Propane Safety Information
Cass City Oil & Gas Company sells Propane gas to residential and agricultural facilities. We’d like to take this opportunity to give you some safety information regarding Propane gas and its uses and dangers. We strive to provide a clean, safe, and economical product to our customers.
Important Propane safety information for you and your family….
Surprisingly, some individuals risk their lives by:
1. Making DIY repairs to their propane system, including adding fixtures, hoses, etc., interferes with built-in safety features.
2. Allowing the propane tank to run completely dry and then filling small propane cylinders to heat their home.
Tampering is Dangerous and Illegal
• Explosion risks are greater when portable cylinders are overfilled with tampered tanks, often resulting in serious injury or death
• It is unsafe, inefficient, and illegal to disconnect a bulk tank to hook up any size portable cylinder.
Use Propane Safely
• Do contact your local, trained, and certified propane expert for all changes to your propane system.
• Do have your propane cylinders inspected 12 years after manufacture and every 5 years after that.
• Do NOT place propane tanks inside homes, garages, or barns.
• Do NOT fill portable cylinders from a bulk tank.
• Do NOT repair bulk tanks or cylinders yourself.
If You Smell Gas
1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or fire.
2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
3. SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if it is safe to do so.
4. REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911.
5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines it is safe to do so.
6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED! Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified field service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.
CAN YOU SMELL IT??
Propane gas smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Some people may have difficulty smelling propane due to their age (older people may have a less sensitive sense of smell); a medical condition; or the effects of medication, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
ODOR LOSS. On rare occasions, propane can lose its odor. Several things can cause this including:
• The presence of air, water, or rust in a propane tank or cylinder.
• The passage of leaking propane through the soil.
Since there is a possibility of odor loss or problems with your sense of smell, you should respond immediately to even a faint odor of gas.
PROPANE GAS DETECTORS
Under some circumstances, you may not smell a propane leak. Propane gas detectors sound an alarm if they sense propane in the air. They can provide an additional measure of security. You should consider the purchase of one or more detectors for your home.
Guidelines regarding propane gas detectors:
• Buy only units that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation and maintenance.
• Never ignore the smell of propane, even if no detector is sounding an alarm.
CARBON MONOXIDE AND YOUR SAFETY
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)?
You can’t taste or smell CO, but it is a very dangerous gas, produced when any fuel burns. High levels of CO can come from appliances that are not operating correctly, or from a venting system or chimney that becomes blocked.
CO CAN BE DEADLY!! High levels of CO can make you dizzy or sick (see below). In extreme cases, CO can cause brain damage or death.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING INCLUDE:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
IF YOU SUSPECT CO is present, act immediately!
1. If you or a family member shows physical symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the building and call 911.
2. If it is safe to do so, open windows to allow entry of fresh air, and turn off appliances you suspect may be releasing CO.
3. If no one has symptoms, but you suspect that CO is present, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician to check CO levels and your propane equipment.
TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CO POISONING:
• Have a qualified service technician check your propane appliances and related venting systems annually, preferably before the heating season begins.
• Install UL-listed CO detectors on every level of your home.
• Never use a gas oven or range-top burner to provide space heating.
• Never use portable heaters indoors unless they are designed and approved for approved indoor use.
• Never use a barbecue grill (propane or charcoal) indoors for cooking or heating.
• Regularly check your appliance exhaust vents for blockage.
SIGNS OF IMPROPER APPLIANCE OPERATION THAT CAN GENERATE HIGH CO LEVELS:
• Sooting, especially on appliances and vents
• Unfamiliar or burning color
• Increase moisture inside of windows.
LIGHTING PILOT LIGHTS
IF A PILOT LIGHT REPEATEDLY GOES OUT or is very difficult to light, there may be a safety problem. DO NOT try to fix the problem yourself. It is strongly recommended that only a QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN light any pilot that has gone out.
YOU ARE TAKING THE RISK of starting a fire or an explosion if you light a pilot light yourself. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings concerning the appliance before attempting to light the pilot.
APPLIANCE MAINTENANCE
LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS. Only a qualified service technician has the training to install, inspect, service, maintain, and repair your appliances. Have your appliances and propane system inspected just before the start of each heating season.
HELP YOUR APPLIANCES “BREATHE”. Check the vents of your appliances to be sure that flue gases can flow easily to the outdoors; clear away any insect or bird nests or other debris. Also, clear the area around your appliances so plenty of air can reach the burner for proper combustion.
DO NOT TRY TO MODIFY OR REPAIR valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder/tank parts. Doing so creates the risk of a gas leak that can result in property damage, serious injury, or death.
HAVE OLDER APPLIANCE CONNECTORS INSPECTED. Certain older appliance connectors may crack or break, causing a gas leak. If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, have a qualified service technician inspect the connector. Do not do this yourself, as the movement of the appliance might damage the connector and cause a leak.
FLAMMABLE VAPORS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. The pilot light on your propane appliance can ignite vapors from gasoline, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids. Be sure to store and use flammable liquids outdoors or in an area of the building containing no propane appliances.
DON’T RISK IT! If you cannot operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not working properly, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician for assistance.
