Unlicensed self-service launderettes in Malaysia at risk of exploding
The weekend is supposed to be for resting, but for those living alone and fending for ourselves, we spend it at the launderette, busily loading the washer with a week’s worth of dirty laundry.
Now the thing is, are your laundrettes licensed and approved by the Energy Commission (EC)?
It is important to make sure that your launderette has the EC’s approvals, especially since there have been cases of explosions at launderettes killing innocent lives in the past year.
Recently, Energy Commission’s deputy director Ir Shamsuddin Arshad spoke to Bernama and reported that over 2,000 self-service launderettes all over Malaysia (excluding Sarawak) are operating without gas licenses (including liquid petroleum).
This is a serious offense that can cost operators a maximum fine of RM100,000, jail, or both under the Gas Supply Act 1993 and Gas Supply Regulations.
Conventional launderettes (basically the ones which are not self-service), normally use electricity to power their drying processes.
Whereas self-service laundromats opt for gas supplied driers to save costs.
Unfortunately, the gas piping systems at these self-service launderettes need to meet EC’s standards to make sure they are safe and prevent leaking (which can ultimately result in explosions).
However, consumers need not fret, as guidelines on the installation of piped gas supplies are currently on the way by the EC.
The EC also plans to conduct raids to make sure all outlets display licenses and approval from the EC.
