! Propane Safety What to Do n Case of Emergency How to Use Propane Safely Propane Scratch-and-Snff Test Applance Safety and Mantenance Tps 1
11!?? READ THIS FIRST?! IF YOU SMELL GAS 1 1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immedately put out all smokng materals and other open flames. Do not operate lghts, applances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trgger an eploson or a fire.! 2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the buldng or area where you suspect gas s leakng. 11 UPRIGHT TANKS ABOVE-GROUND TANK 5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA untl your propane retaler determnes that t s safe to do so. ABOVE-GROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANK VALVE UNDERGROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE UPRIGHT TANK VALVE 2? 4. REPORT THE LEAK. From a neghbor s home or other nearby buldng away from the gas leak, call your propane retaler rght away. If you can t reach your propane retaler, call or your local fire department. UPRIGHT TANK VALVE UPRIGHT TANKS? 6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane applances, your propane retaler or a qualfied servce techncan must check your entre system to ensure that t s leak-free. 3. SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the man gas supply valve on your propane tank, f t s safe to do so. To close the valve, turn t to the rght (clockwse). 1?
CARBON MONOXIDE AND YOUR SAFETY WHAT DOES PROPANE SMELL LIKE? Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell lke rotten eggs, a skunk s spray, or a dead anmal. Propane manufacturers add the smell delberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, whch can create a safety hazard. WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)? You cannot taste or smell CO, but t s a very dangerous gas produced when any fuel burns. CO CAN BE DEADLY! In etreme cases, hgh levels of or etended eposure to CO can result n bran damage or death. Symptoms of CO posonng nclude: Headache Dzzness Shortness of breath Nausea Fatgue TAKE THE SNIFF TEST Scratch and snff the blue crcle. The odor s smlar to propane odor. Have everyone n your famly take the snff test. Always take acton f you smell any knd of foul odor. IF YOU SUSPECT CO IS PRESENT, ACT IMMEDIATELY! 1. If you or a famly member shows physcal symptoms of CO posonng, get everyone out of the buldng and call or your local fre department. 2. If t s safe to do so, open wndows to allow entry of fresh ar, and turn off any applances you suspect may be releasng the CO. 3. If no one has physcal symptoms of CO posonng, but you suspect that CO s present, call your propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan to check CO levels and your propane equpment. 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Secton 1 Secton 2 Propane Safety Bascs Make Tme for Safety Propane Facts If You Smell Gas Recognzng the Smell of Propane Can You Smell It? Odor Fade Propane Gas Detectors Carbon Monode (CO) and Your Safety System Safety Runnng Out of Gas Lghtng Plot Lghts Applance Mantenance Applance Connectors If You Move or Get a New Applance Tamperng wth Applances or Propane Equpment 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 12 12 14 15 16 16 2
Secton 3 Secton 4 Append Other Important Safety Stuatons Flammable Vapor Ignton Closng Up a House Weather-Related Emergences Usng Space Heaters Safely Small-Cylnder Safety Your Propane System How Does Propane Get to Your House? Mantenance Record Safety Checklst Important Contacts 18 18 19 20 20 25 26 28 29 3
PROPANE SAFETY BASICS Make Tme for Safety Propane Facts If You Smell Gas Recognzng the Smell of Propane Can You Smell It? Odor Fade Propane Gas Detectors Carbon Monode (CO) and Your Safety 14 USER TIP: * After readng through ths manual, please take a few mnutes more to share t wth your famly. It s mportant that everyone n your famly understands how to use propane safely.
