why is my propane tank leaking from safety valve free sample

On hot days when the sun is high overhead and a propane delivery has recently been made, the safety relief valve may open slightly allowing excess pressure to vent. If the relief valve is opened, the protective cap will be removed

If the propane tank on your RV is leaking after a refill, then you have a serious problem on your hands. Of course, leaking propane can be extremely dangerous. So, why is your propane tank leaking after a refill?

The common reasons for a propane tank leaking are due to an open bleeder valve, an open relief valve, or a faulty valve system. We are also going to address the issue of a cracked propane tank. Although very unlikely, they can sometimes suffer serious physical damage.

Yes, absolutely is a leaking propane tank dangerous, and extremely so. Propane is flammable, which is why it is used for heating and cooking. If propane is leaking out of the tank, and it comes in contact with an open flame or spark, it’s going to cause a serious explosion.

It’s going to ignite the gas that is leaking out, and this flame will travel all the way back into the tank, and either just catch fire, or explode. There is also the fact that if it is in an enclosed space, inhaling propane is also very dangerous.

Although propane in itself is technically not toxic, it will displace the oxygen in the air. This means that if you breathe in too much propane, you won’t get enough oxygen, and can effectively suffocate to death.

One of the most common causes of a propane tank leaking after refilling is if the bleeder valve is open. Bleed valves are a special type of manually operated valve designed for bleeding liquids or gases out of a system.

It could also be the case that even if the bleeder valve is not open, the coil that it uses can be clogged with debris. This can then result in your propane tank leaking, specifically if the tank has too much propane in it. A good thing is that this is a very easy problem to solve.

The solution to a bleeder valve being open is simply to close it. All you have to do is to close the bleeder valve. You simply have to rotate the valve clockwise. Generally speaking, you are going to need to use a screwdriver, and you will need to turn the valve in a clockwise direction to close it.

The next reason why your propane tank might leak after a refill is if the relief valve is open. As the name implies, the relief valve is designed to help relieve pressure in the tank if there is too much of it.

Therefore, if it is hot outside, this relief valve may open up to allow pressure to get out of the tank. If the relief valve is slightly open, it will cause propane to leak out of the tank. Moreover, if the whole valve opens up, this can actually be quite dangerous.

the solution to a relief valve being open is actually quite simple, but you don’t actually want to touch the valve. This valve opens up all on its own in order to relieve pressure, and it should close on its own too.

If you tap or touch the valve in any way, or try to manipulate it, you may actually cause it to open up more, which is of course the opposite of what you are looking to achieve.

To solve this problem, you actually want to cool the tank down, which you can do by spraying it with some cool water or submerging it in a cold bath. This will relieve pressure on the tank and will cause the valve to close on its own.

However, if this does not work, then either this is not the issue or the relief valve is damaged to the point where you will just need to replace the propane tank.

The valve stem, or in other words the area where you connect the inlet tube to refill it with propane might be completely damaged or leaking. This is a huge problem because propane leaking out of the main stem can easily catch fire.

The solution to this issue is a little more complex because you will need to replace the entire tank valve stem system to prevent further damage and to prevent explosions from occurring.

Before you try to replace the valve, however, you need to ensure that the propane tank is 100% empty. Once the tank is 100% empty, you want to close the valve by turning the handle clockwise.

You now need to take out the leaking valve. You’re going to use a heat gun to soften up the weld that is holding together the cylinder and the gas valve.

Once this has been done, you want to open the nozzle of the tank to allow the regulator to come down to regular atmospheric pressure. You want to hold the tank very tightly while doing this.

You now need to attach the new valve and make sure that it comes complete with an overfilling prevention device inside of it. You’re going to attach the valve by threading it into the bung of the cylinder, and then tighten it using your pipe wrench.

If the actual propane cylinder itself is cracked or damaged in any way, and this is what’s causing the leak, then your only option is going to be to get a new propane tank.

If you need to replace the valve system on your propane tank, you do need to empty it first. To empty a leaking propane tank, you first want to disconnect it, and then take it to an open area.

The propane that is escaping is causing the hissing sound. Moreover, if the pressure within the propane cylinder gets to the same amount of pressure as the spring that is used to keep the relief valve shut, then the safety relief valve will open.

In other words, if your new propane tank is hissing, it is an issue with the safety relief valve. Refer to the above sections in order to fix a propane tank with an open relief valve.

When there is too much pressure inside a propane tank, the safety relief valve will open up to allow that extra pressure to escape. This is completely normal.

Propane is an extremely flammable gas, and yes, it can explode. If there is any kind of open flame or spark that the leaking propane comes into contact with, the result will be a massive explosion.

As you can see, there are a few reasons why a propane tank might leak after a refill. However, all of these issues are pretty serious, because you obviously don’t want propane leaking out.

Therefore, you want to take all of the necessary steps to remedy the issue as quickly as possible. If the propane tank cannot be fixed, you have to get a new one. Propane is just way too dangerous to take any chances with.

