Vehicles with LPG are becoming more common every day, and an important development affecting LPG vehicle owners was published in the Official Gazette. According to the announced decision, LPG vehicles will now be allowed to use shopping mall parking garages, provided they meet certain conditions.
LPG Vehicles Allowed into Mall Parking Garages
Owners of LPG vehicles have long awaited news about access to mall parking garages. In the early days of LPG conversions, incorrect installations, unsuitable tanks and improper use led to LPG systems being considered unsafe, and such vehicles were typically denied entry to enclosed parking areas like shopping malls. As the number of LPG vehicles grew—especially with more factory-equipped LPG models—there has been increasing demand for allowing them into enclosed parking facilities.
Accordingly, a regulation enabling LPG vehicles to enter enclosed parking lots of shopping centers was published in the Official Gazette. The amendment, which updates the fire safety provisions for buildings, states that LPG vehicles may be admitted to commercial parking areas such as mall garages if the specified rules and conditions are met. The regulation also requires certain modifications for the enclosed parking areas that will admit LPG vehicles. Permitted parking areas cannot be located lower than the first basement level, and entry and exit routes must be separate from those used by other vehicles. Shopping centers that fail to implement these measures will continue to ban LPG vehicles from their enclosed parking facilities.
Certain Conditions Must Be Met
Shopping mall administrations must implement specific arrangements before allowing LPG vehicles to enter. A dedicated section must be created for LPG vehicles, and only vehicles with valid LPG inspection records and with the LPG system recorded on their registration will be allowed access. Staff responsible for vehicle entry, exit and registration will closely monitor whether vehicles meet the required conditions; any vehicle without the LPG system recorded on its registration or with an invalid inspection will be denied entry.
The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization will publish a regular list of shopping centers that have implemented the necessary safety measures, enabling LPG vehicle owners to see which malls permit entry. Additionally, malls that meet the conditions will display visible notices indicating they are suitable for LPG vehicles, making it easy for drivers to know where they may park.
Are LPG Vehicles Risky?
Although many people mistakenly believe LPG vehicles are highly dangerous, rising fuel costs have pushed many drivers toward LPG. For this reason, many automakers now offer factory-fitted LPG options on new vehicles. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is not inherently more dangerous than gasoline or diesel; it is a highly flammable fuel, but gasoline is also flammable. For an LPG fire or explosion to occur, specific and significant conditions must be met. Properly installed systems that receive regular inspections have a very low likelihood of causing an explosion, and incidents are rare. With correct installation and routine checks, using an LPG vehicle is generally safe.
Early perceptions of risk were fueled by aftermarket installations and improper installations, which caused some hazardous situations and led to bans from enclosed parking areas, including shopping centers. With the new regulation, vehicles that meet the required conditions will be permitted entry to enclosed parking lots such as those in malls.