Propane Tank Safety
EMERGENCY PROPANE SAFETY PROCEDURES
If you suspect a gas leak in your tank, do not do anything that can cause a spark or flame. Any spark or flame in the area where propane gas is present may ignite the gas.
- Immediately put out smoking materials and other open flames.
- Do not turn lights on or off.
- Do not use any type of phone.
- Do not operate any type of equipment or appliance.
- If possible, close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves. Tank and cylinder valves turn off in the clockwise direction.
- Ventilate the area.
- Get everyone out, and leave the area at once.
- Call your local fire department and propane service professional from a safe place such as a neighbor’s home.
- Do not re-enter the area until it has been inspected by a professional and determined to be safe. Make sure the area has been aired out prior to your return.
- Have a CETP-trained propane service professional repair any leak, turn on the gas, leak test the system, check all the gas appliances and relight the pilot lights.
IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS
- Never enter an area where you suspect a gas tank leak.
- If you suspect a leak, do not do anything that can cause a spark or flame. Do not smoke or operate light switches.
- Always be alert for any propane odor. Even a faint odor may indicate danger.
- Repeated pilot outages may signal a problem with your system. Don’t attempt to relight the pilot or service your equipment. Call Discount Propane, Inc.
- If you choose to light your own pilots, follow all of the appliance manufacturer’s instructions.
- Before lighting a propane gas appliance, sniff the area at floor level. Don’t light the appliance if you smell gas.
- If your appliance has been flooded, shut off the gas immediately at the tank. Do not use the appliance until the equipment has been checked and serviced by Discount Propane.
- Improperly vented or defective appliances can cause life threatening carbon monoxide poisoning. Have your propane system and appliances regularly checked by Discount Propane.
- Don’t use tools to operate controls. If controls are difficult to operate by hand, call Discount Propane.
- Keep combustible products like gasoline, kerosene or cleaners away from propane appliances and tanks. Your appliance pilot lights could ignite fumes from these products.
- Always read instructions carefully prior to operating any propane gas appliance.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Propane is flammable and may cause fires and explosions.
- No odorant is effective to warn every user all of the time.
- Improperly vented or defective appliances can cause life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Colds, allergies, smoking, alcohol or age can affect your ability to smell any odor.
- Strong competing odors may mask the odor of escaping propane. Continued exposure to any odor, including odorized propane, can cause you to get used to the odor and fail to detect its presence. The strength of the odor is not a reliable indicator of the amount of gas present.
- Propane is heavier than air, making floor-level leaks hard to detect. When smelling for propane, be sure to smell at floor level.
- Exposure to certain masonry materials may lessen the effectiveness of the odorant.