My name is Madeline Cooper, and I have now been living and traveling across the states in my RV for the past 8 years. It has been such an amazing experience, and I have learned so much along the way.

Through this blog, I want to share all of my hints and tips, along with reviews of the best RVing accessories. I hope this blog will help others with their RV trips, and make traveling easier for you.

A common sight in a hydronic boiler room is water dripping from the discharge pipe of the boiler relief valve. While it may appear to be inconsequential, it could cause extensive damage to the heating system.

Some boiler rooms have a bucket under the relief valve discharge pipe to mask the problem. The following are some suggestions if you would like to resolve the problem.

Leaking water from a sealed hydronic system can reduce the life of the system by introducing untreated makeup water containing oxygen and solids to the system. The oxygen can attack and pit the boiler and piping, causing corrosion and leaks.

The solids can affect the efficiency and safety of the system. Solids form scale on the hottest surfaces in the boiler lowering the heat transfer ability and efficiency of the system. A leaking relief valve can allow solids to form on the seat of the relief valve increasing the rate of the leak.

A worse situation occurs when the solids form on the spring side of the relief valve as it could alter the opening pressure. A relief valve was a contributing factor in a fatal boiler accident as scale formed on the relief valve, prohibiting it from opening properly.

The relief valve, rated for 30 psig, was tested after the accident and did not open until the pressure reached 1,500 psig. Diagnosing the cause of the leaking relief valve is time-consuming and sometimes frustrating. I like to explain this to the customer to prepare them when the diagnosis and repair may take more than one visit.

The first thing I check is the system pressure. Most hydronic boilers have a gauge called a tridicator, or PTA (pressure, temperature, altitude) gauge. How much pressure do we need for the system? Each pound of system pressure will raise water 2.3 feet. The way to calculate how much pressure you need is to determine the height of the tallest radiator and divide the height by 2.3.

For example, we have a radiator on the sixth floor, and the elevation is 60 feet high. When you divide the height (60 feet) by 2.3, we get 26.09 pounds. We should add 3 to 4 pounds to that number to allow for better air removal and to limit the chance of the hot water flashing to steam. This takes our normal system pressure to 29-30 psig.

The next step is to verify the pressure rating of the relief valve. The pressure rating of the relief valve should be at least 10 psig higher than the operating pressure of the system but less than the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of the boiler. Many hydronic boilers are shipped with a 30 psig relief valve from the factory. In this example, the relief valve should be at 40 psig or higher. If the system pressure is 30 psig and the relief valve, rated for 40 psig, is leaking, the relief valve is most likely defective.

Another troubleshooting task I perform is watching the tridicator (or PTA gauge) while the boiler is firing and heating the water. When water is heated from 65° F to 180°, the water volume expands by 3%. If the pressure gauge starts creeping up as the water heats, I would suspect a flooded compression tank or plugged piping to the compression tank.

In some instances, it may take several days for the pressure to build and open the relief valve and these are the most difficult to troubleshoot. The first place I would look is the compression tank. If the tank is flooded, there are a couple of reasons.

The most common causes are leaking gauge glass fittings above the water line of the tank, excessive system pressure, undersized tank, or the tank has a leak above the water line. If the system has been operating correctly for years, I would be hesitant to believe the tank is undersized.

A pinhole leak on top of the tank may be impossible to find and one of the ways to test the integrity of the tank is to valve off the water feeder to the system and check the tank in a few days to see if it flooded. If the tank is flooded, you might have to replace the tank.

If the compression tank has an enclosed bladder, check the pressure on the bladder side of the tank. To do this, you have to reduce the system pressure to 0 psig and check the bladder pressure using a tire pressure gauge. The internal pressure should be that same as the system pressure. From above, we know the system pressure is 30 psig.

Another culprit that can cause the pressure to rise and open the relief valve is if the boiler has an indirect water which uses the boiler water to heat the domestic water using a water to water heat exchanger. A leaking heat exchanger could allow the higher city water pressure to enter the space heating side and increase the system pressure. To test this idea, shut the valves from the domestic water side and see if the pressure still rises.

The last item to check is the pressure-reducing valve (PRV). This is a brass valve with an adjustment screw. Some models have a quick-fill feature, which allows you to pull a lever and quickly fill the system. A stethoscope is sometimes used to trouble shoot the PRV to detect if water is leaking through the valve.

Another way to test for leaking is to feel the downstream pipe and see if it is cold. In many instances, the water is fed slowly and difficult to detect. Another way to test to see if the PRV is leaking through is to shut off the valves on the feed water pipe and see if the pressure still rises. If it does, I will suspect the piping to the compression tank is restricted or the tank is flooded. If the pressure does not rise, it could be the pressure reducing valve.

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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.

For safe, expert propane tank installation, Boehlke Bottled Gas can’t be beat! Contact us today for your new propane tank. And don’t forget to ask about our reliable propane delivery!

It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t use propane as part of their RV experience. Propane gets used in RVs for cooking, refrigeration, and heating. Outside of the RV, propane has a host of other uses like firing up the barbecue or propane fireplace. The use of propane is so common, it’s easy for RVers to take propane safety for granted.

