Do not touch electrical switches, light matches, or use the phone. Get everyone out of the building. Shut off the gas valve at the outside tank, meter, or service entrance. Call your propane gas supplier and/or the fire department from a neighbor’s phone. No. However, it is a simple asphyxiate. Which means that if one breathes propane vapor instead of air then suffocation may result. OPD is an acronym meaning over-fill prevention device. Now required by national standards, an overfilling prevention device is a secondary means of assuring that cylinders are not overfilled. Overfilling of cylinders is a dangerous condition and has been determined to be the most frequent cause of propane cylinder accidents. As of October 1, 1998, all DOT cylinders with capacities of 4 pounds up to 40 pounds must be manufactured with an OPD-equipped valve. If your cylinder is inspected for re-qualification after October 1, 1998, an OPD-equipped valve must be installed prior to the cylinder being refilled. As of April 1, 2002, cylinders without OPD’s cannot be refilled. How can I tell if my cylinder has an OPD-equipped valve? OPD-equipped valves may be identified by: (1) a specially designed, triple-notched valve hand wheel and/or, (2) a hand wheel or valve body that is clearly marked with the letters OPD. Why should propane tanks and cylinders be painted a light color? It is best to keep propane containers as cool as possible. Light reflective colors such as white or silver do not absorb heat from sunshine as readily as do darker colors thus keeping the tank cooler. Where should a non-portable propane tank or cylinder be installed? As simple as this question sounds the answer can get very complicated. Rule of thumb is that if the tank is larger that 124 gallons water capacity (WC) then it should be placed no less than ten feet from just about everything. This includes your house or any building structure, property line, wood pile or other combustibles storage. Keep in mind that your propane service provider needs to be able to reach the tank with the delivery hose. Since most delivery hoses are 125 feet in length, the tank needs to be within 110 feet of a driveway or lane where the delivery truck may be parked safely and without getting stuck. Click here to view Container Spacing or Cylinders diagrams. There are other considerations such as overhead power lines, the septic system, traffic protection and appearance (see Landscaping With Propane Tanks 101 in this web site). If the tank capacity is 124 gallons WC or less and filled in place, it may be installed up next to the house or building provided there is no window, door, crawlspace opening within three feet of the filling connection on the tank AND provided there is no ventilation device, openings into direct-vent appliances, or any source of ignition within ten feet of the filling connection on the tank. This paragraph also applies to most cylinders filled in place. Click here to view Container Spacing or Cylinders diagrams. My regulator is “froze up”. What should I do? First of all, call your propane service provider. They will need to know in order to prevent it from happening again. An immediate remedy, which you may perform yourself, is to warm up the regulator somehow. An electric blow dryer works well. Two quarts of hot tap water poured directly on the regulator will also do the trick. However, the regulator must be installed properly (vent pointed downward) in order for this to work. What ever you do, don’t use an open flame to thaw out the regulator. If you see a frost or ice build up on the regulator or adjacent piping, do not be alarmed. This is normal and should not be confused with a typical regulator freeze up. A frosty or iced regulator is usually not a problematic condition with the propane system and may even be normal under certain climatic conditions. Why does propane have an odor? Naturally, propane is odorless. Your supplier adds an “odorant” to the propane to permit the detection of leaks before gas concentrations reach a hazardous level. The odor is unpleasant so that the leak will be paid attention to and repaired. What is the difference between LP-gas and propane? LP-gas is a general term referring to a family of chemical compounds known as hydrocarbons. Propane is one of these hydrocarbons and is therefore an LP-gas. What are some physical properties of propane?
When changing from a liquid to a vapor, propane will expand 270 times. One cubic foot of propane liquid will expand to 270 cubic feet of vapor. Propane gas is heavier than air and will temporarily settle near the floor and in low lying areas such as crawl spaces and basements. BTU is an acronym for British Thermal Unit and is a heat value rating. By definition a BTU is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. What BTU ratings would be found on typical domestic appliances?
When vapor flows through pipe or tubing a measurable amount of friction slows the flow. If the flow is slowed too greatly, the resultant drop in pressure may cause the appliance being supplied to burn improperly. This can create unnecessary service calls and appliance failure. The relative friction of a small pipe is greater than that of a larger pipe. Therefore, if the pipe is undersized, the full operating pressure of the appliance will not make it to the appliance. What is the Material Safety Data for propane? MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Product Name: Odorized Commercial Propane
Composition/Information On Ingredients
Hazards IdentificationEmergency Overview
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS INFORMATION ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: Inhalation: Asphyxiant. It should be noted that before suffocation could occur, the lower flammability limit of propane in air would be exceeded, possibly causing both an oxygen-deficient and explosive atmosphere. Exposure to concentrations >10% may cause dizziness. Exposure to atmospheres containing 8%-10% or less oxygen will bring about unconsciousness without warning, and so quickly that the individuals cannot help or protect themselves. Lack of sufficient oxygen may cause serious injury or death.
