Session: 15-01-01: General Topics on Risk, Safety, and Reliability I

Paper Number: 173410

Regulatory Deviations in Lpg Infrastructure: Implications for Public Safety in Ambato, Ecuador 

This study examines the current state of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) installations in commercial establishments in Ambato, Ecuador, in relation to national safety standards established by the Ecuadorian Standards Institute (INEN) and international guidelines, particularly those of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Despite the mandatory nature of these regulations, field evidence shows a marked lack of compliance, which presents significant technical and safety challenges.

A total of 120 technical inspections were carried out in various commercial premises, including restaurants, stores, food processing units, and service providers. These inspections revealed widespread and recurring violations. The most critical deficiencies identified include insufficient safety distances between LPG containers and potential sources of ignition or hazardous areas, the use of inadequate or non-certified materials in system components, poor-quality or informal installation work, and the improper or illegal placement of gas cylinders—often in enclosed, poorly ventilated, or high-traffic areas. A particularly concerning issue was the detection of the unauthorized use of subsidized residential LPG in commercial operations, an activity that not only violates energy regulations but also distorts market conditions and public resource allocation.

These deficiencies not only contravene the technical specifications outlined in the standards but also present serious and immediate safety risks to occupants, employees, customers, and neighboring infrastructure. From a risk management perspective, the lack of compliance significantly increases the probability of gas leaks, fire outbreaks, and even explosions. For instance, failure to maintain minimum safety distances and the use of substandard piping systems can result in cumulative system failures over time. Additionally, the absence of pressure regulators, safety valves, or emergency shut-off devices in many of the installations inspected further exacerbates the risk.

From a systemic standpoint, the lack of formal training and certification for installers, combined with insufficient governmental enforcement and technical auditing, perpetuates a cycle of informality and vulnerability. In the absence of consistent inspection protocols and public awareness campaigns, commercial users often lack the technical knowledge to assess whether their systems are safe or compliant.

To address these issues, this study recommends a series of urgent corrective actions: (1) strict enforcement of safety regulations through municipal and national inspection programs; (2) implementation of mandatory technical certification programs for gas system installers and inspectors; (3) development of public education campaigns focused on LPG safety; and (4) the establishment of traceability mechanisms to prevent the misuse of subsidized LPG in the commercial sector.

Aligning LPG installations with national and international safety standards is not only a regulatory necessity but also a critical step in protecting human life, reducing urban vulnerabilities, and ensuring responsible energy use in Ecuador’s growing commercial sectors.

Presenting Author: Diego Venegas Vásconez Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato

Presenting Author Biography: Diego Venegas Vásconez: Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ambato Campus. Mechanical Engineer and Master in Industrial Engineering and Productivity from the National Polytechnic School (Quito, Ecuador), and PhD in Engineering of Sustainable Materials and Processes from the University of Bío-Bío (Concepción, Chile). University lecturer in engineering programs with over 5 years of teaching experience. Instructor and facilitator of courses on the handling of combustible gases and safety in: Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Peru, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Brazil, El Salvador, and Spain. Co-author of over 15 scientific articles. Project Director of the research initiative "Safety Analysis of LPG Systems in Ambato, Ecuador."

Authors:

Diego Venegas Vásconez Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
Gloria Vanegas Zabala Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
Melani Peñafiel Zúñiga Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
William Pilataxi Muñoz Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
Andrés Gómez Guerra Pontificia Universidad CAtólica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
Kevin Ocaña Gualle Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
Maria Soledad Miranda Salazar Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato
César Ayabaca Sarria Escuela Politécnica Nacional
Luis Tipanluisa Sarchi Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo
Cinthia Vásquez Sandoval Universidad del Bio-Bío