Propane is a colorless, odorless gas that is compressed into a liquid. Since propane is a highly noxious gas that can kill quickly if a leak goes undetected, gas companies add a rotten egg smell to it. This smell helps us detect propane leaks before they can poison us. When handled correctly, propane is a stable, safe, and convenient fuel.

Be aware that propane is heavier than the air we breathe. Being closer to the ground, children and pets are more vulnerable to propane’s toxic effects than adults.

In its compressed liquid state, propane is stored in metal propane cylinders. All propane cylinders are designed with a safety relief valve that will cause propane to leak out if the liquid propane inside comes into contact with the valve. This leaked propane vaporizes immediately and the resulting vapors could either ignite or cause propane toxicity.

Secure your tanks for use and transport them using the harnesses that come with your rig. If you need to take portable tanks in for a fill-up, secure them in the back of your pick-up truck using a milk crate, tie-downs, or a propane stabilizer.

Don’t store or transport propane tanks inside your RV or your vehicle. If you have to take them for a refill, transport your propane tanks secured in the back of a pickup truck. This is for two reasons:

If you are in an accident and firefighters attend, they will be focused on getting you and your family out of your vehicle. They’ll be using all the tools they need to do that. If they don’t suspect there is a propane tank inside your vehicle, a spark from a metal cutting tool could be disastrous.

Propane-related accidents can be catastrophic and are avoidable. Make sure you are on a safe route by planning your travels with RV LIFE Trip Wizard; you can simply select propane and RV-friendly routing options under the Routing & Driving tab to be automatically routed around tunnels that prohibit propane.

One of the most hotly contested topics among RVers is whether you should run the fridge on propane during travel. On one side, there are RVers who passionately say they do it all the time without issue. On the other side, there are some RVers who don’t want to risk it all for keeping their food and beverages cold.

The fact is, when we are traveling on highways and gravel roads with our rigs, they are subjected to shaking that can be equivalent to that of an earthquake. The parts of the propane system that make it function can theoretically be damaged during movement. All it takes is a small spark or your RV refrigerator’s flame and you could be standing by the side of a highway, inhaling the carcinogenic fumes of your burning RV or worse.

The trick to avoiding this ugly and unexpected scene is to simply keep your propane valves turned off during travel. Your RV fridge is designed to keep its contents cold for a few hours even if it’s off. For longer trips, you can always store cold food and beverages in a cooler, and then store them in the RV fridge when you get where you are going.

On really hot days, it won’t hurt to use Reflectix, aluminum shade cloth, or even ice to help keep your propane tanks cool. Given the high flammability of propane, it’s a good idea to always keep propane cylinders away from flames.

Propane cylinders have a useful lifespan of 10 years in Canada or 12 years in the USA. There is a stamp on the collar of the tank that will give you the date of manufacture so you can tell how old it is.

In addition, propane cylinders should be carefully checked for excessive rust, corrosion, and wear and tear. Out of date or worn out propane cylinders can often be returned to anywhere that sells propane.

Your entire propane system should be inspected at least once per year. It’s best to get a certified RV technician to do this, but there are a few components close to the cylinder that you can easily check yourself and swap out if necessary. You can easily check them by spraying soapy water on them and watching for bubbles.

One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts.iRV2 forumsallow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and more.

Lynne lives, travels, and works full-time in a Forest-River R-Pod 180 with her 2-pointers, Jolene and Annabelle. Lynne has been an enthusiastic RVer for over 35 years.  And then one day in 2019, she began full-time RVing as a lifestyle experiment.  She quickly fell in love with the convenience, freedom and minimalist lifestyle offered by full-time RV living.   Lynne is a professional writer and has been a professional dog trainer since 1995.   You can read about her travel adventures on her R-Pod Adventure blog, R-podyssey at: http://www.rpodaventure.com

In its natural state, propane is odorless and colorless. A chemical odorant has been added to give a distinct smell to the propane. The purpose of the odorant is to help people detect the presence of propane. It is important that members of the household are able to distinguish the smell of odorized propane. To readily recognize a leak, know what propane smells like. Ag Plus has pamphlets available with a scratch-and-sniff spot so that your entire family can recognize the smell. Propane leak detectors, similar to carbon monoxide detectors, are available.

Water can damage the internal safety mechanism in the gas controls of an appliance. If you suspect that your appliance gas controls may be wet (because of flooding, for example), have a trained technician replace them immediately.

Water Heaters—Drain your tank periodically (until water runs clean – usually 2 to 3 gallons) to get rid of sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank.

Ranges—Have your kitchen range serviced if the burner flame is not blue. The blue flame indicates complete combustion. A yellow flame means air inlets are clogged or burners need adjustment. Contact a trained service technician immediately. Do not cover the oven bottom with foil – it can restrict air circulation.