MAKE TIME FOR SAFETY Propane s a safe, economcal, clean-burnng, and versatle fuel when properly used. Ths manual s desgned to gve you and your famly the nformaton you need to safely and comfortably enjoy all the benefts that propane can delver. Only you can keep your famly safe, so be sure that all famly members revew the mportant safety nformaton n ths manual. Regardless of the type of energy you use, safety s etremely mportant. Wth propane as wth electrcty, natural gas, fuel ol, gasolne, or any other energy form you need to understand how your delvery system and applances work, and what to do n case of a leak or other safetyrelated emergency. PROPANE FACTS Propane (also called LPG lquefed petroleum gas or LP gas) s a wdely used fuel. It s transported and stored as a lqud under pressure and s usually used as a gas. Severe freeze burn or frostbte can result f propane lqud comes n contact wth your skn. The lqud propane s turned nto a gas nsde a tank or a cylnder. In ts natural form, propane s colorless and odorless. To make propane easer to detect n the event of a leak or spll, manufacturers delberately add a chemcal compound to gve t a dstnctve smell. Propane s flammable when med wth ar (oygen) and can be gnted by many sources, ncludng open flames, smokng materals, electrcal sparks, and statc electrcty.! PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE SAFETY RULES IN THIS BROCHURE. SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR FAMILY TO HELP KEEP EVERY- ONE SAFE AND TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL INJURY, FIRE, OR EXPLOSION. Propane vapors are heaver than ar. For ths reason, they may accumulate n low-lyng areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and dtches, or along floors. However, ar currents can sometmes carry propane vapors elsewhere wthn a buldng. SECTION 1 // PROPANE SAFETY BASICS 5
IF YOU SMELL GAS 1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immedately put out all smokng materals and other open flames. Do not operate lghts, applances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trgger an eploson or a fire.!!! ABOVE-GROUND TANK??? 3. SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the man gas supply valve on your propane tank, f t s safe to do so. To close the valve, turn t to the rght (clockwse). 4. REPORT THE LEAK. From a neghbor s home buldng away from the gas leak, or other nearby?rght away. If you can t call your propane retaler 2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the buldng or area where you suspect gas s leakng. ABOVE-GROUND TANK! UNDERGROUND TANK ABOVE-GROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE UNDERGROUND TANK UNDERGROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE UPRIGHT TANK VALVE reach your propane retaler, call or your local fire department. 5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA untl your propane retaler determnes that t s safe to do so. 6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane applances, your propane retaler or a qualfied servce techncan must check your entre system to ensure that t s leak-free. ABOVE-GROUND TANK 6 ABOVE-GROUND TANK
RECOGNIZING THE SMELL OF PROPANE Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell lke rotten eggs, a skunk s spray, or a dead anmal. Propane manufacturers add the smell delberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, whch can create a safety hazard. TAKE THE SNIFF TEST. Teach everyone n your home or buldng what propane smells lke. Use the blue crcle on the page opposte of the nsde front cover. The odor s smlar to propane odor. Always take acton f you smell any foul odor.? CAN YOU SMELL IT? It may be hard for some people to smell propane for the followng reasons: They have a cold, allerges, snus congeston, or another medcal condton. Ther sense of smell s reduced due to use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. Tobacco smoke, cookng odors, and other strong odors can mask the smell of propane. As people age, ther sense of smell can become less senstve. If the smell of propane s present n the ar over a perod of tme, odor fatgue can occur. The nose gets tred, and a person no longer smells the propane odor. The propane smell may not be strong enough to wake up someone who s sleepng. The propane smell may be n a locaton (basement or attc) where t s not detected by people n other areas of the buldng. A phenomenon called odor fade can occur an unntended reducton n the concentraton of the odor of propane (as eplaned on page 8). SECTION 1 // PROPANE SAFETY BASICS 7
