Propane gas and natural gas have man-made odorants added specifically for detection of fuel gas leaks.
If a gas leak occurs, you should be able to smell the fuel gas.
THAT’S YOUR SIGNAL TO GO INTO IMMEDIATE ACTION!
■
Do not take any action that could ignite the fuel gas. Do
not operate any electrical switches. Do not pull any
power supply or extension cords. Do not light matches
o r a ny ot h e r s o u rc e o f f l a m e . D o n ot u s e yo u r
telephone.
■
Get everyone out of the building and away from the area
immediately.
■
Close all propane gas tank or cylinder fuel supply
valves, or the main fuel supply valve located at the
meter if you use natural gas.
■
Propane gas is heavier than air and may settle in low
areas. When you have reason to suspect a propane
leak, keep out of all low areas.
■
Natural gas is lighter than air and can collect around
rafters or ceilings.
■
Use your neighbor’s phone and call your fuel gas
supplier and your fire department. Do not re-enter the
building or area.
■
Stay out of the building and away from the area until
declared safe by the firefighters and your fuel gas
supplier.
■
FINALLY, let the fuel gas ser vice person and the
firefighters check for escaped gas. Have them air out
the building and area before you return. Properly
trained service people must repair the leak, check for
further leakages, and then relight the appliance for you.
WARNING
■
Do not use this heater for heating human living
quarters, workshops, garages, or other such confined
spaces.
■
Do not use in unventilated areas.
■
The flow of combustion and ventilation air must not be
obstructed.
■
Proper ventilation air must be provided to support the
combustion air requirements of the heater being used.
■
Lack of proper ventilation air will lead to improper
combustion.
■
Improper combustion can lead to carbon monoxide
p o i s o n i n g l e a d i n g to s e r i o u s i n j u r y o r d e a t h .
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include
headaches, dizziness and difficulty in breathing.
■
Proper ventilation air for combustion must be provided
i n a c c o rd a n c e w i t h O S H A 2 9 C F R 19 2 6 .15 4 ,
Temporar y Heating Device, ANSI A10.10, Safety
Requirements for Temporary and Por table Space
Heating Devices, or the Natural Gas and Propane
Installation Code, CAN/CSA B149.1 as appropriate.
Asphyxiation Hazard
■
Some people cannot smell well. Some people cannot
smell the odor of the man-made chemical added to
propane or natural gas. You must determine if you can
smell the odorant in these fuel gases.
■
Learn to recognize the odor of propane gas and natural
gas. Local propane gas dealers and your local natural
gas supplier (utility) will be more than happy to give you
a “scratch and sniff” pamphlet. Use it to become
familiar with the fuel gas odor.
■
Smoking can decrease your ability to smell. Being
around an odor for a period of time can affect your
sensitivity to that particular odor.
■
The odorant in propane gas and natural gas is colorless
and the intensity of its odor can fade under some
circumstances.
■
If there is an underground leak, the movement of gas
through the soil can filter the odorant.
■
Propane gas odor may differ in intensity at different
levels. Since propane gas is heavier than air, there may
be more odor at lower levels.
■
Always be sensitive to the slightest gas odor. If you
continue to detect any gas odor, no matter how small,
treat it as a serious leak. Immediately go into action as
discussed previously.
5
Safety Precautions
FUEL GAS ODOR
ODOR FADING -- NO ODOR DETECTED
ATTENTION -- CRITICAL POINTS TO REMEMBER!
■
Propane gas and natural gas have a distinctive odor.
Learn to recognize these odors. (Reference “Fuel Gas
Odor” and “Odor Fading” sections above.
■
If you have not been properly trained in repair and service
of propane gas and natural gas fueled heaters, then do
not attempt to light heater, perform service or repairs, or
make any adjustments to the heater on propane gas or
natural gas fuel system.
■
Even if you are not properly trained in the service and
repair of the heater, ALWAYS be consciously aware of
the odors of propane gas and natural gas.
■
A periodic sniff test around the heater or at the heater’s
joints; i.e. hose, connections, etc., is a good safety
practice under any conditions. If you smell even a small
amount of gas, CONTACT YOUR FUEL GAS SUPPLIER
IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT WAIT!