Propane is a naturally safe energy source and provides many benefits that ensure worry-free comfort. It has an enviable safety record and history due to the strict regulations and stringent codes developed by the propane industry in association with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Every aspect of installation, storage and tank filling has been evaluated to ensure the highest standards of safety and worry-free operation. Blossman Gas technicians are leaders in the industry on safety, and are highly trained to install and test propane gas appliances.

Should you and your family evacuate, shut off your propane tank by turning the gas supply valve in a clockwise direction. Once the evacuation is complete, call your local propane provider to get your gas reestablished safely.

Make sure the grill is clean. When finished grilling and the grill is turned off but hot, clean off the grates. Once the grill cools, clean out the collection tray.

If you are unsure whether your propane gas system is working properly, one of our trained technicians will perform a Gas Safety Check. This important safety and preventative maintenance inspection takes 30 to 90 minutes and your system will be tested for leaks and checked to ensure it meets all applicable safety standards. It involves your entire propane gas system, including the tank, pipes, regulators, gauges, connectors, valves, vents, thermostats, pilots, burners and appliance controls. When completed, you can be assured that your system is safe and in good working condition.

If you think you smell propane in your home, RV or the area around any gas equipment; or if a gas alarm signals the presence of propane, you should do the following:

Even if you do not continue to smell propane, do not turn on the supply valve until a qualified Blossman service technician or emergency personnel tests for escaped propane. NEVER test for propane using an open flame. Only suitable leak detection devices should be used. Your Blossman service technician will check all of your appliances and re-light any gas pilots when the leak situation has been fixed.

As fall rolls along and some RVers are thinking about winterizing and storing their rigs for the winter, we thought this would be a good time to address the question, “Does propane go bad?”

We’ve previously investigated gasoline and diesel in our posts entitled “Does Gasoline Go Bad?” and “Does Diesel Go Bad?” But we’ve never written a post about the shelf life of propane.

Not only do some RVers store their rigs for the winter (often with partially full propane tanks), but lots of people store partially full portable propane gas tanks used for summer barbequeing.

Many RVers rely on propane for heating, cooking, and hot water. As the fall nights get chilly, some are getting ready to bring out their portable propane-powered heaters for winter camping. But, they’ve been stored away for a long time.

For all of these people, it’s important to know whether propane degrades over time. More important, however, is whether a stored propane tank presents a risk. Can propane tanks explode in the cold, for example?

Propane, (LPG or liquefied petroleum gas), is a component of natural gas that is compressed and stored as a liquid. And, it has a very long shelf life.

When you see an expiration date on a propane tank or gauge, what you’re actually seeing is the date when the tank’s safety inspection expires. Essentially, the date on the tank is a reminder to get the tank itself inspected because it’s the tank that needs to be replaced – not the propane.

In the United States, PORTABLE propane tanks/cylinders with a capacity of 100 pounds or less will have an expiration date 12 years out from the manufacturing date, as required by the DOT standard they are certified to. (They have a 10-year expiry in Canada.)

After that date, you’ll need to have the tank inspected to determine if it needs to be replaced or requalified/recertified. Requalified/recertified tanks will receive a new expiration date of 5, 7, or 12 years out, depending on the type of recertification and the method.

Brand new, larger, BUILT-IN RV propane tanks are manufactured with thicker walls and are certified by ASME (just like permanently installed propane cylinders for residential use), not the DOT, and don’t need to be recertified. However, it’s still a good to check regularly them for signs of rust and leaks.

Propane tanks can rust and leak. Since a gas leak is never a good thing, it’s important to prevent rust and to monitor tanks for the development of rust. It’s also why propane tanks have an “expiry” date – a reminder that it’s time to get the tank inspected.

There are safety mechanisms built into propane tanks. As long as you maintain your tanks and respect the propane as you use it, your propane tank exploding (or imploding) is highly unlikely.

Leaks can develop around valves, of course, but if rust penetrates the tank, you’ve got a real problem on your hands. The important thing is to make sure your tank never gets to that point!

It’s also important to make sure that a propane tank isn’t exposed to extreme heat for long periods of time. If temperatures outside the tank are so high that they cause the temperature inside to rise excessively, the tank can explode if the built-in safety release systems fail.

However, this is an unusual situation and would require the liquid propane inside a faulty tank to come to a boil and expand. That expansion could cause the tank to explode. For this to happen, your tank would need to be stored in a place with temperatures of 120℉ or higher for an extended period.

It’s always best to store a propane tank (or a rig with a built-in propane tank!) in a place that is cool and dry. Lower storage temperatures ensure the tank, and the LP inside it, remain at a safe, low temperature. Again, it’s best to store propane at temps below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

When storing a propane tank (or an RV with a propane tank onboard) be sure to shut the valve off prior to storing. You don’t want a gas leak developing.

Yes, you can! If you don’t have a working gauge on your propane tank, the best way to check the level of propane in the tank is actually quite simple.