ODOR FADE PROPANE GAS DETECTORS! ODOR FADE ALSO CAN DIMINISH PROPANE S SMELL. Odor fade s an unntended reducton n the concentraton of the odor of propane, makng t more dffcult to smell. Although rare, several stuatons can cause odor fade: Ar, water, or rust n a propane tank or cylnder can reduce propane odor concentraton. If the propane s leakng underground, ts passage through sol may reduce the smell of propane. The propane odor may stck to the nsde surfaces of gas ppng and dstrbuton systems and possbly other materals. Snce there s a possblty of odor fade or problems wth your sense of smell, you should respond mmedately to even a fant odor of gas. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED that you or others n your home may have dffculty smellng propane, consder buyng one or more propane gas detectors. CONSIDER INSTALLING GAS DETECTORS. Propane gas detectors are desgned to sound an alarm f they sense the presence of propane. Ther operaton does not depend on the concentraton of odorant n the ar, just the propane concentraton at the detector. We recommend that you consder nstallng one or more propane gas detectors. Ths s mportant f you or others n your home have dffculty smellng propane, or f applances are n lttle-used areas n your home where the smell of propane mght not be detected. Detectors can provde an addtonal measure of securty. DETECTOR QUALITY IS IMPORTANT. Be sure the unts you buy are lsted by Underwrters Laboratores (UL). To be sure propane gas detectors operate properly, nstall and mantan them as the manufacturer recommends. TRUST YOUR NOSE. Never gnore the smell of propane, even f no detector s soundng an alarm to sgnal the presence of propane. However, f a detector s soundng an alarm, treat t as an emergency and act mmedately, even f you do not smell the propane. CHECK YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM. Even f you nstall gas detectors, have a qualfed servce techncan nspect your propane system and propane applances perodcally. 8
! ABOVE-GROUND TANK CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) AND YOUR SAFETY? WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE? Carbon monode (CO) s a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and toc gas. Smokng a cgarette; dlng a gasolne engne; and burnng fuel ol, wood, kerosene, natural gas, and propane all produce CO. Hgh levels of CO can be produced when fuels are burned ncompletely. WHERE DO HIGH LEVELS OF CO COME FROM? Hgh levels of CO can be generated by applances that are defectve or mproperly nstalled or mantaned. CO can also enter a home f an applance ventng system or chmney becomes blocked (for eample, by a brd s nest). CO CAN BE DEADLY! Hgh levels of CO can make you dzzy, gve you headaches, or cause flu-lke symptoms (see the lst below). In etreme cases, hgh levels of or etended eposure to CO can result n bran damage or death. Young chldren; the elderly; people wth heart dsease; and those under the nfluence of alcohol, drugs, or medcaton are partcularly susceptble to CO posonng. Symptoms of CO posonng nclude: UNDERGROUND TANK Headache UPRIGHT TANKS Dzzness Fatgue UPRIGHT Shortness TANK VALVE of breath Nausea CO DETECTORS CAN IMPROVE SAFETY. CO detectors are desgned to sound an alarm when they sense ecessve levels of CO n the ar. For an etra measure of safety, we recommend that you consder nstallng a CO detector lsted by UL on each level of your home. Be sure to follow the manufacturer s nstructons regardng nstallaton, locaton, and mantenance. IF YOU SUSPECT CO IS PRESENT, ACT IMMEDIATELY! 1. If you or a famly member shows physcal symptoms of CO posonng, get everyone out of the buldng and call or your local fre department. 2. If t s safe to do so, open wndows to allow entry of fresh ar, and turn off any applances you suspect may be releasng the CO. 3. If no one has physcal symptoms of CO posonng, but you suspect that CO s present, call your propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan to check CO levels and your propane equpment. SECTION 1 // PROPANE SAFETY BASICS 9
! TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CO POISONING: Have a qualfed servce techncan check your propane applances and ventng systems annually, preferably before the heatng season begns. Consder nstallng a UL-lsted CO detector on every level of your home. Never use a gas oven or range-top burners to provde space heatng. Never use portable heaters ndoors, unless they are desgned and approved for ndoor use. Never use a barbecue grll (propane or charcoal) ndoors for cookng or heatng. Regularly check your applance ehaust vents for blockage. SOME SIGNS OF IMPROPER APPLIANCE OPERATION THAT CAN GENERATE HIGH CO LEVELS: Sootng, especally on applances and vents Unfamlar or burnng odor Increased mosture nsde of wndows 10
