Safety Information

TO ALL PROPANE USERS

When used properly, propane is a safe, economical, clean burning, environmentally friendly, versatile fuel with many different uses such as:

  • Home Heating, Cooking, Water Heating
  • Forklift operation
  • BBQ Grills, Smokers, Fish Fryers
  • Temporary Construction Heating
  • Vehicle Fuel
  • Commercial Heating
  • Industrial / Process Heating
  • Crop Drying and other Agricultural uses
  • RV Heating, Cooking, and Water Heating

As with any energy product (gasoline, natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, wood, etc.), it is important to respect, understand, and know how to safely use propane, your propane system, and appliances.

Your entire propane system should be checked periodically by a trained propane service person



WHAT SHOULD BE CHECKED

  1. Smell for propane odor.
  2. Check cylinders and tanks for exterior rust, dents, and date.
  3. Check connections:
  4. Check the liquid level gauge on the tank or cylinder if so equipped. Refill per propane dealer guidelines.
  5. Ensure the appliances are properly vented.
  6. Check appliances for rusty or water-damaged gas control valves.
  7. Check that the regulator:
  8. Check that cylinders:
  9. Check local laws, codes, or regulations to determine if propane fueled appliances are permitted in below-grade locations.
  10. After a gas-out, check that shut-off valves on the cylinder or tank are turned off.
  11. When closing up the house for an extended period of time, check that the propane system has ben shut off at the tank or cylinder and check that the appliances are shut off.
  12. The propane system on any vehicle should be inspected periodically.


EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOR A PROPANE LEAK

If you smell gas in your house, workplace, or around any gas equipment or appliance, follow the emergency procedure below.

Step Action
1 Put out all smoking materials and other open flames.
Do NOT operate electric switches.
Do NOT light matches.
Do NOT use your phone.

Any spark in the area where propane gas is present may ignite the gas. This could include the spark of a light switch, telephone, fan, or refrigerator motor, and even static electricity from walking across a room.
2 IMMEDIATELY get everyone out of the building, vehicle, trailer, or area.
3 Close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves.
4 Use your neighbor's phone to call a trained propane service person and the fire department. Do NOT reenter the building, vehicle, trailer, or area until a trained service person advises it is safe to return.
5 Let the service person and firefighters check for escaped gas. Have them air out the area before you return.
6 Have the trained propane service person
  • repair the tank
  • turn on the gas
  • check all the gas appliances, and
  • relight the pilots on the appliances
7 Reenter the area only when the service person and firefighters say it is safe.

CAUTION: It is strongly recommended that a trained professional relight your pilot lights or perform any service. If you decide to light the pilots yourself, carefully follow all the manufacturer's instructions and warnings in your appliance manuals.



AVOID UNNECESSARY RISKS

It is especially important to have a propane dealer relight the pilots after a gas-out situation. Lighting pilots is an extremely dangerous task for someone who is not trained to work with propane systems. National fire statistics show that many propane flash fires are associated with attempts to either relight or repair gas appliances.

Do not decide to light pilots without considering the dangerous risks that you would be assuming without having received the appropriate training.

In the event you choose not to have a qualified person relight pilots, review the following "DO's AND DO NOT's" before proceeding.

CAUTION: You may not be able to smell propane even though there is a leak



DO's AND DO NOT's

These Are The DO's...

  • Do thoroughly ventilate basements or closed-up houses before lighting pilots or working on propane appliances. Simply opening doors and windows for a few minutes may not be sufficient. There must be a positive cross ventilation air flow.
  • Do remain especially alert for the odor of propane when you are working near or with a propane appliance. Remember to sniff at floor level prior to and while lighting pilots, performing service, or making any adjustments.
  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions for lighting pilots.

These Are The DO NOT's...

  • Do NOT smoke or have any source of ignition (such as flames or spark producing materials) in the area.
  • Do NOT have extra or unnecessary people (particularly children) in an area when lighting a pilot or checking, repairing or adjusting any sort of propane appliance, equipment, piping, cylinder, or tank.
 
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