do propane tanks have a safety valve price

One feature you need to learn more about is the tank’s safety relief valve. All propane tanks, including the cylinders you use for your grill, are required by law to have pressure relief devices that allow for the release of excess pressure inside the tank.

The safety relief valve is designed to protect your propane tank from rupturing in case excess pressure builds up in the tank. It is also called a pop-off valve, pressure-venting valve, or a relief valve.

The safety relief valve is kept closed by a very strong spring as long as the pressure inside the tank is at a safe level. If the pressure in the tank reaches the same amount of pressure of the spring, the safety relief valve is opened. If that happens, you’ll hear a hissing sound coming from the tank as pressure is dissipated. In instances where the pressure in the tank is much higher than that of the spring, the valve will fully open. You’ll hear a pop if that occurs.

Once the pressure is down below the pressure of the spring, the valve closes on its own. If the valve pops open, it may need to be replaced. DO NOT attempt to repair or replace this on your own. This job requires a professional. Contact us to help.

That’s why, when we deliver your propane, we fill your tank to 80% full. You may have noticed that and wondered if it was a mistake. It’s intentional. That remaining 20% of space in your tank remains empty so the propane has space to safely expand in warm or hot conditions.

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One thing you should pay attention to is the propane tank’s safety relief valve. All propane tanks, including the cylinders you use for your BBQ grill, are required by law to have pressure relief devices to allow for the release of excess pressure in the tank.

A spring keeps the safety relief valve closed as long as the pressure inside the tank is at a safe level. If the pressure in the tank reaches the same amount of pressure of the spring, the safety relief valve is opened. If that happens, you’ll hear a hissing sound coming from the tank. In instances where the pressure in the tank is much higher than that of the spring, the valve will fully open. You’ll hear pop if that occurs.

Your propane tank needs to have room for the propane inside it to expand. That is why your propane tank is filled to 80% of its capacity. The 20% of the tank that is empty space allows the propane to safely expand.

That expansion is why propane tanks are white or beige. Light colors reflect heat to minimize expansion. Dark colors retain heat and can cause the propane inside your tank to expand to dangerous levels. So, even if your propane tank doesn’t go with the color of your siding, leave it alone.

The safety relief valve is one of the most important and vital valves on any LP Gas container. All propane tanks and cylinders are required by law to be fitted with pressure relief devices designed to relieve excess pressure. The function of a safety relief valve is to keep a propane tank from rupturing in the unlikely event of excessive pressure buildup. Propane tank relief valves are also known as pop off valves, pressure venting valves or relief valves.

But how much do you know about your home’s propane system, specifically, your propane tank? You should learn about your propane tank, as well as propane safety.

All propane tanks, including the cylinders you use for your BBQ grill or firepit, are required by law to have pressure relief devices that allow for the release of excess pressure inside the tank.

A strong spring keeps the safety relief valve closed as long as the pressure inside the tank is at a safe level. If the pressure in the tank reaches the same amount of pressure of the spring, the safety relief valve is opened. If that happens, you’ll hear a hissing sound coming from the tank as pressure is dissipated. In instances where the pressure in the tank is much higher than that of the spring, the valve will fully open. You’ll hear a pop if that occurs.

Once the pressure is down below the pressure of the spring, the valve closes on its own. If the valve pops open, it may be replaced. However, this is a job for a professional. DO NOT try to fix or replace it on your own. Contact us for assistance.

There needs to be room inside your propane tank to accommodate such a large amount of expansion. That is the reason your propane tank is filled to 80% of its capacity and not to 100%. For example, a 500-gallon propane tank is filled to 400 gallons. The 20% of the tank that is empty space allows the propane to safely expand.

Expansion is why propane tanks are painted white or beige. Light colors reflect heat away from your tank, minimizing how much the propane in there will expand. Dark colors, on the other hand, retain heat. That much retained heat can cause the propane inside your tank to expand to dangerous levels.

A certified pressure relief valve testing contractor must perform all inspections. That’s where Foster Fuels comes in. Our inspectors can advise when testing is necessary and when a replacement would be a more cost-effective option. We also offer comprehensive preventative maintenance programs that can extend the life of your pressure relief valves and related safety equipment, saving you money over the long term with services such as:

Reminding you valves over 10 years old must be tested or replaced prior to the following scheduled inspection, which is two years from the current inspection.

Virginia has its own set of requirements for pressure relief valve testing and certification. These are primarily based on NFPA 58 and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. State requirements establish a propane pressure relief valve testing frequency of once every 10 years for most equipment. The state code also sets a compliance schedule of two years from the initial inspection date. For more information, contact Foster Fuels directly.

State and NBIC requirements present several challenges for businesses that rely on propane in their facilities. Organizations with multiple tanks may find the time and money required for pressure relief valve testing—including downtime and flaring of vapor, if necessary—to be overly burdensome. The limited time allotted to ensure all tanks are inspected and tested is an additional difficulty.

