Don’t Use an LCC27 Adaptor in Lieu of an LCC27 Gas Bottle
Owners of barbecues and gas appliances should not use an LCC27 adaptor to connect gas bottles with an old POL gas fitting to appliances with a new LCC27 gas bottle (type 27 gas bottle) fitting.
Staying safe while using LPG gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) for your barbecue or portable gas appliance is crucial.
That includes using LPG gas bottles that have the correct cylinder valve for your gas appliances.
In recent years, there have been important changes to the types of cylinder valves and connections used on LPG gas bottles for barbecues and portable gas appliances in Australia.
In addition, LCC27 adaptors are banned in WA whilst the QLD, VIC, TAS, NT and SA state governments have posted warnings against LCC27 adaptor use. This follows a homeowner receiving severe burns resulting from a gas cylinder fire in Western Australia whilst using an LCC27 adaptor. The injured person needed to be hospitalised for further treatment.
New Gas Bottle Connection for Gas Bottles for BBQ
An LCC27 or Type 27 is a new gas bottle connection fitting. The LCC27 replaces the old POL gas fitting on gas bottles for BBQ – specifically the 9kg gas bottle and 4kg gas bottle in Australia. There is no new gas bottle connection for 45kg gas bottles and larger.
LCC27 Gas Bottle and LCC27 Adaptor – LCC27 to POL Adaptor
An LCC27 gas bottle is a gas bottle with a safety enhanced LCC27 valve. An LCC27 gas bottle is typically a 9kg gas bottle or a 4kg gas bottle size. The safety improvements include the prevention of gas release when no regulator is attached.
LCC27 gas bottles, also called a type 27 gas bottle, are primarily used in Australia.
An LCC27 adaptor is used when a new BBQ or heater with an LCC27 regulator is fitted to an older POL gas bottle. The LCC27 to POL adaptor facilitates the use of an LCC27 regulator on a gas bottle with a POL gas fitting.
No POL to LCC27 adaptor is required when a new LCC27 gas bottle is used with an older POL regulator equipped appliance. The LCC27 gas bottle is backwards compatible, accepting both a POL regulator and LCC27 regulator.
Note that POL valves are still used on 45kg gas bottles, as well as larger sizes.
Mismatched Threads with LCC27 Gas Bottle vs POL Gas Bottle
Here’s why adaptors pose a potential hazard:
There are currently two main types of valves on LPG gas bottles – ones with Type 21 POL gas fitting and LCC27 gas fitting (type 27 gas bottle). These valves have different thread directions:
- POL gas fitting is the older type of gas bottle fitting with left-handed thread
- LCC27 gas bottles are the newer type and have right-handed thread
Barbecues or portable gas appliances manufactured after 1 April 2022 will have the newer LCC27 gas fitting on their gas hoses.
Appliances manufactured before then will have the older POL gas fitting.
An LCC27 gas bottle will connect to barbecues and portable gas appliances that have either a POL gas fitting or an LCC27 gas fitting.
However, LPG gas bottles with a POL gas fitting can only be connected to appliances with a POL gas fitting.
It’s important to check what kind of connection you have on your barbecue or portable LPG gas appliance before you buy or swap your LPG bottle.
It can be dangerous to use an LCC27 adaptor on a POL gas fitting to enable it to connect a gas appliance designed for an LCC27 gas fitting.
This is because the two connections have different thread directions, so as you tighten one connection you can actually loosen the other connection, potentially leading to a gas leak and the risk of fire or injury.
How to Tell the Difference Between Regulator Gas Fittings
Older regulators with a POL gas fitting have a male connector which is threaded on the outside.
The newer LCC27 regulator has a larger female connector which is threaded on the inside.
The LCC27 gas bottle is backwards compatible with barbecues and gas appliances that have either a POL gas fitting or an LCC27 gas fitting, since it has both an internal POL gas fitting thread and an external LCC27 gas bottle thread. See image below.
Safety Feature Defeated with LCC27 Adaptor
The LCC27 gas bottle valve is designed with improved safety features and protection.
The key safety feature of an LCC27 gas bottle is that it will not release gas unless an appliance gas fitting is properly installed.
