Propane Safety
What does Propane Smell Like?
Propane has a foul odor that has been compared to garbage, sewage, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufacturers add the smell deliberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, which can create a safety hazard.
Propane Facts:
- Propane (also called LPG – liquefied petroleum gas – or LP gas) is a liquid fuel stored under pressure. In most systems, propane is vaporized to a gas before it leaves the tank. Severe “freeze burn” or frostbite can result if propane liquid encounters your skin. In its natural form, propane is colorless and odorless. To make propane easier to detect in the event of a leak or spill, manufacturers deliberately add a chemical compound to give it a distinctive smell.
- Propane is flammable when mixed with air (oxygen) and can be ignited by many sources, including open flames, smoking materials, electrical sparks, and static electricity.
- Propane vapors are heavier than air. For this reason, they may accumulate
in low-lying areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and ditches, or along
floors. However, air currents can sometimes carry propane vapors
elsewhere within a building.
System Safety:
- Do NOT RUN OUT Of Gas: Serious Safety Hazards, including Fire or Explosion, Can Result
- If an appliance valve or a gas line is left open when the propane
supply runs out, a leak can occur when the system is recharged with
propane. - Air and moisture can get into an empty or depleted storage tank,
which can cause rust buildup inside the tank. Rust can decrease the
concentration of the odor of propane, making it harder to smell. - If your propane tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your
appliances will go out. This can be extremely dangerous.
Things to do right now
Safety Checklist
- PROPANE SMELL: Teach everyone in your home or building what
propane smells like. Always take action if you smell gas or suspect a
gas leak. - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: Learn what to do if you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, and about the dangers that carbon monoxide can pose.
- FLAMMABLE MATERIALS: Move any flammable and combustible materials (such as paper, clothing, wood, gasoline, & solvents) away from any propane appliances.
- LEARN ABOUT YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM: Request a visit from your propane retailer to learn what’s “under the dome” on the top of your propane tank. Identify the shut-off valves, regulators, & safety relief valve, and learn how they operate.
TALK WITH YOUR CHILDREN: Be sure they understand the following important safety tips:
- Learn what propane smells like
- If you smell gas, tell an adult right away & then go outside.
- Do not turn or play with the knobs or other controls on a stove, an over, a water heater, or other appliance.
- Do not play around or climb on a propane tank, a gas line, an appliance, or other parts of the propane system.
- ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK: Once a year (at the start of the heating season), ask your propane retailer to do a complete safety check of your propane system and appliances.
Gas Safety Tips
Safety: Gas Smell
When it comes to gas appliances, safety is a top priority. If you smell gas in your home, follow these steps:
- NO FLAMES OR SPARTKS: 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 a fire.
- LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY: 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. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
- REPORT LEAK: After getting away from the gas leak, call you propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
- DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA: until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
- GET YOU SYSTEM CHECKED: Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.
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