Make Time For Safety

Propane is a safe, economical, clean-buring, and versatile fuel when properly used. This manual is designed to give you your family the information you need to safely and comfortably enjoy all the benefits that propane can deliver. Only you can keep your family safe, so be sure that all family members review safety information.

Propane Facts

Propane (also called LPG-liquefied petroleum gas-or LP gas) is a widely used fuel. It is transported and stored as a liquid under pressure and is usually used as a gas. Severe freeze burn or frostbite can result if propane comes in contact with your skin. The liquid propane is turned into a gas inside a tank or cylinder. In its natural form, propane is colorless and odorless. To make propane easier to detect in the event of a leak or a 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.

Propane Gas Detectors

Propane gas detectors sound an alarm if they sense propane in the air. They can provide an additional measure of security in homes with little-used areas or with occupants who have difficulty smelling propane.

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.

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 a fire.

LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect the 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 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 or your local fire department.

DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer determines that 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 service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.