|
|
About Propane
In its natural state, propane is an
odorless and colorless gas that is widely used to fuel appliances for heating,
cooking and other uses. While propane is used as a gas for fueling appliances,
it is transported and stored as a liquid under high pressure in specially
designed containers referred to either as tanks or cylinders. When liquid
propane changes into a gas vapor, it expands in volume by about 270 times,
meaning that propane is very economical to store and transport as a liquid
rather than as a gas vapor. However, this characteristic also means that even a
small leak of liquid propane can result in a much larger quantity of propane
vapor, which can be especially dangerous in a confined space.
Similar to
any other flammable gas or flammable liquid, propane is very
safe when stored and handled properly. However, if propane
is not properly and safely stored and handled, it can cause
property damage, injuries, or even death. For this reason,
it is important for the safety of the members of your
household that they have a thorough understanding of the
properties and characteristics of propane, and the hazards
and risks associated with its use. Contact your local
propane dealer with questions that you have about propane.]
Properties and
Characteristics of Propane
-
In its natural state, propane is an odorless and colorless gas.
-
A chemical odorant has been added to propane to give it a distinct smell.
-
Propane is stored as a liquid under pressure in tanks and cylinders.
-
In most residential applications, propane is used as a vapor.
-
If propane comes in contact with your skin, it can result in frost burns.
Concentrations of propane may cause flash fires or explosions.
-
Propane vapor is heavier than air, and it may collect initially at floor levels
or in other low areas before it begins to dissipate; therefore, to check for the
presence of propane, carefully smell all over a room, especially in low spots.
-
Even a slight gas odor may signal a serious propane gas leak, and you should
take immediate action if you smell gas or suspect a leak.
-
Consult your propane dealer for detailed information about using propane safely.
Know the Odor of Propane
In its natural state, propane is odorless and colorless. A chemical odorant has
been added to give a distinct smell to the propane. The purpose of the odorant
is to help people detect the presence of propane. It is important that members
of the household are able to distinguish the smell of odorized propane. Under
certain conditions, a person may be prevented from smelling the odorant such as:
-
Colds, allergies, congestion or other
similar medical conditions.
-
Use of tobacco, alcohol and/or drugs.
-
Decline in a person's sense of smell.
-
Olfactory fatigue from being exposed to
the odorant for a period of time.
-
Odor masking where strong odors can
overpower the smell of the odorant.
-
Leaking gas passing through soil may
reduce the smell of the odorant.
-
The odorant in the propane may not
awaken a sleeping person.
Ask your propane dealer to demonstrate the smell of odorized propane and provide
an explanation about the odorant.
If You Smell a Leak
-
DO get everyone out of the home and
away from nearby areas.
-
DO NOT attempt to find the leak.
-
DO NOT attempt to repair your appliance
or light your pilot light.
-
DO NOT turn on or off light switches
inside the home.
-
DO NOT use a telephone inside the home
or in nearby areas.
-
DO NOT light matches anywhere inside or
near the home.
-
DO attempt to shut off the valves at
the tank.
-
DO call both your propane supplier and
the fire department for help from a telephone away from the home and nearby
area.
Propane Gas Detectors
-
Propane gas detectors are available as
an extra measure to detect leaks.
-
Gas detectors are only an aid and are
not intended to reduce or eliminate proper safety procedures when a person
smells the odor of gas, even when the alarm on the gas detector has not been
activated.
-
It is extremely important to follow
manufacturers' instructions when installing a detector.
-
When selecting a gas detector, you
should choose only detectors that are listed with the Underwriters
Laboratories (UL).
Maintaining Your Propane System
The propane system at your home or business should be installed, maintained and
repaired only by qualified personnel. Call a qualified service technician to
light or re-light pilot lights on your appliances.
-
DO NOT bleed gas lines into enclosed
areas.
-
DO NOT tamper with gas controls on your
appliances.
-
DO NOT use appliances that have been
flooded or have become wet, since the controls can be damaged or become
rusty and malfunction, causing the safety feature built into the controls to
permit a dangerous leak of propane.
-
DO have wet or flooded appliances and
controls serviced immediately.
-
DO NOT let your propane system run out
of propane. If it happens, turn off the gas valve on the tank or cylinder
and call your propane dealer.
-
DO have your propane system and all
appliances periodically checked by a qualified service technician for proper
operation and safety.
Carbon Monoxide
-
Not maintaining all of your appliances
in good repair can result in potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
-
Improperly vented appliances can cause
carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include
one or more of the following: eye irritation, headaches, dizziness,
sleepiness or excessive moisture buildup on the inside of windows.
-
If you identify any of the above-noted
symptoms, ventilate immediately (i.e., open windows and doors) and call a
qualified service technician for help. Never use camping equipment or
portable heaters that are not designed for recreational vehicles.
-
Consider installing one or more carbon
monoxide detectors inside of your home or recreational vehicle, which may
sound an alarm to warn you of the presence of carbon monoxide.
Small Cylinder Safety
-
Use only DOT-approved cylinders that
are in good condition.
-
When using a new cylinder for the first
time, insist that your propane dealer purges the cylinder to remove air and
moisture in the tank.
-
Propane will expand and contract
depending on the temperature.
-
Cylinders should only be filled to 80%
of capacity.
-
Propane is a flammable gas that has
been odorized.
-
Know the odor of the gas. The odor is
for leak detection.
-
Leaking propane may cause fires and
explosions.
-
Before lighting propane gas appliances,
check all connections for tightness using a leak detection solution.
-
Be sure to read the manufacturer's
instructions before operating gas appliances.
-
Never use propane from a cylinder
without a regulator.
-
Do not use matches or lighter to check
for leaks.
-
Turn off the valves on the cylinder
when not using.
-
Never store a cylinder indoors or in an
enclosed vehicle.
-
When transporting a cylinder, make sure
that it is secured and in the upright position, so that the valves are in
the vapor space.
-
Never smoke or have open flames near
propane cylinders.
-
When filling cylinders attached to your
vehicle, be sure that all sources of ignition are shut off; this includes
pilot lights and vehicle engines.
-
Call your propane dealer for more
cylinder safety information.
|
