propane safety

Safety is important whether at home or work.

Keep combustibles, such as curtains, paper, cleaning fluids, etc., away from any energy source, including gas and electric appliances where they may cause a fire. Have a B/C rated fire extinguisher readily available. Be sure it is charged and that you and your family know how to use it.

• Gas appliances, like humans, need oxygen (air) to function properly.
• If you smell gas near your tank or cylinder, call your propane supplier.
• Use only listed propane appliances. Look for the seal from a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory.
• Use gas grills outdoors only. Use or store propane cylinders outdoors only.

Your safety and the safety of our employees are our most important concern.

Propane is a safe, reliable fuel. Like many other fuels, however, it is flammable. That means it can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Remember, in order to protect you, your family and others, you must be aware of (and respect) the normal, everyday hazards around you. Propane is no exception.

The propane in your gas system is stored under pressure. While it's stored, there's no problem. But, in the unlikely event your system develops a leak (which can be caused by physical damage or deterioration), it can become dangerous.

Propane burns at an even rate when properly mixed with air, as in your stove or furnace. But, if a significant leak occurs, a flame or spark could ignite it. If that happens, it could cause a fire - or even an explosion. Although such accidents are rare, we want you to be aware of this possibility. 

Your propane system has four basic parts:

• A tank or cylinder, equipped with a main shutoff valve;
• One or more regulators, designed to reduce pressure between the container and your appliance(s);
• Gas piping, to carry the propane to your appliance(s); and
• Gas appliance(s).

The tank or cylinder is where the propane is stored. It is equipped with a shutoff valve, which turns the gas "on" or "off". The regulator controls the gas pressure, while the gas piping carries the gas to your appliance(s).

It is important for you to know the location of the main shutoff valve on the tank or cylinder. Remember its location and become familiar with how to shut it off in an emergency situation.

The most important thing to know is what propane smells like. And that smell is like rotten eggs. Since propane doesn’t smell on its own, the rotten-egg smell is from an odorant added, called Mercaptan, so leaks can be more easily detected.

Thanks to strong regulations and high propane industry standards, propane has a strong safety record. But you still need to know how to protect yourself if you smell gas, whether it’s in your home or anywhere else around gas equipment.

• 1. 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 a fire.
• 2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
• 3. 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 completely to the right (clockwise).
• 4. 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.
• 5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer determines that it is safe to do so.
• 6. 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.