SYSTEM SAFETY Runnng Out of Gas Lghtng Plot Lghts Applance Mantenance Applance Connectors If You Move or Get a New Applance Tamperng wth Applances or Propane Equpment 2 * USER TIP: Do not try to modfy or repar any part of your propane system. Dong so creates the rsk of a gas leak that can result n serous and potentally fatal njury, fre, or eploson. 11
!? RUNNING OUT OF GAS DON T RUN OUT OF GAS. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, INCLUDING FIRE OR EXPLOSION, CAN RESULT. If an applance valve or a gas lne s left open when the propane supply runs out, a leak could occur when the system s recharged wth propane. Ar and mosture could get nto an empty or depleted storage tank, whch can cause rust buld-up nsde the tank. Rust can decrease the concentraton of the odor of propane, makng t harder to smell. If your propane tank runs out of gas, any plot ABOVE-GROUND TANK lghts on your applances wll go out. Ths can be etremely dangerous f not handled properly. A LEAK CHECK IS REQUIRED. In many states, a propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan must perform UNDERGROUND a leak TANK check of your UPRIGHT TANKS propane system before turnng on the gas. SET UP REGULAR DELIVERY. Establsh a regular delvery schedule wth your propane retaler. Also, perodcally check the fuel gauge on your propane tank. If the fuel level drops below 20%, call your propane retaler. UPRIGHT TANK VALVE LIGHTING PILOT LIGHTS IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN LIGHT ANY PILOT LIGHT THAT HAS GONE OUT. WHAT IS A PILOT LIGHT? Many propane applances may have a plot lght a small, constantly burnng flame nsde the applance. (Applances wthout a plot lght often have electronc gnton nstead.) If your applance has a plot lght, t s an mportant safety feature. The plot lght gntes the man burner when needed. WHEN A PILOT LIGHT GOES OUT. A plot lght that repeatedly goes out or s very dffcult to lght may be sgnalng that there s a problem wth the applance or wth your propane system. If ths occurs, do not try to f the problem yourself. Contact a qualfed servce techncan to evaluate the applance. Accdents and serous njures can occur when customers attempt to f a plot lght problem on ther own. UPRIGHT TANK VALVE 12
! IF YOU LIGHT A PILOT LIGHT YOURSELF, YOU ARE TAKING THE RISK OF STARTING A FIRE OR AN EXPLOSION. MANY SERIOUS INJURIES OCCUR WHEN PEOPLE ATTEMPT TO LIGHT PILOT LIGHTS. PROCEED WITH GREAT CAUTION AND FOLLOW THESE RULES: Carefully follow all of the manufacturer s nstructons and warnngs concernng the applance. If the applance s n a basement or closed room, thoroughly ventlate the area before lghtng the plot. DO NOT smoke or have any source of gnton (such as flames or spark-producng materals) n the area before lghtng the plot. Be especally alert for the smell of propane. Snff at floor level before lghtng a plot. IF YOU SMELL GAS, DO NOT LIGHT THE PILOT LIGHT. DO NOT allow any etra or unnecessary people (especally chldren) to reman n the room or area of the buldng where you are lghtng a plot. DO NOT try to lght plot lghts n any area where other odors may make t dffcult for you to detect the smell of a propane leak. DO NOT lght the plot f a musty or damp smell perssts. These condtons can mask the smell of propane. DO NOT apply force or use tools on the plot lght or ts control. Ths could cause damage that leads to gas leakage. Use only your hands to operate knobs, swtches, or buttons. DO NOT attempt to let ar out of gas lnes by openng a valve or fttng nsde a buldng or enclosed space. You may release gas and not be able to smell t. DO NOT apply ol to a stcky knob or button on a gas control valve. Ol can cause the control valve mechansm to stck and malfuncton. SECTION 2 // SYSTEM SAFETY 13
