates with emergency responders

Do not send staff back into a hazardous area to collect belongings, check equipment, or retrieve cylinders.

The LPG installation should also remain accessible to emergency responders. SCDF's Fire Code requires LPG installations to be planned with relevant fire-safety provisions and access considerations.

Step 4: Call Emergency Services When Required

A suspected serious LPG leak or LPG-related fire should be treated as an emergency.

In Singapore, SCDF's emergency number is 995. SCDF's LPG safety guidance also directs members of the public to call 995 to report suspected LPG leakages or LPG fires.

Make the call from a safe location.

When speaking to emergency responders, provide useful information such as:

• Restaurant name

• Exact location

• Nature of the emergency

• Whether there is a fire

• Whether LPG cylinders are involved

• Whether anyone is injured

• Whether the building has been evacuated

Do not delay the emergency call while waiting for a supplier to arrive.

Step 5: Contact Your LPG Supplier

After the immediate emergency response has been initiated, contact your LPG supplier through the appropriate support channel.

The supplier may be able to provide professional assistance with:

• Cylinder supply problems

• Manifold issues

• Regulator problems

• LPG system inspection

• Equipment replacement

• Maintenance

• System troubleshooting

However, supplier assistance should not replace emergency services when there is an active fire, serious leak, or immediate danger to people.

What Should Be Included in a Restaurant LPG Emergency Plan?

A practical plan should contain clear information rather than complicated technical instructions.

Emergency Contact Information

Display important numbers where authorised staff can easily find them.

Include:

• SCDF emergency number: 995

• LPG supplier contact

• Building management contact

• Responsible restaurant manager

• Relevant licensed gas professional

  
  

LPG System Information

Staff should know the location of:

• LPG cylinders

• Manifold

• Main gas isolation valve

• Emergency shut-off valve

• Gas leak detector

• Fire extinguishers

• Kitchen fire-suppression controls

SCDF's current Fire Code requires LPG plans to identify relevant components such as cylinder and manifold systems, regulators, emergency shut-off valves, remote cut-off devices, pipe entries, cylinder housing, and applicable fire-safety provisions.

Evacuation Information

Clearly document:

• Emergency exits

• Assembly area

• Staff responsibilities

• Customer evacuation procedure

• Fire wardens or responsible personnel

  
  

Train Restaurant Staff Before an Emergency Happens

An emergency plan is useful only when staff understand it.

New employees should receive basic LPG safety information as part of their workplace training.

Staff should know:

What Normal Looks Like

Employees should understand what a normal LPG flame and appliance operation look like so they can recognise unusual changes.

Where the Emergency Controls Are

Employees who are responsible for emergency response should know the location of the appropriate shut-off controls without having to search during an incident.

When to Evacuate

Staff should never remain in a dangerous area simply because they are trying to protect equipment.

Who to Contact

Keep emergency and supplier contact information updated.

What Not to Do

Employees should understand that they should not attempt DIY repairs or use flames to locate leaks.

LPG Cylinder Storage and Emergency Access

The cylinder storage area should be part of the emergency plan.

Singapore's current SCDF Fire Code generally requires LPG cylinder installations for commercial and industrial buildings to be outdoors and at ground level, subject to requirements for specific indoor installations. It also contains provisions relating to ventilation, separation distances, access, cylinder housing, and safety equipment.

Restaurant owners should ensure that the LPG installation is not blocked by:

• Boxes

• Waste

• Kitchen equipment

• Delivery materials

• Vehicles

• Other stored items

Our guide LPG Cylinder Storage Requirements for Restaurants in Singapore explains the storage considerations in more detail.

What About Automatic LPG Changeover Systems?

Restaurants with multiple LPG cylinders may use an automatic changeover system to switch between cylinder banks when the active supply becomes depleted.

This can help reduce normal supply interruptions, but it is not an emergency response system by itself.

Staff should still understand:

• Which cylinder bank is active

• Which bank is the reserve

• How to recognise a changeover

• When to contact the supplier

• What to do if the system does not change over correctly

See How Automatic LPG Changeover Prevents Commercial Kitchen Downtime for more information.

Regular Maintenance Supports Emergency Preparedness

Emergency planning should be combined with preventive maintenance.

An LPG system that is regularly inspected and maintained is easier to manage and less likely to develop unnoticed problems.

Maintenance should consider:

• LPG cylinders

• Regulators

• Hoses

• Valves

• Manifold

• Piping

• Appliance connections

• Gas detection equipment

• Emergency shut-off systems

SCDF states that the owner or tenant of an eating outlet, together with the gas supplier/dealer, is responsible for ensuring applicable automatic shut-off systems are well maintained and gas leak detection systems are checked and calibrated periodically.

You can also refer to How Often Should LPG Systems Be Serviced? for practical maintenance guidance.

A Simple LPG Emergency Checklist

Restaurant owners can use this as a starting point for staff training:

Before an emergency

• Display emergency contacts

• Identify gas shut-off points

• Keep emergency routes clear

• Train responsible staff

• Maintain safety equipment

• Schedule professional inspections

  
  

If LPG leakage is suspected

• Avoid flames and ignition sources

• Do not operate electrical switches near the suspected leak

• Isolate the gas supply only if it is safe to do so

• Move people away from the danger area

• Call 995 when there is an emergency

• Contact the LPG supplier from a safe location

  
  

After the incident

• Do not restart the LPG system without appropriate professional assessment

• Record what happened

• Have damaged equipment inspected or replaced

• Review the emergency plan

• Retrain staff where necessary

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should a restaurant do during an LPG leak?

Treat the situation seriously, avoid ignition sources, isolate the gas supply only when safe, move people away from the affected area, and call SCDF at 995 when there is an emergency. Professional assistance should be obtained before the system is returned to service.

2. Should restaurant staff try to find the source of an LPG leak?

No. Staff should not use a flame to locate a leak or attempt unauthorized repairs. A qualified gas professional should investigate and rectify the problem.

3. Where should an LPG emergency shut-off valve be located?

The exact location depends on the installation. SCDF's Fire Code contains specific requirements for remote emergency shut-off valves, including accessibility during emergencies.

4. What emergency number should restaurants call for an LPG fire in Singapore?

Call SCDF at 995 for an LPG fire or serious emergency involving a suspected LPG leak. Make the call from a safe location.

5. How often should a restaurant LPG emergency plan be reviewed?

Review the plan whenever the LPG installation, kitchen layout, equipment, emergency controls, supplier information, or staff responsibilities change. It should also be reinforced through regular staff training.

6. Does an automatic LPG changeover eliminate LPG emergencies?

No. Automatic changeover primarily supports continuity of LPG supply. The overall installation still requires appropriate safety systems, maintenance, monitoring, and emergency procedures.

7. Who should inspect a commercial LPG installation in Singapore?

EMA states that commercial premises must engage a Licensed Gas Service Worker (LGSW) or Professional Engineer (PE) to inspect and certify that the gas installation is safe for use.

Conclusion

Every restaurant that uses LPG should have a clear LPG Emergency Response Plan before opening its doors. The plan should tell staff how to recognise warning signs, avoid ignition sources, use emergency shut-off arrangements safely, evacuate people, contact SCDF, and obtain professional assistance.

Emergency preparedness is not only about responding after something goes wrong. Proper cylinder storage, reliable equipment, regular maintenance, staff training, and professional inspection all form part of a safer LPG operation.

For restaurants and commercial kitchens in Singapore, Jia Liang LPG provides LPG supply and support for businesses that depend on a reliable gas system.

Contact Jia Liang LPG today to discuss your restaurant's LPG supply, safety, maintenance, and emergency support requirements across Singapore.