Gasman Pvt Limited: Newly Established Gas Company Finds Its Perfect Fit In Harare

Text by Martin Chemhere

Photos by Fotohaus

There are many signs of growth in the Zimbabwean renewable energy sector, with vast opportunities being offered to new players. In anticipation of competitive performance, new players like Gasman Pvt Limited have entered market with adequate preparation to make a mark.

Established in February this year and currently operating from 15 Lorely Close, Msasa, in Harare, the new kid on the block’s services includes importing, distributing, and delivering, as well as wholesaling and retailing of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). Presently, the business covers only the Harare and surrounding market, but it has the vision to focus on new areas soon. Though the company doesn’t currently supply gas accessories, they hope to commence this product line soon. This will see the provision of gas cylinders ranging in different sizes to the entire market for both domestic and commercial needs.

The company says dealing in gas has enabled them to contribute to the Zimbabwean economy but noted that gas users, whether domestic or commercial, should always look out for any slight leak incidents that could lead to a disaster.

“All gas gadgets are prone to developing leaks over time. Most common gadgets use seals, valves, and gaskets and these get worn out with time. Examples of such gadgets are cylinders, cooker tops, hoses, and valves which are most prone to leaks. Regular servicing and maintenance schedules are crucial for proper use and safety,” said Farai Hilton Mufandaedza, the site manager.

High regulation for the Zimbabwean energy and power industry means that the company prioritises registering with relevant organisations such as the Zimbabwe Energy Regulation Authority (ZERA), enabling them to carry out their work of installing gas equipment for commercial and domestic use.

“Registration is important as it ensures that the proper accredited LPG professionals perform the installations according to the ZERA and Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) regulations and requirements. Not adhering to the regulations compromises the safety of the equipment and those using it. In addition to this, users should make sure that there are no naked flames or smoking near the cylinders or LPG storage areas in the home. And proper ventilation is accessible in the area. Tanks should never be kept in cupboards or enclosed areas. Cylinders, as much as possible, should be kept outside the home,” he said.

There are several other things to look at such as follows:

• Gas cylinders should always be upright in a vertical position with the valve on the top.

• Always install the tank at ground level so that the stove or heater is positioned higher than the gas tank.

• Don’t keep the tank exposed to rain, sun, dust and heat.

• Tanks should have longer pipes, to have a distance away from the heat or naked flame source.

• Use the correct hose and check it regularly for cracks or leaks. If funds permit change rubber seals and hoses once every 12-24 months.

• Never use plastic as a substitute for thread tape or to tie hose, and rather call the professionals to ensure that the job is done right, and safety measures are attained.

Gasman Pvt Limited will attend to all LP Gas requirements through their experienced staff that has more than 5 years of experience in the LPG industry. The company also strives to keep up with new trends in the sector by researching and implementing what is happening in other parts of the world.

The site manager notes that reacting to a gas leak is key to the management of the risk, which will eventually lead to maintaining a good safety record for the company. The foremost step would be to first move the gas gadgets to a well-ventilated place and identify the source of the leak and find the best way to eliminate the leak. The best way to eliminate leaks is to redo the whole installation using new thread tapes, a new hose, or even a new gas cylinder/ tank if you feel that is the source of the leak. Please ensure you contact the correct personnel for the job.

Gasman Pvt Limited offers retail and wholesale of LP Gas, and bulk deliveries within Zimbabwe from 500kgs to 2 tonnes per load. So, far they have 2 branches, one in Msasa and one at the Aspindale Truck Stop.

The company is a member of ZERA and advises that it is important to be registered to install gas equipment for industrial and domestic use. This requires company personnel to be trained and qualified, all the safety precautions for handling and storage of LPGas equipment according to ZERA and Standards

Association requirements. In the end, the community will be safe from explosions or gasrelated accidents.

Adhering to ZERA standards means the following:

ZERA - Things to do:

• Use ZERA trained, accredited and qualified LPG professionals in the industry with good experience and knowledge.

• Use gas cylinders/tanks which comply with Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) SANS10019.

• Handling and Storage Precautions of LPG tanks should always be observed.

• Observe all the LPG standards as mentioned by ZERA; that is location, design and control of filling of LPG.

• Use certified filling equipment if you are a Retailer or Wholesaler.

• Observe the prevention and control of fires. All staff should all be trained to use fire extinguishers.

• Perform Work Assessments before any work commences.

ZERA - Things not to do:

• Never use untrained or unqualified staff for installations.

• Never use defective tanks or any other equipment as this make the whole system prone to leaks, or worse, explosions.

• Workers should never work without proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for installations.

• Don’t use shortcuts when doing installations and always follow the safety guidelines.

Gasman Pvt Limited stays relevant by reliably supplying premium products to customers, as well as ensuring professional services. Most of their products are supplied from South Africa, which is a major hub for regional and PanAfrican distribution.

Talking about challenges, the company experiences issues mostly around electricity, just like most companies in Zimbabwe. They note that the costs of running generators and solar products make it difficult to properly operate the business as effectively and costefficiently as they would like.

“Other than that, as a new company there are learning curves but we are confident of overcoming even the toughest of challenges that the industry may face,” said the site manager.