APPLIANCE MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT. All applances usng propane must be properly mantaned n order to operate safely, properly, and effcently. LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS. Only a qualfed servce techncan has the proper tranng to nstall, servce, mantan, and repar your applances. Make sure you have a qualfed servce techncan nstall and servce your applances. ANNUAL INSPECTION IS IMPORTANT. Contact a qualfed servce techncan to perform an applance nspecton. BE SURE YOUR APPLIANCES CAN BREATHE PROPERLY. Regularly check the vents of your applances to be sure that flue gases can flow easly to the outdoors. Insects, brds, and small anmals sometmes buld nests n vent ppes. Other obstructons such as snow or ce may also occur. If you see evdence of ths, call a qualfed servce techncan. Also, clear the area around your applance to be sure plenty of ar can reach the burner for proper combuston.! NEVER store combustble materals near applances. WATCH FOR YELLOW FLAMES OR SOOT BUILD-UP. When applances are operatng properly, propane burns wth a blue flame. If you see? yellow flames, or notce sgnfcant amounts of soot on any equpment, the gas may not be burnng completely. Ths can create carbon monode, a colorless, odorless, and posonous gas. Contact a qualfed servce techncan f any of the above condtons occur. ABOVE-GROUND TANK UNDERGROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE 14
APPLIANCE CONNECTORS PROPERLY INSTALL AND MAINTAIN CONNECTORS. The fnal secton of the system that brngs gas to your applances s the applance connector (see llustraton on page 24). It s mportant that all applance connectors are properly nspected, nstalled, and mantaned by a qualfed servce techncan. HAVE CONNECTORS CHECKED WHEN MOVING OR REPLACING APPLIANCES. Connectors can wear out from too much movng, bendng, or corroson. Connectors should be checked by a qualfed servce techncan whenever the applance s replaced or moved from ts locaton. HAVE OLDER APPLIANCE CONNECTORS INSPECTED. Over tme, some types of applance connectors can crack or break, resultng n a serous gas leak and the possblty of fre or eploson. The Consumer Product Safety Commsson (CPSC) has warned that certan types of older connectors are etremely dangerous. If you have an applance that s more than 20 years old, have a qualfed servce techncan nspect the connectors to be sure they are safe and meet current safety-code requrements. DO NOT MOVE AN APPLIANCE YOURSELF to check the connector; ths mght damage the connector and create a leak. USE ONLY APPROVED APPLIANCE CONNECTORS. Make sure that all connectors and gas ppng/tubng that brng propane to your applances are nstalled by a qualfed servce techncan and approved by the Amercan Natonal Standards Insttute (ANSI). SECTION 2 // SYSTEM SAFETY 15
IF YOU MOVE OR GET A NEW APPLIANCE TREAT CONNECTORS WITH CARE. When an? applance s moved, be careful not to damage the applance connector (the fleble tubng that brngs gas to the unt). Older connectors can crack f fleed or twsted, whch can lead to a gas leak. IS THE APPLIANCE DESIGNED TO USE PROPANE? Be sure that any new or used applance beng nstalled s desgned for use wth propane. Natural gas applances SHOULD NOT be used wth propane unless a qualfed servce techncan has made requred adjustments to the applance. HAVE THE APPLIANCE CHECKED OUT BEFORE YOU USE IT. Be sure that the applance s properly nstalled and that all controls and valves operate correctly. Contact a qualfed servce techncan for assstance.! TAMPERING WITH APPLIANCES OR PROPANE EQUIPMENT? DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to modfy or repar valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other applance and cylnder/tank parts. Dong so creates the rsk of a gas leak. CALL AN EXPERT. If you are unable to operate any part of your propane system, or f you thnk an applance or other devce s not operatng properly, call your propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan. They can nspect, adjust, repar, or replace any part of your propane system. YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED FOR SAFETY. Propane cylnders, tanks, and applances ncorporate specal components (such as valves, connectors, controls, burners, and plot lghts) to keep them safe for use. Damagng these components can cause gas leaks. CAP OR PLUG UNATTACHED GAS LINES. If you move a gas applance and dsconnect t from a gas lne, be sure to contact your propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan to close, cap, or plug the open gas lne. Any connectors or gas lne not connected to an applance can leak gas, or can be damaged f water accumulates nsde t. The valve on any unattached gas lne must be closed, and the open end must be sealed by nstallng a threaded cap or plug. ABOVE-GROUND TANK UNDERGROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE LVE 16
OTHER IMPORTANT SAFETY SITUATIONS Flammable Vapor Ignton Closng Up a House Weather-Related Emergences Usng Space Heaters Safely Small-Cylnder Safety 3 USER TIP: * Never store propane cylnders ndoors or n an enclosed area. Any gas leakng from a cylnder could buld up and be gnted by a fl ame or spark, causng an eploson or a f re. 17