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The term “natural gas” actually encompasses several types of gases, including propane, butane, ethanol, and methane. Propane is separated from these other gases and sold for residential and commercial uses. It is naturally odorless and colorless and requires the addition of an odorant so humans can detect it in case of a gas leak. Propane is pressurized into a liquid state for storage and transportation and is therefore called “liquified propane” or LP. Because of this pressurization, even a small discharge of liquified propane will create a serious hazard of ignition or explosion. While natural gas is widely used as a cost-effective way to primarily heat homes and businesses and for outdoor recreational purposes, many dangers of propane gas exist. And, unfortunately, these dangers can lead to significant burn injuries with the potential of impacting the rest of the injured person’s life.

While liquified gas is a clean source of fuel for homes, use comes with a few inherent risks. LP is commonly used in rural areas and stored under pressure in a 500-gallon tank. Via several external regulators, the liquified propane is depressurized from the tank to the home in order to be usable by small in-home appliances. Though LP gas use can be relatively safe, there are a few dangers of propane gas and LP associated with use, including but not limited to the following:

The need for periodic shutdown of LP gas service from the tank to the home in service calls or out of gas calls, which then requires careful leak testing and pressure testing prior to placing the system back into service.

Risks of regulator dysfunction or failure due to age, damage, freezing, or corrosion, which can result in unsafe pressure above what home appliances can handle without leaking.

Since LP gas is stored under pressure in a liquified state, even a small leak can create the possibility of significant gas explosion and fire. Because of the inherent risks associated with its delivery, storage, and use, liquified propane is governed by near-universally adopted standards and safety codes in the United States.

The two primary safety codes and standards in the U.S. are governed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and are known as NFPA 54 – National Fuel Gas Code, and NFPA 58 – Liquified Petroleum Gas Code. The State of Michigan has adopted both of these codes. These two codes govern virtually every aspect of the storage, delivery, installation, pressurization, service, testing, and use of LP gas systems.

Both codes also provide proper methods and steps to conduct proper safety inspecting. These are essential safety rules because the failure to do leak tests and pressure tests properly and when required results in the risk of undetected leaks and system failures which can and do lead to catastrophic results.

Although LP gas is mixed with an odorant chemical to provide the telltale rotten egg smell, the homeowner is frequently unaware of an existing gas leak due to:

Propane isn’t used in just 500-gallon tanks for heating homes; you’ve likely seen or used twenty-pound small propane cylinders for outdoor heaters, grills, and other recreational purposes. These propane cylinders or canisters come with their own inherent risks, too. Overfills and transportation errors are the two most common causes of explosions of 20-pound propane cylinders.

Overfills often occur due to an over-reliance on automated devices that supposed to stop filling when the cylinder is full. This doesn’t always work, however, for differing reasons, including employee misuse. When overfilled, even just slightly, the pressure valve on the cylinder will open, releasing gas. As previously stated, even a small leak of LP gas inside an enclosed space, like the interior of a vehicle, for example, can result in a buildup that reaches explosive limits.

When transporting small propane cylinders, it is absolutely essential they remain upright during transport. Lying on their side or tipping onto their side can result in a gas leak. We have previously represented a family whose four-year-old daughter was a passenger in the backseat of the vehicle. A gas company employee placed a small propane cylinder on its side, which caused it to leak and fill the trunk. A small spark from the trunk’s antenna raising motor ignited the gas, resulting in serious burns to the child in the backseat.

Unfortunately, this is not a rare occurrence. Remember to always transport small propane cylinders upright and secure them in a way to avoid any tipping during transport.

Our highest hope is that there will be no more serious injuries and deaths as a result of LP gas explosions and fires. However, when they do occur, protecting the injured person’s rights to obtaining compensation for their injuries is essential. A fire origin and cause investigation will commence almost immediately following a gas explosion and fire to answer:

Those injured in propane gas explosions should seek expert legal counsel as quickly after their accident as possible. Experienced burn accident attorneys will have access to expertly trained fire origin and cause experts who will work diligently on your behalf to answer the previous questions. You need a team that will respond quickly in order to help ensure the collection and preservation of physical evidence following the fire. The physical evidence will help establish fault or negligence on the part of the LP gas company or another entity.

It is important to note that most attorneys do not have the required experience in handling these very complex legal claims. Contacting an attorney who has the knowledge and experience early-on following the propane gas explosion will help increase opportunities to obtain fair compensation.

If you use propane at your Seacoast Region home, you should familiarize yourself with your propane tank and how it works, as well as propane safety information.

One thing that may have you worried is if you hear a hissing sound coming from your propane tank. The understandable first thought is that your propane tank is leaking and that it’s unsafe. That’s why we recommend getting in touch with us immediately if you hear a hissing sound. If there is a leak, we can safely and properly deal with it. The sound may also be from your propane tank’s safety relief valve doing its job, which may indicate problems that we need to fix.

Propane tanks of all sizes, including those used for grilling, are required by law to include pressure relief mechanisms that allow excess pressure to be released from within the tank.

The safety relief valve is kept shut by a sturdy 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. That’s when you’ll hear a hissing sound coming from the tank. That sound is the pressure in the tank being dissipated. The valve will fully open in cases where the tank pressure is significantly greater than the spring pressure. If that happens, you’ll hear a pop.

