Important Propane Safety Information
Learn how to protect your home and family by understanding the basics of propane safety. Follow these essential guidelines to prevent leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
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 Gas Leak
If There are Signs of a Leak
A propane gas leak is an emergency. It can result in fire and explosion. Be prepared to respond.
Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect a gas leak.
As you leave, avoid igniting the leaking gas. Some electrical devices and appliances can create sparks when manipulated.
• DO NOT turn any light switches on or off.
• Do NOT interact with any appliances, outlets, or landline phones when the appliance is not in use.
• No smoking, vaping, or open flames.
Once safely away, call your propane retailer, 911, or the fire department. Stay away from the suspected gas leak until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified professional determines that it is safe to return.
unless you suspect there is a leak at the tank(s). To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
have your entire propane system checked by your propane retailer or a qualified professional to make sure there are no leaks.
INDICATORS OF A GAS LEAK
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 retailer for a sniff of the gas or additional information. If you smell a bad odor and are not sure of the source, it may be a gas leak. Take action!
Propane gas detectors can identify leaks even when propane is not smelled.
A hissing sound may indicate that gas is escaping from a component of your propane system or appliance.
If you are using more gas than you expect, there may be a leak.
YOU SHOULD INSTALL PROPANE GAS DETECTORS
Propane gas detectors can identify leaks you do not smell. Use a flammable gas detector that senses propane and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the alarm sounds, do not go toward the alarm. Treat it as an emergency and act immediately, even if you do not smell propane odor.
NEVER ignore the smell of propane odor, even if your propane gas detectors do not alarm.
*NOTE: Propane gas detectors are different from smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, although some combination detectors are available.
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 Get to Your Nose
- 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”).
Propane Appliances
Lighting or troubleshooting pilot lights improperly can cause fire and explosion.
If you choose to light your pilot lights:
• Follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions.
• If you suspect a gas leak, do not attempt to light.
• If a pilot light is difficult to light or repeatedly goes out, NEVER try to fix or troubleshoot the problem yourself. Contact a qualified professional.
• Appliances need air for proper combustion, and exhaust gases need to flow to the outdoors. Ventilation problems can result in high carbon monoxide levels in the home.
• Keep the area around your appliance clear.
• Check appliance vents for obstructions such as insect, bird, or small animal nests. In wintry weather, keep the area around vents clear of snow and ice.
Flammable gases and vapors from cleaning fluids, paint thinners, gasoline, and other flammable liquids can be ignited by propane appliances. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use and storage.
Appliance connectors can crack or break when flexed or twisted, such as when an appliance is moved. Use care near connectors, such as when cleaning. If you damage a connector, turn off the gas and contact a qualified professional.
Plan ahead! If an appliance is going to be disconnected from a gas line, even if you will not be installing a new appliance, a qualified professional must cap or plug the open gas line.
When to Use a Qualified Professional
SAFETY CODES IN EVERY STATE REQUIRE A “QUALIFIED PERSON” FOR CERTAIN TASKS.
A “qualified person” is experienced, familiar with required precautions, and complies with all requirements.
Improper installation or service of propane appliances or equipment can result in a gas leak, fire, explosion, and serious injury or death.
Use a Qualified Professional:
• Any service or changes to the gas distribution system, including tanks, cylinders, pipes, and their components.
• Installing, disconnecting, or relocating a propane appliance.
• Replacing, installing, or inspecting propane appliance connectors.
• Propane appliances or systems not operating properly.
• Problems with your pilot lights.
• Soot buildup on equipment. (This may indicate gas is not burning completely.)
• Evidence of blocked vents (for example, from nests, snow, or ice) that you are unable to clear.
A qualified professional must check the propane system for leaks when turning the gas on. Never turn the gas on at the propane tank yourself. Be sure any pilot lights are properly relit as soon as the gas is turned back on.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly.
Be Prepared To Respond.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. High levels can cause brain damage or death. Young children, the elderly, people with heart disease, and those under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication are particularly susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Unsafe levels of carbon monoxide can be generated by appliances that are defective or improperly installed, operated, or maintained, or have air intakes blocked. Carbon monoxide can also enter a home if an appliance venting system or chimney becomes blocked (for example, by a bird’s nest).
Everyone should get out of the building and away from where carbon monoxide is suspected.
Once safely away, call 911 or the fire department to report the presence of carbon monoxide.
Stay away from the suspected carbon monoxide until an emergency responder or other qualified professional tells you it is safe to return.
To Reduce the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
Install a UL-listed carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Regularly check to be sure that air can flow in for the gas to burn properly and exhaust gases can flow easily to the outdoors.
Indicators That Unsafe Levels of Carbon Monoxide May Be Present
Carbon monoxide detectors sound an alarm when they sense excessive levels of carbon monoxide in the air.
• Soot, especially on appliances and vents
• Unfamiliar or burning odor
• Increased moisture inside windows
Unsafe levels of carbon monoxide can be generated by appliances that are defective or improperly installed, operated, or maintained, or have air intakes blocked. Carbon monoxide can also enter a home if an appliance venting system or chimney becomes blocked (for example, by a bird’s nest).