! FLAMMABLE VAPOR IGNITION FLAMMABLE VAPORS ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! Vapors from flammable products such as gasolne, kerosene, pant thnner, and solvents can be gnted accdentally by the plot lght of a propane applance. Flammable vapors are often heaver than ar and may travel along the ground and collect n low or confned areas (such as a basement or pt). Sometmes the vapors may follow ar currents n the buldng to hgher levels. Any source of gnton n these areas (such as a plot lght, spark, heater element, or electrc motor) could cause an eploson or a fre.? CLOSING UP A HOUSE KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE WHEN YOU RE AWAY. If you re leavng your home for an etended perod, consder closng all propane supply valves. Ths ncludes the man gas supply valve on the propane tank as well as gas supply valves located near ndvdual applances. WHEN YOU RETURN to your home after an etended absence, contact your propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan to conduct a leak check before the propane s turned on and to re-lght the plot lghts. TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF FLAMMABLE VAPOR IGNITION: Store flammable lquds n well-sealed contaners outsde. Do not use gasolne, ABOVE-GROUND TANK cleanng fluds, ol-soaked rags, or other flammable lquds nsde a buldng where propane applances are located. VE-GROUND TANK PROPANE VAPORS CAN BE DANGEROUS. Propane vapor s UNDERGROUND also combustble TANK UPRIGHT and TANKS can gnte eplosvely. Keep propane storage contaners closed. Never store propane cylnders n an enclosed area, or near a heat or gnton source. UPRIGHT TANK VALVE ERGROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE 18
WEATHER-RELATED EMERGENCIES PROTECT YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM IF THE WEATHER TURNS BAD. Before, durng, or after severe weather, you may need to take specfc acton to ensure the contnued safe operaton of your propane system. WATER CAN DAMAGE YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM. If floodng s predcted for your area, turn off the gas valve at the cylnder or tank BEFORE the water rses. Do not turn the gas back on untl the gas system and all applances have been checked by a qualfed servce techncan. AFTER A FLOOD, contact a qualfed servce techncan to check your propane system and applances. A qualf ed servce techncan wll lkely have to do some or all of the followng: Replace the regulator and/or pressure relef valves f there are sgns of water, drt, debrs, or corroson. Replace the automatc controls and applance regulators on any gas applances that have been under water. Inspect and (f necessary) replace manual shut-off valves n gas ppng, and perform tank testng of the system. Clean applance man and plot burners and replace plot orfces. CLEAR THE SNOW. You should clear heavy snow and ce from regulators, regulator vents, ppng, tubng, and valves. Falure to do so can cause damage that could result n a gas leak. Applance vents, chmneys, and flues also must be kept clear of snow and ce so applances can vent properly. Ths s especally crtcal on the roofs of moble homes. Clear snow carefully. Use a broom rather than a shovel to avod damagng any components. Also, clear the walkway and tank area so that propane-company personnel have ready access to your tank. WHAT IF SOMETHING DOESN T LOOK RIGHT AFTER A STORM? If your tank has shfted poston; gas lnes are bent, broken, or damaged; or you see somethng else unusual about your system or applance, turn off the man gas supply valve on your propane tank, f t s safe to do so. Then contact your propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan. SECTION 3 // OTHER IMPORTANT SAFETY SITUATIONS 19
! USING SPACE HEATERS SAFELY USE THE RIGHT KIND OF HEATER. Some propane space heaters are desgned only for use outdoors. Others are desgned only for use ndoors. Check your owner s manual or contact a qualfed servce techncan to be sure you are usng the rght knd of heater. DO NOT USE AN OUTDOOR HEATER INDOORS. Hgh levels of CO can be generated from heaters that are not desgned for ndoor use. Hgh levels of CO can make you dzzy, gve you headaches, or cause flu-lke symptoms. In etreme cases, etended eposure to CO can result n bran damage or death. ABOVE-GROUND TANK READ YOUR SPACE HEATER MANUAL. The applance manufacturer s manual that came wth your space heater tells how to set up and operate t safely. Read the entre manual and UNDERGROUND TANK carefully follow all drectons.!!? UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE SMALL-CYLINDER SAFETY? You may occasonally use small propane cylnders to operate barbecue grlls and other outdoor applances. If so, be sure to follow these basc safety tps: IF YOU SMELL GAS 1. Immedately put out all smokng materals and other open flames. 2. If you are able to, safely turn off the cylnder valve. To close the valve, turn t to the rght (clockwse). 3. Immedately leave the area and call or your local fre department. 4. Before you restart the applance, have a qualfed servce techncan nspect your cylnder and applance. ABOVE-GROUND TANK UNDERGROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE 20 ABOVE-GROUND TANK
