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SAFETY INFORMATION FOR USERS OF LP-GAS
Propane (LP-Gas) is a flammable gas that can cause fires
and explosions. In its natural state, propane is odorless and
colorless. You may not know all the following safety
precautions, which can protect both you and your family from
an accident. Read them carefully now, then review them
point by point with the members of your household. Someday
when there may not be a minute to lose, everyone's safety
will depend on knowing exactly what to do. If, after reading
the following information, you feel you still need more
information, please contact your gas supplier.
LP-GAS WARNING ODOR
If a gas leak happens, you should be able to smell the gas because of the odorant put in the LP-Gas.
That's your signal to go into immediate action!
!
Do not operate electric switches, light matches, or use your
telephone. Do not do anything that could ignite the gas.
!
Get everyone out of the building, vehicle, trailer or area. Do that
IMMEDIATELY.
!
Close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves.
!
LP-Gas is heavier than air and may settle in low areas such as
basements. When you have reason to suspect a gas leak, keep
out of basements and other low areas. Stay out until
firefighters declare them safe.
!
Use your neighbor's telephone and call a trained LP-Gas service
person and the fire department. Even though you may not
continue to smell gas, do not turn on the gas again. Do not re-
enter the building, vehicle, trailer or area.
!
Finally, let the service man and firefighters check for escaped
gas. Have them air out the area before you return. Properly
trained LP-Gas service people should repair the leak, then check
and relight the gas appliance for you.
NO ODOR DETECTED - ODOR FADE
Some people cannot smell well. Some people cannot smell the
odor of the chemical stench put into the gas. You must find out if
you can smell the odorant in propane. Smoking can decrease your
ability to smell. Being around an odor for a time can affect your
sensitivity or ability to detect that odor. Sometimes other odors in
the area mask the gas odor. People may not smell the gas odor or
their minds are on something else. Thinking about smelling a gas
odor can make it easier to smell.
The odorant in LP-Gas is colorless, and it can fade under some
circumstances. For example, if there is an underground leak, the
movement of the gas through soil can filter the odorant.
Odorants in LP-Gas also are subject to oxidation. Odor fading can
occur if there is rust inside the storage tank or in iron gas pipes.
The odorant in escaped gas can adsorb or absorb onto or into walls,
masonry and other materials and fabrics in a room. That will take
some of the odorant out of the gas, reducing its odor intensity.
LP-Gas may stratify in a closed area, and the odor intensity could
vary at different levels. Since it is heavier than air, there may be
more odor at lower levels. Always be sensitive to the slightest gas
odor. If you detect any odor, treat it as a serious leak. Immediately
go into action as instructed above.
SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER
Learn to recognize the odor of LP-Gas. Your local LP-Gas
Dealer can give you a "Scratch and Sniff" pamphlet. Use it to
find out what the propane odor smells like. If you suspect that
your LP-Gas has a weak or abnormal odor, call your LP-Gas
Dealer.
If you are not qualified, do not light pilot lights, perform
service, or make adjustments to appliances on the LP-Gas
system. If you are qualified, consciously think about the odor
of LP-Gas prior to and while lighting pilot lights or performing
service of making adjustments.
Sometimes a basement or a closed-up house has a musty
smell that can cover up the LP-Gas odor. Do not try to light
pilot lights in the area where the conditions are such that you
may not detect the odor if there has been a leak of LP-Gas.
Odor fade, due to oxidation by rust or absorption on walls of
new cylinders and tanks, is possible. Therefore, people should
be particularly alert and careful when new tanks or cylinders
are placed in service. Odor fade can occur in new tanks, or
reinstalled old tanks, if they are filled and allowed to sit too
long before refilling. Cylinders and tanks that have been out of
service for a time may develop internal rust, which will cause
odor fade. If such conditions are suspected to exist, a periodic
sniff test of the gas is advisable. If you have any question
about the gas odor, call your LP-Gas dealer. A periodic sniff
test of the LP-Gas is a good safety measure under any
condition.
If, at any time, you do not smell the LP-Gas odorant and you
think you should, assume you have a leak. Then take the
same immediate action recommended above for the occasion
when you do detect the odorized LP-Gas.
If you experience a complete "gas out" (the container is under
no vapor pressure), turn the tank valve off immediately. If the
container valve is left on, the container may draw in some air
through openings such as pilot light orifices. If this occurs,
some new internal rusting could occur. If the valve is left open,
then treat the container as a new tank. Always be sure your
container is under vapor pressure by turning it off at the
container before it goes completely empty or having it refilled
before it is completely empty.