Once the pressure is down below the pressure of the spring, the valve should close on its own. But that does not mean that the problem is solved. A pressure relief valve opening is a sign that something may be wrong with your tank. Get in touch with us right away if your safety relief valve opens so we can inspect your tank and fix any problems that are found. DO NOT try to replace the safety relief valve or fix it or your propane tank yourself. Any work on a propane tank is not a DIY project and must be done by a trained service technician.

With that kind of expansion, there needs to be room inside your propane tank to accommodate it. Therefore, your propane tank is filled to 80% rather than 100%. The propane in the tank can safely expand thanks to that 20% of empty space within it.

Expansion is also the reason for why propane tanks are painted light colors such as white or beige. These 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 heat can cause the propane inside your tank to expand to dangerous levels.

The most common propane tank sizes used today are: 330 gallons, 500 gallons and 1000 gallons. They must be at least ten feet from both the house and the property line. For proper delivery service, your tank should not sit more than eighty feet from your driveway. We do carry a hundred foot hose; however, we reserve the extra length for obstacles like cars and snow banks.

The numbers on your gauge tell you the percentage of gas remaining in your tank. The gauge to the left, for example, shows a tank that has 35% of remaining propane and is based on the total amount it can hold. (Note: You should never allow your tank to fall below 10% capacity.)

TO FIND OUT HOW MANY GALLONS YOU HAVE LEFT, simply multiply the percentage on your gauge by your tank size. For our example above, that would be .35 X 250 = 87.5 gallons remaining. Make sure you know your tank size (150, 250, or 500 gallons)

If you ever smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off all the gas at the tank. Open the area to fresh air. Do not do anything that could cause a spark. Call us immediately!

Letting your propane tank run empty creates additional hazards. If you run out of gas and lose pressure in the system, a potentially hazardous condition can result. If you do run out of gas, follow these steps:

Don’t turn the gas back on yourself. Let us do it. When you schedule your fill, be sure it is at a time when you will be at home. This way we can relight and check your appliances and your system to ensure they are operating properly and leak free.

After your tank is refilled, have a service technician check IMMEDIATELY to see that all safety controls are functioning properly and that the piping system is leak free.

Here we provide descriptions and photographs of unsafe gas piping, indications of unsafe or improperly operating gas appliances, gas meters, and other gas installation defects are provided. The photo above shows two 24-gallon LP gas tanks installed outdoors on a wobbly unstable base.

This document also provides free sample draft home inspection report language for reporting defects in oil and gas piping at residential properties. Do not copy contents from InspectApedia to other websites.

Do not do anything that is likely to cause a gas explosion, such as lighting a match, operating an electrical switch, or even using a telephone in the building

be protected from water and frost to prevent potentially dangerous damage to the LP gas pressure regulator, shown as the gray disk behind the right-most

the gas company monitors your usage rate and calculates when to make a delivery based on usage history; if you add or change gas fired appliances at your building you should discuss this modification with your gas vendor to keep deliveries on track.

you will have to watch the fuel level in your LP gas tank and call your gas vendor when the fuel level is low. Most gas companies prefer to make a delivery when the fuel level in the LP tank is below 20%.

If your building uses piped-in natural gas, fuel delivery is continuous through the piping system and of course you won"t have an LP gas tank at your property.

Watch out: if you have run out of LP gas entirely your fuel delivery driver may refuse to re-fill the tank unless provision can be made to assure that pilot lights in the building are also re-lit and that the building is safe from risk of a gas leak.

And since the LP gas delivery truck driver has to pull a heavy gas hose and nozzle from the truck to your LP tank, you don"t want to run out of fuel in the dead of winter with deep snow-cover and no path cleared to the LP gas tank.

To protect customers from a dishonest LP gas delivery driver, the fuel meter will not print a receipt if the LP gas delivery truck has moved at all from the time of start of LP gas pumping.

Our driver explained that otherwise, "in the old days" of older LP gas meters, a dishonest driver could drop off LP gas at multiple properties, billing just the last customer for fuel.

The LP gas company does not fill the tank to its very top as that would not leave sufficient room for expansion of the liquid fuel as temperatures increase from the temperature of the liquid propane at the time of delivery.

REALLY? NIST in discussing the coefficienty of expansion of propane cites that for propane, at temperatures from about 85K to 650K the pressure will range from 1kPa to 4521 kPa as a function of temperature and pressure.

Overpressure in the LP tank can cause direct venting of combustible gas to the atmosphere, liquid fuel in the distribution lines, abnormally high and thus unsafe pressures at the appliance, or even a ruptured tank. . - Ramirez et als. (retrieved 2014)

These LP Gas tank location clearances for above-ground LP gas tanks are given as measured from the tank"s relief valve in any direction away from any potential source

Install the above ground LP gas storage tank at least five feet from the air intake to any direct venting appliance (such as a high efficiency gas boiler)

if a tank tips over and breaks gas line it could be dangerous. This is an inexpensive item. This item should be handled promptly on establishing gas service for the house, preferably before tanks are filled.