STORAGE OF SMALL CYLINDERS NEVER store or place a propane cylnder ndoors or n an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, shed, or tent. NEVER store or place a propane cylnder n an area of ecessve? heat (120 degrees or hgher) or near a stove, freplace, or other heat source. The heat bulds up pressure nsde the cylnder, whch may cause the pressure relef valve to release propane. Flash fres or eplosons can result from eposng cylnders to heat. NEVER store or place a spare cylnder under or near a barbecue grll. DO NOT smoke or have any gnton sources such as flames or spark-producng electrcal tools n the area whle handlng or transportng cylnders. TRANSPORTATION OF SMALL CYLINDERS ALWAYS transport and store a cylnder n a secure and uprght poston so t wll not fall, shft, or roll. ALWAYS close the cylnder valve and, f requred, seal wth a plug, even f the cylnder s empty. Ask your propane retaler f a plug s requred. NEVER keep a flled cylnder nsde a hot vehcle or transport t nsde a closed trunk. ALWAYS place the cylnder n a well-ventlated area of the vehcle. ALWAYS proceed drectly to your destnaton and mmedately remove the cylnder from your vehcle. The law places lmts on the number of cylnders and the amount of propane that can be transported n closed-boded vehcles such as passenger cars and vans. Ask your propane retaler for more nformaton on state and local codes that apply to you. SECTION 3 // OTHER IMPORTANT SAFETY SITUATIONS 21
? TAMPERING WITH/REPAIR OF CYLINDERS OR OUTDOOR APPLIANCES DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO MODIFY OR REPAIR VALVES, REGULATORS, OR OTHER CYLINDER OR APPLIANCE PARTS. Propane cylnders ncorporate specal components such as valves, connectors, and other parts to keep them safe for use wth grlls and other propane applances. Damage to any component can cause a gas leak. DON T RISK IT! Call your propane retaler or a qualfed servce techncan for assstance. OVERFILL PREVENTION DEVICE (OPD) MAKE SURE YOUR CYLINDER IS EQUIPPED WITH AN OVERFILL PREVENTION DEVICE (OPD). An OPD s a safety feature that helps prevent small propane cylnders from beng overflled. An overflled cylnder doesn t have enough space left f the lqud epands when eposed to warmer temperatures. Ths can cause an ncrease n cylnder pressure and create potentally hazardous condtons. Most cylnders wth OPDs have specal trangular handwheels wth the letters OPD on them. In many states, cylnders wthout OPDs cannot be reflled. If you are uncertan as to whether your cylnder has an OPD valve on t, ask your propane retaler. OLD OR DAMAGED CYLINDERS NEVER use a damaged cylnder or a cylnder that has been n a fre. All cylnders must be nspected before they are reflled. The law requres perodc nspecton of cylnders, and t s aganst the law to refll out-of-date cylnders. The last nspecton date s stamped on the cylnder. DISPOSAL OF CYLINDERS NEVER dspose of your propane cylnder by throwng t n the trash. Check to see f there are muncpal programs for collecton n your area, or contact your propane retaler for gudance on dsposal of the cylnder. LVE 22
YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM How Does Propane Get to Your House? 4 USER TIP: * Become famlar wth your propane system so you can take quck and approprate acton n case of a leak or other emergency stuaton. 23
UNDER TANK COVER (D) REGULATOR INSIDE YOUR HOME (F) TANK GAUGE (K) PROPANE APPLIANCE (C) TANK SHUT-OFF VALVE (E) SAFETY RELIEF VALVE (I) APPLIANCE SHUT-OFF VALVE INSIDE GAS PIPE (B) TANK COVER OUTSIDE YOUR HOME (J) APPLIANCE CONNECTOR (A) STORAGE TANK (H) SECONDARY PRESSURE REGULATOR (G) UNDERGROUND GAS PIPE 24
