HSENI Safety Alert - STILL GmbH / Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) powered industrial lift trucks / Various Models

Introduction

HSENI have been informed of potential problems with Lift trucks with the IMPCO C-Series vaporiser manufactured by EControls BV installed as part of the trucks fuel system are affected. This includes some STILL lift trucks.

Issue

Owners, users and other persons supplying, inspecting and maintaining these LPG powered vehicles are being alerted to the risk of fire when presented with a non-starting engine. Although these trucks had operated for many years without issue a build-up of deposits in fuel systems of some LPG powered vehicles, in particular those fitted with IMPCO C-series vaporiser units, has led to several fires. Deposits in vaporiser units, flow regulators and shut off valves are also causing trucks to fail to start, particularly from cold.

The cause of these deposits appears to be related to variation in the composition of LPG fuel which has been distributed in some regions of Great Britain. The RX70 series LPG industrial lift trucks manufactured by STILL GmbH with serial numbers as listed above have been identified as one of a number of manufacturers’ models known to be fitted with the IMPCO C-Series vaporiser in their fuel systems, which are particularly affected. Any other industrial lift truck or other LPG powered vehicle fitted with the IMPCO C-Series vaporisers manufactured by EControls Europe BV, either as originally supplied or as a replacement part, may also present a risk of fire. The particular design of the IMPCO C-Series vaporiser means that the buildup of deposits can lead to sticking valves resulting in the fuel mixture supplied to the engine being too rich to be ignited.

Repeated starting attempts can then result in the release of unburned LPG, which in extreme cases can be ignited setting fire to the vehicle and surrounding materials.

Affected products

Lift trucks with the IMPCO C-Series vaporiser manufactured by EControls BV installed as part of the trucks fuel system are affected. This includes some STILL lift trucks. Users of STILL lift trucks should refer to the 12 character serial number given on the manufacturers identification plate. Where the composition is as follows:

Affected STILL lift trucks have serial numbers starting with the first seven characters as follows:

• 517314x where x equals X, Y, L or M
• 517315x where x equals X, Y, L or M
• • 517316x where x equals X, Y, L or M  
• • 517365x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517366x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517367x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517368x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517306x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517307x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517308x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517309x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517385x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517386x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517387x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517388x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517391x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X
• • 517392x where x equals F, G, H, J, V or X

Action required:

Corrective measures

STILL has contacted known owners and suppliers of affected lift trucks to warn them of the risks and provide guidance on how to reduce and mitigate risks. A user manual update will also be provided. STILL have also completed a programme of voluntary corrective action to retro-fit a fuel system modification kit. Users should note that although the kit will reduce the likelihood and mitigate the consequences of a fire occurring, the risk is not completely eliminated. Users should continue to exercise caution and follow the advice given by the manufacturer.

Any owners or users of affected STILL lift trucks who have not been contacted are advised to contact STILL or the supplying dealer for further advice. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety notice informing users and persons supplying, inspecting and maintaining LPG powered vehicles of the risk of fire in certain conditions and measures to take. This can be accessed from the follwing link: 

• LPG forklift truck fire risk - (hse.gov.uk)

Users of any other industrial lift truck or other LPG powered vehicle fitted with the IMPCO C-Series vaporiser are also advised to contact the manufacturer or supplying dealer for further advice. Owners and users of other makes and models of LPG-powered lift trucks and vehicles incorporating other vaporiser designs may also experience fuel system problems due to LPG composition and should take note of the general advice given.

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