The safety relief valve is one of the most important and vital valves on any LP Gas container. All propane tanks and cylinders are required by law to be fitted with pressure relief devices designed to relieve excess pressure. The function of a safety relief valve is to keep a propane tank from rupturing in the unlikely event of excessive pressure buildup. Propane tank relief valves are also known as pop off valves, pressure venting valves or relief valves.

Relief valves are held in the closed position by the force of a powerful spring. As long as the pressure inside the tank is less than that of the spring, the valve will remain closed. If tank pressure rises to that of the spring, the valve will open resulting in a hissing sound outside the tank. If the pressure in the tank rises significantly higher than that of the spring, the valve will fully open. When the valve fully opens, it initially makes a loud pop followed by a blast of released propane gas. Once the pressure is released and the tank pressure falls below that of the spring, the valve closes.

Most propane tanks in residential and commercial service have internal safety relief valves. The reason for an internal valve as opposed to an external pressure relief valve is it presents less of an obstruction when moving the tank. Internal relief valves are generally placed near the end of the propane tank on above ground containers.

Found primarily on older tanks, external relief valves operate in the same manner as an internal relief valve with the spring mechanism being outside the propane tank itself. Relief valves on multvalves are always fitted with external safety relief valves. Older tanks with an external relief valve installed on the container are generally replaced with internal pressure relief valves, provided they are connected to a dedicated tank opening specifically designed for the placement of the relief valve.

Because the safety relief valve performs such a vital role in the protection of the propane tank, it should be maintained and repaired by licensed propane professionals only. Do not ever look into a relief valve or stand over it.

A protective cover should be placed over the relief valve to ensure proper operation. If the valve has debris in the upper mechanism of the relief valve and it opens, the debris may cause the valve to remain open resulting in a potentially dangerous situation and/or excessive loss of propane. A simple protective relief valve cover can be made from a plastic bag fastened around the external portion of the valve with a rubber band.

If a you encounter a relief valve that seems to be "hissing" (opened to relieve pressure) do not tap it or mess with it. If the tank has been recently filled in hot weather and the face gauge reads over 80 or 85%, spray some water from a hose on the tank. This may cool it down and reduce the expansion of the liquid in the tank. Call your propane company immediately and inform them of the situation.

Pictured here is a relief valve that was apparently leaking. Instead of calling the propane company to replace the valve, the customer decided to fix the problem himself. Using a soldering iron, he soldered the leak until it stopped leaking. In the process of "repairing" the leak, the customer completely sealed the relief valve in a closed position placing himself and his family in a very dangerous situation.

In this type of situation, a relief valve that is sealed shut will not allow the tank to vent excess pressure if it is overfilled or the pressure inside the tank exceeds the working pressure of the container. In a case where the tank is unable to vent to the outside, the tank is subject to rupturing causing more harm and damage than money saved by trying to fix it yourself. Let the propane company or LPG professional handle any problems with thesafety relief valve.

Gauges, regulators, valves … welcome to your propane tank! If you’ve only used propane to power a gas grill in the past, the larger tanks may be intimidating. It can seem like a whole new world at first, especially if you’re used to powering your home using other fuel sources like natural gas, whose components may not be as visible. And while your propane supplier often handles a lot of the periodic propane tank maintenance and refilling, it’s a great idea to know the basics — especially if you own your own tank. No worries — we’ll make it easy for you. So you can feel confident and secure managing the day-to-day operations of living with propane.

Here’s a quick glossary ofpropane tank parts along with their functions — plus a few tips for making sure your propane tank stays in good working order.

PropaneFill Valve: When your propane is delivered, this is the valve that the technician attaches to the fuel hose. The hose from the truck connects to this valve. The hose end coupling screws into the valve with a gasket to create a reliable seal that prevents gas from escaping.

Service (Shut Off) Valve: Essentially the master switch to the propane supply, the service valve is the point at which propane gas enters the piping system to supply all the appliances that connect to it.

Float Gauge Assembly:The float gauge shows the volume of propane in the tank. Sometimes called a dial gauge, the float gauge is made of several parts: a mechanical float that lives inside the tank (much like the float you’d see if you lift the lid off your toilet’s water tank) connected to a reader on the outside of the tank that displays the liquid level (this may be a numeric gauge or a visual one color coding for safe, under-, and over-fill levels). It doesn’t show the exact amount of liquid in the tank, but it is reliable for everyday monitoring of your tank’s propane level.

To check the approximate propane level in your tank, look at the float gauge. It will be a round (or roundish) device on the tank (see image above) with a needle over a range of numbers or graphic indicators. The numbers will range from 5 to 95—indicating a percentage of volume, not the number of gallons remaining. If you see a level below 30, it means that your tank is getting low and needs to be refilled.

If you’re an AmeriGas customer, you may also have a remote tank monitor that automatically transmits the tank’s percentage to us every day. You can check your tank’s current status—without looking at your tank—by logging into your AmeriGas account.Learn more about our online services.

Relief Valve: This is the safety relief mechanism designed to vent propane in the event that pressure builds — for example, if the heat rises very suddenly to an extreme temperature (as might happen in a forest fire or other emergency situation). A spring inside the valve is designed to release if the pressure inside the tank builds to a certain level, at which point the valve will open slightly and start to hiss. If pressure rises excessively, the valve will open completely. The relief valve allows pressure to be released quickly and safely. All propane tanks are required by law to have a relief valve. You may also hear it called a pop-off valve or a pressure-venting valve.