Using an LCC27 adaptor may nullify this safety feature.
In contrast, gas bottles with the older POL gas fitting will release gas without anything being attached, creating a potential safety hazard.
However, an LPG gas bottle with a POL gas fitting is incompatible with barbecues or portable LPG gas appliances that have an LCC27 gas bottle connection.
If you have a gas appliance with an LCC27 gas bottle connection, and your current LPG gas bottle has a POL gas fitting, you should swap your POL gas bottle for an LCC27 gas bottle.
The cylinder valves provide connection safety by ensuring there are no points where leakage could occur.
Using an LCC27 adaptor overrides the new safety feature and can increase the risk of accidental gas release, compromising your safety.
Understanding the Valve Types
POL Gas Fitting
A POL gas fitting is the older style commonly found on older gas bottles and appliances manufactured before 2022.
POL gas fitting valves use a left-hand thread with a smaller diameter than the newer LCC27 gas bottle.
LCC27 Gas Fitting
Introduced for improved safety features, the LCC27 gas bottle valves are now mandatory on all barbecues and gas appliances manufactured since April 2022.
The LCC27 valve has a right-hand thread and a larger diameter than a POL gas fitting.
The good news is that the LCC27 gas bottle valve is backward compatible, meaning it can connect to both a POL gas fitting and one intended for an LCC27 gas fitting.
Choosing the Right Combination:
- LPG Gas Appliance Age: Barbecues and portable LPG gas appliances manufactured before April 2022 will most likely have a POL gas fitting and can be connected to an LPG gas bottle with either a POL gas fitting or LCC27 gas fitting. Newer LPG appliances with an LCC27 gas fitting cannot be connected to an LPG gas bottle with a POL gas fitting. Do not use an LCC27 adaptor to connect them.
- LPG Gas Bottle Valve: LPG gas bottles come with either POL gas fitting or LCC27 gas fitting. If you have an LCC27 gas bottle, it can be used with appliances that have either a POL gas fitting or an LCC27 gas fitting. However, LCC27 gas appliances are a newer type and cannot be used with a POL gas fitting.
The LCC27 Gas Bottle Phase-In
SWAP’n’GO has been phasing in LCC27 gas bottles since 2022 and this will continue over the next few years.
LCC27 gas bottles are being introduced into the gas bottle population at a rate that is faster than new LCC27 gas appliances are being sold.
The result is that you will still find both POL and LCC27 gas bottles in the SWAP’n’GO cages for the next few years.
This phase-in process is designed to provide the appropriate number of each type of gas bottle as time goes by.
Ensure Safe Use of Your LPG Barbecue or Portable Gas Appliance:
- Don’t use an LCC27 adaptor to connect a POL gas bottle to an LPG gas appliances with LCC27 gas fitting.
- If you have been using an LCC27 adaptor, remove it and discard it. Swap your POL gas bottle for an LCC27 gas bottle.
- When you are ready to get a fresh LPG gas bottle, be sure to check the connection type on your barbecue or portable gas appliance so that you can select the right bottle for your appliance.
- If your LPG gas appliance was manufactured after April 2022, it will have an LCC27 gas bottle connection and you must only connect it to an LCC27 gas bottle.
- Barbecues and portable gas appliances manufactured for Australia before April 2022 will most likely have a POL gas fitting and can be connected to an LPG gas bottle with either a POL gas fitting or an LCC27 gas bottle fitting.
By following these simple steps and avoiding the use of an LCC27 adaptor, you can significantly reduce the risk of gas leaks and accidents while enjoying the convenience of your LPG gas barbecue or portable gas appliance.
Safety should always be your top priority when dealing with LPG gas.
More Safety Information
Refer to the following for more safety information and guidance:
Safety Warning for Use of LPG Adaptors
Summer safety warning for the use of LP gas adaptors (WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety)
LPG Cylinder Connection Guidance information
Transitional requirements for the implementation of the new LCC27 LPG cylinder connection (Gas Technical Regulators Committee)
LP gas cylinder adaptors on converting old POL to LCC27, banned in Western Australia (WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety)
Australian Standards
AS/NZS1596:2014 The storage and handling of LP Gas (Standards Australia)