April 2015 Issue
a loss control resource for members
Compliments of
Propane Safety
Don’t Blow It – Protect Your Propane Tanks!
P
ropane gas, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas), is a widely used product
in the hardware industry. The two most common uses are to fuel equipment such
as forklifts and retail tank refilling. More than 670,000 forklifts in the United States are
powered by propane; which was approved as a clean burning fuel by the 1990 Clean Air
Act.
While propane equipment is manufactured to rigorous safety standards it remains the
responsibility of the store owner to store and maintain the propane properly. Propane
tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than other types of tanks-such as those used to
store ethanol, methanol and gas-partly because propane is very pressure and temperature
sensitive. The best way to prevent incidents with LP Gas is to understand what problems
these tanks pose so the risks can be averted.
Propane Tank Protection
Tampering
• Additional attention should be paid when a tank is near where groups of people gather such
as a schoolyard or an athletic field. There is a higher risk of potential vandalism or children
playing on or around the tanks.
• Protect the public and your property by enclosing the tank with perimeter fencing.
Environmental
• Tanks should not be stored within 10 feet of flammable materials.
• Keep tanks free of any debris that could be easily combustible such as rags, cardboard, leaves,
brush, vegetation, etc.
• Any supply of propane tanks awaiting use, should be locked in a secure area to limit handling and potential damage.
• “No Smoking” signs should be present and visible along with fire extinguishers located near
the tanks with perimeter fencing.
Vehicular Traffic
• If tanks are installed in close proximity to where automobile/equipment traffic may be present,
they should be protected from a potential impact.
• Concrete posts are a common and effective barrier.
Continued on the next page...
Know Your Tank’s Important Parts. . .
P
ropane tanks have a multitude of connections including
valves, gauges, and attachments. Every single piece and part of
a propane tank serves an important and specific purpose designed
for safety and consumer protection.
Propane Regulator
The propane gas regulator is one of the most important parts
of a propane system. The purpose of the regulator is to control
the flow of gas and lower the pressure of the tank. The regulator
not only acts as a control regarding the flow and distribution of
propane, but also as a safety barrier between the high pressure of
the tank and the end use appliance(s).
The purpose of a propane regulator is to “bottleneck”
the propane down to a safe and usable pressure.
Since the regulator is such an integral part of a propane system,
the regulator needs to be protected. Protecting a regulator means
keeping it covered. Regulators are generally found under the tank
dome with a vent pointed down to prevent rain, ice and other
debris from entering the regulator. The vent should also have a
screen to keep insects and their nests out of the regulator.
Regulators have internal moving parts that are subject to wear and
tear after time and use; they will need to be replaced. The industry
norm and most manufacturers’ recommendation are between
15 - 25 years. If you are unsure of the age of the regulator or
suspect a malfunction, your propane supplier can tell you if
replacement is needed.
Regulators are not repaired – they are replaced!
Replacing the regulator means interrupting the flow of gas; a leak
check is required before the gas can be turned back on. Don’t put
yourself in danger by attempting to install your own regulator.
Call your propane supply company or a licensed LP Gas plumber.
It will be safer and cheaper in the long run.
Propane tanks should be painted a heat-reflective color, unless
in an extremely cold environment. Often store owners paint the
tanks a dark or non-reflective paint to match their store location.
This poses two problems. First, this creates a visibility issue that
can create accidents involving collisions with the tanks. Secondly,
dark non-reflective colors absorb heat as opposed to light colors
that reflect heat. Simply said, the absorption of heat increases the
temperature and therefore the volume of the propane within the
tank. With increased volume of the propane within the tank, there
is a possibility the high pressure will cause the safety relief valve to
open. On extremely hot days, spray the tanks with cool water to
help reduce the internal temperature to lower gas pressure.
Certified Employee Training Program (CETP)
A formal structure for training,
testing and documentation to
assure that workers in the
propane industry have the
necessary knowledge and skills
to perform their work safely and
effectively. CETP is used extensively throughout
the country and is continually expanding and
updating the program.
Safety Relief Valve
The safety relief valve is one of the most important and
vital valves on an LP Gas container. All propane tanks and
cylinders are required by law to be fitted with pressure
relief devices to release excess pressure within the tank. The
function of a relief valve is to prevent a propane tank from
rupturing in the event of a significant buildup of excessive
pressure. Should the safety relief valve open, it will “popoff ” and will need to be replaced.
Propane is virtually odorless in its natural state. A commercial
odorant is added so propane can be detected if it leaks from its
container. Propane leaks are easy to detect due to the strong smell
that is often compared to the scent of rotten eggs. The presence of
a smell is the most common way to detect a leak from a propane
tank. Leaks do not form a puddle; propane dissipates in the
air. If you suspect a leak in your propane tanks, call a licensed
technician immediately.
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The above material has been provided by and/or copied from http://toolbox.memberinsurance.com, http://www.epa.gov, http: www.osha.gov, http://www.npga.org and http://www.westernpga.org
This document is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for individual legal counsel or advice on issues discussed herein. Readers seeking resolution of specific legal issues or
business concerns related to the captioned topic should consult their attorney and/or insurance representative.
For additional risk management tips and resources, visit The Toolbox
website or email [email protected].