RUNNING OUT OF GAS
DON’T RUN OUT OF GAS. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, INCLUDING FIRE OR EXPLOSION, CAN RESULT.
• If an appliance valve or a gas line is left open, a leak could occur when the system is recharged with propane.
• If your propane tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out. They can be extremely dangerous.
• A LEAK CHECK IS REQUIRED. In many states, a propane retailer or a qualified service technician must perform a leak check of your propane system before turning on the gas.
Propane Tank Conversion Chart
Useful Propane Web Resources
This is a good website for those who burn fuel oil instead of propane: NORA Heating (opens in a new tab)
IMPORTANT PROPANE SAFETY INFORMATION for you and your family….
IF YOU SMELL GAS
- NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. DO not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or fire.
- LEAVE THE AREA IMMEIDATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
- SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank if it is safe to do so.
- REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911.
- DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualififed service technician determines it is safe to do so.
- GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED! Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified field service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.
CAN YOU SMELL IT??
Propane gas smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Some people may have difficulty smelling propane due to their age (older people may have a less sensitive sense of smell); a medical condition; or the effects of medication, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
ODOR LOSS. On rare occasions, propane can lose its odor. Several things can cause this including:
· The presence fo air, water, or rust in a propane tank or cylinder.
· The passage of leaking propane through the soil.
Since there is a possibility of odor loss or problems with your sense of smell, you should respond immediately to even a faint odor of gas.
PROPANE GAS DETECTORS
Under some circumstances, you may not smell a propane leak. Propane gas detectors sound an alarm if they sense propane in the air. They can provide an additional measure of security. You should consider the purchase of one or more detectors for your home.
GUIDELINES regarding propane gas detectors:
Buy only units that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation and maintenance.
- Never ignore the small of propane, even if no detector is sounding an alarm.
CARBON MONOXIDE AND YOUR SAFETY
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)?
You can’t taste ot smell CO, but it is a very dangerous gas, produced when any fuel burns. High levels of CO can come from appliances that are not operating correctly, or from a venting system or chimney that becomes blocked.
CO CAN BE DEADLY!! High levels of CO can make you dizzy or sick (see below). In extreme cases, CO can cause brain damage or death.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING INCLUDE:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shortness oif breath
- Nausea
IF YOU SUSPECT Co is present, act immediately!
- If you or a family member shows physical symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the building and call 911.
- If it is safe to do so, open windows to allow entry of fresh air, and turn off appliances you suspect may be releasing CO.
- If no one has symptoms, but you suspect that CO is present, call you propane retailer of a qualified service technician to check CO levels and you propane equipment.
TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CO POISONING:
- Have a qualified service technicial check your propane appliances and related venting systems annually, preferably before the heating season begins.
- Install UL-listed CO detectors on every level of your home.
- Never use a gas oven or range-top burner to provide space heating.
- Never use portable heaters indoors unless they are designed and approved for approved indoor use.
- Never use a barbeque grill (propane or charcoal) indorrs for cooking or heating.
- Regularly check your appliance exhaust vents for blockage.
SIGNS OF IMPROPER APPLIANCE OPERATION THAT CAN GENERATE HIGH CO LEVELS:
- Sooting, especially on appliances and vents
- Unfamiliar or burning color
- Increase moisture inside of windows.
LIGHTING PILOT LIGHTS
IF A PILOT LIGHT REPEATEDLY GOES OUT or is very difficult to light, there may be a safety problem. DO NOT try to fix the problem yourself. It is strongly recommended that only a QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN light any pilot that has gone out.
YOU ARE TAKING THE RISK of starting a fire or an explosion if you light a pilot light yourself. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings concerning the appliance before attempting to light the pilot.
APPLIANCE MAINTENANCE
LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS. Only a qualified service technician has the training to install, inspect, service, maintain, and repair your appliances. Have your appliances and propane system inspected just before the start of each heating season.
HELP YOUR APPLIANCES “BREATHE”. Check the vents of your appliances to be sure that flue gases can flow easily to the outdoors; clear away any insect or bird nests or other debris. Also, clear the area around your appliances so plenty of air can reach the burner for proper combustion.
DO NOT TRY TO MODIFY OR REPAIR valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder/tank parts. Doing so creates the risk of a gas leak that can result in property damage, serious injury, or death.
HAVE OLDER APPLIANCE CONNECTORS INSPECTED. Certain older appliance connectors may crack or break, causing a gas leak. If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, have a qualified service technician inspect the connector. Do not do this yourself, as movement of the appliance might damage the connector and cause a leak.
FLAMMABLE VAPORS ARE A SAFET HAZARD. The pilot light on your propane appliance can ignite vapors from gasoline, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids. Be sure to store and use flammable liquids outdoors or in an area of the building containing no propane appliances.
DON”T RISK IT! If you cannot operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not working properly, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician for assistance.
RUNNING OUT OF GAS
DON’T RUN OUT OF GAS. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, INCLUDING FORE OR EXPLOSION, CAN RESULT.
- If an appliance valve or a gas line is left open, a leak could occur when the system is recharged with propane.
- If your propane tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out. They can be extremely dangerous.
- A LEAK CHECK IS REQUIRED. In many states, a propane retailer or a qualified service technician must perform a leak check of your propane system before turning on the gas.