The concern with *any* backfill on tanks or piping is to avoid sharp rocks or objects that, through settlement, might perforate or damage the equipment. I"m not sure what sort of limestone nor what size gravel that contractor uses, but sand sounds safer to me.

FOOD TRUCK/CART LP FUEL STORAGE REGULATIONS - New York City [PDF] retrieved 2021/12/09 original source: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/Support/use-store-LPG-food-cart-commissaries.pdf

NPGA #412-94 "Installation of Underground LP-Gas Systems", National Propane Gas Association, 1600 Eisenhower Lane, Suite 100, Lisle IL 60532, Tel: 630-515-0600 (1994), Website: http://www.npga.org/, - retrieved 3 Feb 2015, original source: https://www.suburbanpropane.com/pdf/NPGA412-94.pdf

"Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Propane Awareness", Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, Massachusetts Firefighting Academy", retrieved 12 January 2015, original source: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dfs/mfa/student-guides/417-propaneawareness.pdf [copy on file]

Australia, Victoria: "Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 1999, S.R. No. 6/1999, retrieved 3 Feb 2015, original source: http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/

Hydro-Québec reports on progress in its survey of electricity meter installations and inspections of clearance between stationary propane tanks and meters and will publish the data on its Web site.

Hydro-Québec employees are currently making the rounds of customers who have outdoor meters to make sure that there is enough clearance. Remote service interruption is totally safe for the close to a million customers who have their meters indoors.

Hydro-Québec would like to reassure its customers. Only one of the new meter"s functions—remote service interruption—is in question. Although the risk has not been confirmed, Hydro-Québec is eliminating any potential risk by deactivating this function.

Hydro-Québec recently sent out a notice to all installers, reminding them not to replace any electricity meter if the installation is not up to code. Gas suppliers also have a responsibility to install propane tanks at the regulation distance where the meter location is known.

When the risks are properly identified and managed, LPG can be safely used as a fuel source for many applications. This information is aimed primarily at users of LPG to provide information and help to ensure it is used safely.

Install the below-ground (buried) LP gas storage tank at least ten feet from an "important building" [presumably we exclude things like garden sheds] or from abutting property that may later have a building constructed on it.

Look for the access cover, usually white steel on older LP gas cylinders or black plastic covering an access well on new buried LP gas tanks, as we mention next.

This Liquid Petroleum Gas Tank Gauge - LP tank gauge or bottled gas tank gauge shows us that it is intended for installation on a 200 Lb. LP gas cylinder, and that the tank is at about 40% full.

LP Gas tanks are normally filled before the tank is totally empty. The liquid petroleum gas delivery truck driver can assure that no contaminants have leaked into the tank if it is still under pressure.

LP tanks are usually not filled to 100% of tank capacity, since doing so would risk sending liquefied LP gas out of the gas tank and into the regulator where it could cause damage or be unsafe.

The curved graph at the upper end of the LP gas gauge dial shows the effects of temperature on the LP gas stored in the tank and thus on the effective remaining amount of fuel in the tank.

Some smaller LP gas cylinders may lack a gauge. When a gas cylinder has no percentage-full gauge and we want to know if the tank is empty or nearly so, we gently rock the tank (be careful not to cause a gas leak).

A bit of experience with pushing slightly on the tank just before and just after it has been filled by your LP gas delivery company can make it easy to have a general idea of the level of fuel in the tank.

Propane Gas Tank Safety Recommendations: The liquid propane gas tank at ... is partially buried - this may not be a recommended building practice; accelerated rust may lead to failure of the container. Please review this question with the gas supply company.

Be sure that the safety relief valve and controls atop the LP gas tanks outside are protected from icing (for example from exposure to rain or gutter overflow). Iced controls can prevent proper operation of safety devices.

Please look in the article above on this page where you will see several clearance distance is given for LP or propane tanks. Do let us know if any of that is unclear.

“These LP Gas tank location clearances for above-ground LP gas tanks are given as measured from the tank"s relief valve in any direction away from any potential source of ignition (of a gas leak) or where leaking gas could be drawn into a building window or other vent opening.”

And then review the NFPA diagram above on this page for the distances shown for the different items you ask about as this is used by most authorities.

Keep in mind, of course, that federal, state, and local ordinances must be followed at all times. You can always check with your local building authority if you aren’t confident in the propane companies’ answers.

What is the proper spacing distance of a horizontal 250 gallon above-ground LP tank from a house wall, windows, heat pump and fixed generator? Are the spacing distances measured from the fill valve, the pressure relief valve, or any closest part of the tank?

I’ve gotten two different answers from two different propane companies, and I’m not sure that either one is according to code or the standard NFPA spacing diagram. Thanks.

You"ll see that the "code" illustrators draw clearance distance lines from the point of concern to the closest point of the cover over the LP tank gas valve and regulator assembly.

