Safety - Propane tank home or office delivery for your gas grill.

Propane Safety Application

--If you smell gas--

NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or fire.

LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.

SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).

REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.

DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer or fire department determines that it is safe to do so.

GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

WHAT DOES PROPANE SMELL LIKE?

Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufacturers add the smell deliberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, which can create a safety hazard.

PROPANE FACTS

Propane (also called LPG--liquefied petroleum gas--or LP gas) is a widely used fuel. It is transported and stored as a very cold liquid, and can “freeze burn” or frostbite if it contacts the skin. The liquid propane is turned into a gas inside a tank or cylinder. In its natural form, propane is colorless and odorless. To make propane easier to detect in the event of a leak or spill, manufacturers deliberately add a chemical compound to give it a distinctive smell.

Propane is flammable when mixed with air (oxygen) and can be ignited by many sources, including open flames, smoking materials, electrical sparks, and static electricity.

Propane vapors are heavier than air. For this reason, they may accumulate in low-lying areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and ditches, or along floors. However, air currents can sometimes carry propane vapors elsewhere within a building.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to modify or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder/ tank parts. Doing so creates the risk of a gas leak.

CALL AN EXPERT. If you are unable to operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not operating properly, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician. They can inspect, adjust, repair, or replace any part of your propane system.

YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED FOR SAFETY. Propane cylinders, tanks, and appliances incorporate special components (such as valves, connectors, controls, burners, and pilot lights) to keep them safe for use. Damaging these components can cause gas leaks.

STORAGE OF CYLINDERS

NEVER store or place a propane cylinder indoors or in an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, shed, or tent.
NEVER store or place a propane cylinder in an area of excessive heat (120 degrees or higher) or near a stove, fireplace, or other heat source. The heat builds up pressure inside the cylinder, which may cause the pressure relief valve to release propane. Flash fires or explosions can result from exposing cylinders to heat.
NEVER store or place a spare cylinder under or near a BBQ grill.
DO NOT smoke or have any ignition sources such as flames or spark-producing electrical tools in the area while handling or transporting cylinders.

OVERFILL PREVENTION DEVICE (OPD)

Make sure your cylinder is equipped with an overfill prevention device (OPD). An OPD is a safety feature that helps prevent cylinders from being overfilled. An overfilled cylinder doesn’t have enough space left if the liquid expands when exposed to warmer temperatures. The can cause an increase in cylinder pressure and create potentially hazardous conditions. Most cylinders with OPDs have special triangular handwheels with the letters “OPD” on them. In many states, including Massachusetts, cylinders without OPDs cannot be refilled. If you are uncertain as to whether your cylinder has an OPD valve on it, ask your propane retailer.

OLD or DAMAGED CYLINDERS

NEVER use a damaged cylinder or a cylinder that has been in a fire. All cylinders must be inspected before they are refilled. The law requires periodic inspection of cylinders, and it is against the law to refill out-of-date cylinders. The last inspection date is stamped on the cylinder.

DISPOSAL OF CYLINDERS

NEVER dispose of your propane cylinder by throwing it in the trash. Check to see if there are municipal programs for collection in your area, or contact Tanks 2 You Propane for disposal of your cylinder.

Information provided by: 2005 Propane Education and Research Council