FixedLiquid Level Gauge: Also known simply as a fixed liquid level gauge or the bleeder valve, this is the only tank component that gives a precise measure of how much liquid propane is in the tank. It’s used only by certified propane service providers when filling the tank — and even then, it’s used only to monitor, not to refill (propane goes into the tank through the fill valve).

Vapor Return Valve: Also known as the vapor equalizing connection or vapor equalization valve, this feature is required on all ASME propane tanks. They are usually deployed in the event that the liquid in the container becomes very overheated and must be evacuated from the container.

Liquid Withdrawal Valve: Used by technicians to withdraw liquid propane from the tank so it can be moved or disposed of. Note: Never attempt to remove liquid propane from a tank on your own. This should only be done by a professional using specialized equipment.

PropaneRegulator:Though they come in many shapes and sizes, the function of all propane regulators is the same — they maintain a safe and effective level of pressure on propane within the tank. This helps keep the flow steady and usable. These components make a persistent humming noise when operating — don’t worry, it’s normal.

You’re aware of what your tank should look like when it’s “all systems go” — as well as some important warning signs that will tell you it’s time to contact a professional. Armed with these basic terms and tips, you’re set up for propane success.

Safety Note: We do not recommend attempting any propane system adjustments, repairs, or maintenance on your own. Only certified propane professionals are equipped with the gear and knowledge to properly assess and address propane systems safely.Please contact us for more information and service.

For the end-user, propane is a safe, easy to use heating source that can power barbecue grills, home heating systems, and even refrigerators. But along the way, from extraction in the field to storage at your local Ferrellgas office, propane undergoes a number of different processes to ready it for commercial and residential use.

The key to propane’s portability, and what packs so much energy into a relatively small volume of space, is pressure. In its natural state, propane is a vaporous gas. Under pressure, however, that vapor is converted to a form that is easier to transport and store. Liquified Petroleum Gas, or LPG, is the result of pressurizing propane gas, which causes it to drop below its boiling point of -44 degrees Fahrenheit.

At this temperature or below, propane remains in a liquid state, which condenses a large amount of energy into a small volume of fluid. When the propane’s temperature increases, it begins to “boil” off and this vapor is the usable form of propane that is converted to flame and heat  your appliances. In this state, propane gas has a natural reaction to expand until it reaches equilibrium, or where it has normalized with atmospheric pressure.

There are four “Gas Laws”that explain the relationship between gases, pressure, temperature, and volume. Generally, propane pressureshould be between 100 and 200 psi ensures that the liquid propane gas remains in a liquid state.

Normally, the pressure inside a propane tank fluctuates slightly based on the outside temperature. For example, a standard 20-pound propane tank at 70 degrees will have 145 psi internal pressure. That same tank on a 100-degree day will have 172 psi of pressure.

Propane pressure levels exceeding 200 psi are likely to trigger a release from the safety relief valve commonly installed on propane storage tanks. This device allows propane gas to safely vent out of the tank if there’s excessive pressure.

If a propane tank is in contact with extreme heat, such as a garage fire, the external heat can cause the temperature inside the tank to increase, creating a BLEVE –or boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion. As the heat raises the temperature of the propane, the vapor expands and increases the pressure inside the tank, which can lead to a rupture.

On the other extreme, propane itself is unlikely to freeze –that would require a temperature below -306 degrees Fahrenheit. However, trace amounts of water in supply lines can freeze inside fuel ports and fittings in extremely cold conditions.

Use a pressure gauge. This device can be installed between the shutoff valve and the initial regulator and is particularly common on larger residential systems.

Close the shut-off valve and allow the system to stand for three minutes without showing an increase or decrease in pressure. Any increase in pressure indicates a faulty valve, while a decrease indicates a leak.

On smaller systems, such as propane barbecue grills, it’s important to remember that exposure to direct sunlight can increase both the temperature and pressure inside your propane tank.

The best practice is to store your grill and tank in a shaded and well-ventilated area. While your tank will be equipped with a pressure relief valve – also known as a “pop-off valve” – in case the pressure rises too high, there’s no need to tempt fate –or waste the propane you’ve purchased.

Additionally, it’s important to make sure your tank is not damaged and is free from rust, which could likewise affect not only the tank’s performance, but its ability to maintain the proper pressure.

Ferrellgas locations offer tank painting and rust removal services, and qualified technicians can inspect your tank to ensure it’s in good working order. Ferrellgas also produces resources with valuable information about propane tank safety, and additional information that will help you get the most from your tank.

Knowing how much pressure is in a propane tank is important, but it’s only part of the information you need to know to get the most from your experience with propane.

Understanding how your tank – and propane gas – reacts to extreme temperatures, the safety devices available, and the importance of safety and maintenance, will help ensure you get the most from each tank of propane you use. And don’t forget that there’s a Ferrellgas location near you with experts who are ready to help you answer any question.