244002595 - WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

LPG systems may be serviced only by staff who have attended one of the LPG training courses organised by individual markets. Authorised staff must comply with current legal regulations and take care to observe all safety requirements learnt during the training course. The standards listed below must be observed during any operation carried out on a vehicle equipped with an LPG system.
Although Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) fuel systems are no more dangerous in practice than normal petrol systems, they need special attention, particularly with regard to servicing.In particular, when opening connectors or moving pressurised components, operators must be equipped with helmets with visors to UNI-EN 166 standards to protect against spray and heavy-duty gloves (2) to UNI-EN 388 and UNI-EN 511 standards to protect their hands against frostbite due to the heat absorbed by the expanding LPG.The system used on the Fiat Ducato meets requirements in the individual countries where it is marketed.One-way valves are fitted to the tank at the inlets for the LPG pipes from the filler fitting and the return pipe from the injector. These prevent gas accidentally emerging from the tank.The solenoid valves located: one on the tank near the supply pipe, one on the supply line and one on the return line, insulating both sections of the supply pipe when the petrol fuel mode is selected or when the engine is off.The one-way valve on the filler fitting prevents the LPG in the filler pipe from returning to the outside.Despite the presence of these devices, it must be remembered that LPG is still a gas under environmental conditions and thus can easily explode. Always observe the following warnings when leaks are potentially present and during any service operations on the system.

  • do not smoke.
  • do not use naked flames.
  • do not use driers and power tools.
  • do not use incandescence lamps.
  • do not wear acrylic clothing that generates static electricity.
  • always disconnect the battery terminals.
  • when the vehicle is in the workshop, do not park near inspection pits, intake port drainage wells or any closed area without sufficient ventilation.
  • Danger of explosion: LPG is heavier than air and tends to sink to the lowest possible level. It will therefore fill any openings near the vehice to create dangerous, potentially explosive gas pockets.
  • do not use the following workshop equipment: air compressors, current generators, suction devices, power tools etc. that could generate sparks and thus trigger explosions in the case of leaks.
  • do not use any type of suction device; always work in ventilated areas.
  • do not take vehicles with LPG systems into closed environments if they been in an accident or if the condition of the system seals is unknown.
  • if the vehicle is placed in a drying oven after painting at a temperature greater than 80°C, remove the LPG tank from the vehicle.
  • because different material types are used to make the LPG system, potential differences may arise that generate electrostatic charges. For this reason, discharge any electrostatic charges as follows before working on each system component.
  • * disconnect the battery negative terminal and positive terminal;
  • * join both battery terminals by means of an earth lead. This will discharge any electrostatic charges that may have built up.