E-GROUND TANK HOW DOES PROPANE GET TO YOUR HOUSE? It s mportant to become famlar wth the parts of your propane system so that you can take quck and approprate acton n case of a leak or other emergency. The llustraton at left shows a typcal home propane system. Propane s delvered to your home as a lqud and s pumped nto a specally desgned storage tank (A). The lqud changes to gas before t leaves the tank. Propane tanks are typcally panted whte or slver to reflect heat and prevent the pressure nsde the tank from gettng too hgh. If you have an underground tank, only the cover (B) wll be vsble above ground. ABOVE-GROUND TANK UNDERGROUND TANK The cover on top of the tank protects several components from weather and physcal damage, ncludng: The tank shut-off valve (C), whch you can close to stop the flow of propane to your home n case of a leak or other emergency. The regulator (D), whch controls the pressure of the propane gas comng out of the tank. The safety relef valve (E), whch wll pop open automatcally f the pressure nsde the tank gets too hgh. The valve wll close agan when the pressure returns to normal. The tank gauge (F), whch shows the percentage of propane n the tank. Propane flows from your tank to your home through ppes (G), most of whch run underground. You may also have a secondary pressure regulator (H) on an outsde wall of your home to further adjust gas pressure. A shut-off valve (I) n each ppe can be closed to stop gas flow to an ndvdual applance. RGROUND TANK UPRIGHT TANKS UPRIGHT TANK VALVE An applance connector (J) s the fnal segment n the gas ppng system. Ths specally desgned fleble tube typcally 2 or 3 feet long carres gas from a ppe to the back of an applance (K). SECTION 4 // YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM 25
MAINTENANCE RECORD DATE: APPLIANCE: SERVICED BY: COMMENTS: 26 26
DATE: APPLIANCE: SERVICED BY: COMMENTS: 27 27
SAFETY CHECKLIST THINGS TO DO RIGHT NOW: PROPANE SMELL. Teach everyone n your home or buldng what propane smells lke. Use the blue crcle on the page opposte of the nsde front cover. The odor s smlar to propane odor. Always take acton f you smell any knd of foul odor. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. Learn what to do n the event that you smell gas, and about the dangers that carbon monode can pose. Revew the secton at the front of ths manual ttled, Read Ths Frst. FLAMMABLE MATERIALS. Move any flammable and combustble materals (such as paper, clothng, wood, gasolne, and solvents) away from any propane applances. LEARN ABOUT YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM. Request a vst from your propane retaler to learn what s under the dome on the top of your propane tank. Identfy the shut-off valves, regulators, and safety relef valve, and how they operate. TALK WITH YOUR CHILDREN. Be sure they understand the followng mportant safety tps: Take the scratch and snff test to learn what propane smells lke. If you smell gas, tell an adult rght away and then go outsde. Do not turn or play wth the knobs or other controls on a stove, oven, water heater, or other applance. Do not play around or clmb on a propane tank, gas lne, applance, or other parts of the propane system. THINGS TO DO AT THE START OF THE HEATING SEASON: ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK. Once a year (at the start of the heatng season), ask your propane retaler to do a complete safety check of your propane system and applances. THINGS TO DO AS NEEDED: MONITOR YOUR FUEL GAUGE. Check the fuel gauge on your propane tank perodcally. Contact your propane retaler f the propane level s runnng low (less than 20%). If you do run out of gas, close the shut-off valve on your propane tank. 28 28
IMPORTANT CONTACTS EMERGENCY CONTACTS REPORT DAMAGE. Alert your propane retaler to any major dents, rust, or other damage to your propane tank, applances, and other parts of your propane system. UNCONNECTED GAS LINES. Be sure that any unconnected gas lnes are plugged or capped. Contact a qualfed servce techncan to do ths job safely. CLOSING UP A HOUSE. When closng up a house for an etended absence, consder shuttng off the propane system at the tank as well as at each applance. When you return, ask your propane retaler to re-lght your plot lghts and restore gas servce. ICE AND SNOW. Carefully clear snow and ce from regulators, regulator vents, ppng, tubng, and valves, as well as from your tank and the area around t. AFTER A STORM. After hgh wnds, heavy ran, or any other weather emergency, check your propane tank and system. If anythng appears to have been damaged, contact your propane retaler rght away. POLICE DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: PROPANE RETAILER For more nformaton, please vst: www.usepropane.com 29
IMPORTANT PROPANE SAFETY INFORMATION 2006 PROPANE EDUCATION & RESEARCH COUNCIL PRC 005606 30