Safety Guide for Portable Propane Cylinders
Stay safe when transporting, storing, and using portable propane cylinders. Follow these important guidelines to protect yourself and others.
Read and follow these safety instructions to reduce the risk of fire, explosion, and serious injury or death. Share this information with everyone else in your home.
If You Suspect a Cylinder Leak
Signs of a Cylinder Leak…
- Propane odor
- Hissing gas
- Visible propane cloud
- Flames at the cylinder
If There are Signs of a Leak…
If there are no flames or visible cloud of propane at the cylinder, close the cylinder valve (turn valve clockwise).
Leave the area, then call 911 or the fire department.
Before using the cylinder and appliance again, have a qualified professional inspect them.
PROPANE ODOR
A unique odor is added to propane to help alert people to a leak. Make sure everyone in your household knows what propane odor smells like. If you do not know what propane smells like, ask your propane supplier or distributor for additional information. (For exchange cylinders, see cylinder label or exchange cage for contact information.)
Propane Cylinder Safety
- when the appliance is not in use.
- when not connected to an appliance.
Transporting Cylinders
Secure the Cylinders
• Tie-downs/straps
• Propane cylinder stabilizer
• Cardboard box, milk crate
• Make sure they will not shift or roll. Avoid transporting
• in passenger area. If possible, secure in:
Transport Safety
Never transport a leaking cylinder.
Do not leave cylinders in your vehicle.
Drive directly to your destination and immediately remove the cylinders from your vehicle. Do not leave cylinders inside the vehicle or trunk. The pressure relief valve (if the parked vehicle gets too hot) or a leak may release propane, filling the enclosed space with flammable gas.
HOW MUCH PROPANE CAN I TRANSPORT?
U.S. legal limits for closed-bodied vehicles:
- No more than four (4) 20-pound cylinders.
- No cylinders larger than 45-pound capacity.
- No more than 90 pounds total propane weight.
U.S. legal limits for an open cargo bed:
- No more than 1,001 pounds total propane and container weight.
There may also be state or local restrictions — ask your propane retailer for more information.
Storing Cylinders
NEVER USE OR STORE IN AN ENCLOSED AREA
such as a basement, garage, shed, or tent. Even an “empty” cylinder may contain enough propane to be hazardous.
Keep Cylinders Outside
and away from sources of ignition and things that generate heat.
The cylinder is designed to be kept outside in any weather, even full summer sun.
Additional heat (for example, from a heating appliance or fire) can cause pressure to build up inside the cylinder. If this happens, the pressure relief device might release propane.
Released or leaking propane can be ignited or collect in an enclosed area.
Keep Spare Cylinders Away from Propane Appliances
Do not put a spare propane cylinder (i.e., a cylinder that is not connected to the appliance) under or near a grill or other propane appliance.
DID YOU KNOW?
Have you ever used a can of compressed air, hairspray, or spray paint and felt the can get cold?
Similarly, propane is stored as a liquid, but changes from liquid to gas as it leaves the cylinder. This causes the remaining propane in the tank to cool. So even as a grill heats up, the cylinder cools down.
This also means that if leaking liquid propane comes into contact with your skin, you can get frostbite.
Testing for Propane Leaks
It is important to inspect for leaks. Do this before the first time you use the propane cylinder and appliance each season, as well as each time you connect a cylinder and appliance. This can be accomplished with a simple “bubble” test.
Even Though Odor is Added, You Might Not Smell a Propane Leak
There are several reasons why a propane leak may go undetected by smell:
The Propane Odor Does Not Reach You
- The odor may be present in an area where there are no people.
- Because propane is heavier than air, it may settle near the ground.
- Airflow may move or disperse the propane odor.
Your Ability to Notice the Odor is Reduced
Reasons may include:
- A cold, allergies, sinus congestion, or other medical conditions.
- Tobacco, alcohol, or drug use.
- Being older.
- Being asleep.
- “Odor fatigue.” This occurs when continuous exposure to the propane odor causes your nose to become desensitized.
- The presence of other strong odors, such as tobacco smoke, cooking smells, or musty/damp odors, which may mask the smell of propane.
Propane Has Lost Its Odor
The odor that is added to propane can sometimes be absorbed by materials such as soil, water, or rust, making it more difficult to smell (“odor loss”).
Maintenance and Disposal
Do Not Repair or Modify
NEVER repair or modify propane cylinders or appliances. Exchange your cylinder or call your propane retailer or qualified professional for service.
Damaged or Unwanted Cylinders
NEVER use a damaged cylinder or one that has been in a fire.
Dispose of damaged or unwanted cylinders properly. Never throw a propane cylinder in the trash. Check to see if there are municipal programs for cylinder disposal in your area, or contact your propane retailer for guidance.
Overfill Prevention Devices (OPD) Required
Only use cylinders with an Overfill Prevention Device (OPD). An OPD is a safety feature that is required by law. Most cylinders with an OPD have a special triangular handwheel with the letters “OPD” on it.
If your cylinder does not have an OPD or you are not sure, do not use it. Take it to a propane retailer and exchange for a cylinder with an OPD, or purchase a new cylinder.