What is 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.

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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 ordorant 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.

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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

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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). Energy Partners does sell a detector that can detect propane, methane and carbon monoxide. Please call your local office for more information.

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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 this 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

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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 should should an alarm to warn you of the presence of carbon monoxide.

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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 purge the cylinder to remove air and moisture from 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 lighters to check for leaks.
• Turn off the valves on the cylinder when not use.
• 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.

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Snow & Ice

Heavy accumulations of snow and ice on regulators, piping, tubing and valves can cause damage that could result in gas leakage. Keep snow and ice from accumulating on tanks, regulators, piping, tubing and valves on the outside of your building. Regulator vents must be kept clear of snow and ice to work properly. When removing snow, exercise care around tanks, pipes, tubing, valves, regulators, and other equipment to prevent damage. It is suggested that a broom be used instead of a shovel when clearing snow from the above-mentioned items. To assist us with providing safe service when filling your propane tank, please remove as much snow as possible from the walkway and tank area so our driver will have ready access to the tank. Please note that if conditions to access your tank are marginal, you may be charged a "chain up" fee. Deliveries may also not be made if the truck cannot safely access the tank. If you have your driveway plowed, please note that our trucks need to have at least 10 feet of width to be able to drive. Turn around areas need to be at least 40 feet in diameter. Do not shovel snow off of roofs and onto propane tanks, regulators, valves, piping or tubing on the outside of buildings. The weight of the snow could damage the propane equipment. Appliance vents, chimneys and flues must be kept clear of snow and ice so appliances can vent properly. This is especially critical on the roofs of mobile homes.

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Wildfire Season

Wildfires can strike quickly-spreading fear, inconvenience and loss. So be prepared. It's the best way to protect your family and property.

Before

• Know how and where to shut off your propane supply and other utilities.
• Always store propane tanks outdoors.
• Remove any debris or combustible materials from around storage tanks.
• Use caution when evacuating. Turn off the service valve on the propane container in a clockwise direction and shutoff valve on all propane appliances.
  
  After:
• Use caution when re-entering the residence or returning to the site.
• Check for gas odors. If a gas odor is detected, do not operate electrical switches, appliances, telephone or cell phones. These actions could ignite an explosion.
• If your propane tank has shifted, gas lines are bent, broken or damaged; or you notice something unusual about your system or appliance, safety permitting, turn off the main supply valve.
• Contact your propane supplier to schedule a complete inspection of your propane containers, piping and system to determine if fire damage has compromised its integrity.
• If valves have been shut off, a leakage test is required prior to reinitiating service. Storage containers may have to be repaired.
  

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