Safety Tips
Because of its portability, liquified petroleium gas (LP-Gas) provides you with modern conveniences no matter where you travel. Stored as a liquid and used as a gas, it will cook your meals, heat your vehicle, keep you supplied with hot water, and even refrigerate your food. LP-gas -- whether it's propane, butane, or a mixture of the two -- is non-toxic, safe and economical.
Like any fuel, however, LP-gas is combustible. This page contains some important points for safe storage, handling and use of LP-gas containers, systems and appliances. If others traveling are unfamiliar with LP-gas, or if you lend your vehicle to someone -- be sure to acquaint them with these safety tips as well.
BE FAMILIAR WITH ITS ODOR
When produced, LP-gas is both colorless and odorless. For safety reasons, a chemical odorant is added so that, in the event of a leak, you can detect the escaping gas by its strong, distinct smell. Ask your LP-gas supplier to familiarize you and your family with this smell.
Under certain circumstances, propane gas may lose the distinctive odor that was added. This is sometimes called "odor fade", and it can occur both in new steel containers when first placed into service and in used steel containers left open to the atmosphere for a long time. In addition, under certain circumstances not everyone can smell the odorant in propane. Physical conditions such as competing odors, common colds and allergies, smoking, etc. may lessen a person's ability to smell.
If you think the odor of your propane gas is weak, or if your sense of smell is impaired, call your propane supplier. A service technician can verify the odor of the propane gas in your tank. And if your sense of smell is impaired, consider installing an electronic gas detector in your RV.
WARNING
If you suspect a leak, follow these steps:
All occupants should leave the vehicle immediately.
Do not operate electrical switches or light a match.
Do not operate electrical switches or light a match.
Turn of all gas appliances.
Close all cylinder or tank supply valves immediately.
Open all doors and windows and let fresh air blow away the escaped gas.
Call a trained service technician and do not turn the gas on again until the leak has been found and corrected.
GENERAL CYLINDER INFORMATION
LP-gas, usually propane, is sold and stored in containers that, when properly filled, contain about 80% liquid. The remaining 20% of space above the liquid contains propane vapor. It is the vapor that burns in your appliance when mixed with air. The vapor space in the propane cylinder also provides room for the liquid propane to expand if the cylinder is exposed to warmer temperatures.
WARNING
If a cylinder is overfilled (that is, beyond 80 percent capacity), there won't be enough vapor space to accommodate the expanding liquid if the cylinder is exposed to warmer temperatures. Any of the following potentially hazardous conditions could occur:
The pressure relief valve may open, discharging propane to relieve the pressure.
Propane liquid could enter the piping system, resulting in higher than normal pressures to the appliances.
If the cylinder becomes liquid full and the pressure relief valve fails to open, the container could rupture, resulting in serious injury or property damage
WARNING
New cylinders or used cylinders that have been exposed to the atmosphere must be purged of air before being filled.
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