CHRONIC EFFECTS: None. First Aid MeasuresINHALATIONS: Persons suffering from lack of oxygen should be removed to fresh air. If victim is
not breathing, administer artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. Obtain prompt medical attention. Fire-Fighting MeasuresFLASH POINT: -156 F (-104 C) AUTOIGNITION: 842 F (432 C) Accidental Release MeasuresSTEPS TO BE TAKEN IF MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED: Evacuate the immediate area. Eliminate any possible sources of ignition and provide maximum ventilation. Shut off source of propane, if possible. If leaking from container, or valve, contact your supplier. Handling And StorageHANDLING PRE-CAUTIONS: Propane vapor is heavier than air and can collect in low areas that are without sufficient ventilation. Leak-check system with a leak detector or solution, never with flame. Make certain the container service valve is shut off prior to connecting or disconnecting. If container valve does not operate properly, discontinue use and contact supplier. Never insert an object (e.g. wrench, screwdriver, pry bar, etc.) into pressure relief valve or cylinder valve cap openings. Do not drop or abuse cylinders. Never strike an arc on a gas container or make a container part of an electrical circuit. See ``OTHER INFORMATION’’ for additional precautions. Exposure Controls/Personal ProtectionENGINEERING CONTROLS Physical and Chemical PropertiesBOILING POINT: @ 14.7 psia = -44 F Stability and ReactivitySTABILITY: Stable. Toxicological InformationPropane is non-toxic and is a simple asphyxiant, however, it does have slight anesthetic properties and higher concentrations may cause dizziness. [IRRITANCY OF MATERIAL]: None Ecological InformationNo adverse ecological effects are expected. Propane does not contain any Class I or Class II ozone-depleting chemicals (40 CFR Part 82). Propane is not listed as a marine pollutant by DOT (49 CFR Part 171). Disposal ConsiderationsWASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Do not attempt to dispose of residual or unused product in the container. Return to supplier for safe disposal. Residual product within process system may be burned at a controlled rate, if a suitable burning unit (flare stack) is available on site. This shall be done in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. Transport InformationDOT SHIPPING NAME: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Regulatory InformationThe following information concerns selected regulatory requirements potentially applicable to this product. Not all such requirements are identified. Users of this product are responsible for their own regulatory compliance on a federal, state [provincial] and local level.
Other InformationSPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Use piping and equipment adequately designed to with stand pressure to be encountered. NFPA 58 Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.10 require that all persons employed in handling LP-gases be trained in proper handling and operating procedures, which the employer shall document. Contact your propane supplier to arrange for the required training. Allow only trained and qualified persons to install and service propane containers and systems. WARNING: Be aware that with odorized propane the intensity of ethyl mercaptan stench (its odor) may fade due to chemical oxidation (in the presence of rust, air or moisture), adsorption or absorption. Some people have nasal perception problems and may not be able to smell the ethyl mercaptan stench. Leaking propane from underground gas lines may lose its odor as it passes through certain soils. While ethyl mercaptan may not impart the warning of the presence of propane in every instance, it is generally effective in a majority of situations. Familiarize yourself, your employees and customers with this warning, and other facts associated with the so-called ``odor-fade’’ phenomenon.If you do not already know all the facts, contact your propane supplier for more information about odor, electronic gas alarms and other safety considerations associated with the handling, storage and use of propane. ISSUE INFORMATIONIssue Date: January 2000 This material safety data sheet and the information it contains is offered to you in good faith as accurate. This Supplier does not manufacture this product but is a supplier of the product independently manufactured by others. Much of the information contained in this data sheet was received from sources outside our Company. To the best of our knowledge this information is accurate, but this Supplier does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Health and safety precautions in this data sheet may not be adequate for all individuals and/or situations. It is the user’s obligation to evaluate and use this product safely, comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and to assume the risks involved in the use of this product. NO WARRANTY OR MERCHANTABILTIY, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSES, OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IS TO BE IMPLIED REGARDING THE ACCURACY OF COMPLETENESS OF THIS INFORMATION, THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THIS INFORMATION OR THE PRODUCT, THE SAFETY OF THIS PRODUCT, OR THE HAZARDS RELATED TO ITS USE. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TOP
DANGER! Flammable liquefied gas under pressure. Keep away from heat, sparks, flame, and all other ignition sources. Vapor replaces oxygen available for breathing and may cause suffocation in confined spaces. Use only with adequate ventilation. Odor may not provide adequate warning of potentially hazardous concentrations. Vapor is heavier than air. Liquid can cause freeze burn similar to frostbite. Do not get liquid in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Avoid breathing of vapor. Keep container valve closed when not in use.