Most-often that"s take as from the closest point on the cover over the LP tank gas valve and regulator assembly to the closest point on the item in question - window, electrical panel, etc. So you"d measure from closest point on the cover if the regulator is under the cover, or on the vent if you"re permitted to relocate it, to the closest point on the exterior of the electrical box.

Rather than get into an argument with a building inspector, IMO it makes sense from a safety view as well as a cost and time view, to locate LP tanks and regulators far enough away from points of concern that there is no ambiguity.

In your specific case you"re going need to ask if moving the regulator-vent outlet using sufficiently sized- and properly-located- pipe will satisfy the local code inspector who"s the final authority.

Thank you for continuing the discussion, it"s helpful. I don"t have an authoritative answer, because in my experience the details of exactly which point on the gas regulator or vent when measuring clearance is inconsistent. Ultimately the decision seems to be in the hands of the local code compliance inspector.

Remember that there are two separate clearance topics. One is the risk of creating an explosion by having an ignition source to close to the gas regulator vent. The other is a requirement for adequate working space around gas meters and valves and equipment.

thank you for your time to respond. I reviewed the reference but an still unclear if the distance requirements typically referenced apply to the regulator body or the opening of the vent (Assuming it is piped somewhere.) Thank you.

I have seen local plumbing inspectors or gas company installers willing to approve an exception to gas meter clearances in some cases - the local official is the final legal authority.

For example, in the Town of Poughkeepsie, New York, where new gas meters are installed outside, when we built an addition to an existing home the gas meter would have ended up indoors - and would have had to be relocated. But the local inspector was satisfied with leaving the meter in place provided its vent was extended to the building exterior.

This appendix addresses the requirements for meters and service piping, underground or aboveground, as the piping enters the building. Service piping includes fuel-gas piping, valves, and fittings upstream of the point of delivery. Service piping may include piping supplied by the gas service utility.

When located inside the building, each regulator shall be provided with a vent pipe that leads directly to the outdoor air. The vent pipe shall be sized according to local utility requirements. The vent outlet shall not be located under a window or any opening leading back into the premises or located below any overhang or projection. No gas regulator vent outlet shall be covered over, plugged up, or otherwise obstructed, and all gas vents shall be identified by suitable marking on the outlet on the outside of the building.

Watch out: there are additional important gas piping and meter location constraints, such as maximum distances from the service line valve to the gas pressure regulator.

Hello I have a buried LP tank approximate 25" from the corner of my home. At the entrance to the home there is a pressure regulator mounted on the back exterior wall with a vent extension of 6". Presumable to move the vent away from the basement window and meter box. Question: Can I install an RV panel 50 outlet with breakers above the gas regulator if it is remotely vented? Can you point to a reference showing this? thank you.

I am going to "gang" a second 120 gallon propane tank with my existing 120 gallon tank (both above ground) to increase my propane capacity for a pool heater. If I place the second tank next to the exisiting tank close to the house, the second tank will be close to the clothes dryer vent for the laundry room. The vent will not be blocked, but it will be within one foot of the tank. I don"t believe this constitutes an ignition source. Any issues??

You should ask him why he"s doing that. If he"s not just entertaining himself it may be that he"s listening to the change in Pitch of the ringing tank as a way to get an idea how full it is getting.

Continue reading at GAS BTUH, CUBIC FEET & ENERGY where we discuss LP tank sizes and BTU capacity and lasting time, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

GAS TANKS LP / PROPANE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

O"Brien, Jim, "CLAS Safety Seminar", Connecticut Lighter than Air Society, (2010), retrieved 4/28/14, original source: http://www.unitoops.com/Propane%20Safety.pdf

Version 2-2012-1-Pro , U.S. Secretary of Commerce, retrived 4/28/14, original source: http://wtt-pro.nist.gov/wtt-pro/index.html?cmp=propane#propane/ aa1;374,264,507,424/A;0,0,507,424;help,about/aa2;28,45,507,623/

Venera Brinzea, Maria Mitu, Codina Movileanu, Adina Musuc and Domnina Razus, "Expansion Coefficients And Normal Burning Velocities Of Propane-air Mixtures By The Closed Vessel Technique:, University of Bucharrest, Analele Universatati Bucuresti, Department of Physical Chemistry

Gasco, "Propane Safety, Propane Properties", Gasco, Green Bay Wisconsin, Tel: 1-800-589-2244, Email: sales@gasco-propane.com, Retrieved 4/28/14,original source: http://www.gasco-propane.com/Files/safety.html

[4] At geocities.com/rainforest/6847/report1.html is an interesting and detailed though not “neutral” report on the components and contaminants in the combustion of natural gas. You’ll see a long long list of emissions products, but look again – most of the contaminant levels listed are in the picograms.

[9] Bottini Fuel is a residential and commercial heating oil distributor and oil heat service company in Wappingers Falls, NY and with offices in other New York locations. Bottini Fuel, 2785 W Main St, Wappingers Falls NY, 12590-1576 (845) 297-5580 more contact information for Bottini Fuel

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