Propane Safety For Businesses

PROPERLY INSTALL AND MAINTAIN CONNECTORS. The final section of the system that brings gas to your appliances is the appliance connector. It is important that all appliance connectors are properly inspected, installed, and maintained by a qualified service technician.

HAVE CONNECTORS CHECKED WHEN MOVING OR REPLACING APPLIANCES. Connectors can wear out from too much moving, bending, or corrosion. Connectors should be checked by a qualified service technician whenever the appliance is replaced or moved from its location.

USE ONLY APPROVED APPLIANCE CONNECTORS. Make sure that all connectors and gas piping/tubing that bring propane to your appliances are installed by a qualified service technician and approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

APPLIANCE CONNECTORS MAY NOT be run through walls, partitions, cabinets, etc.

HAVE OLDER APPLIANCE CONNECTORS INSPECTED. Over time, some types of appliance connectors can crack or break, resulting in a serious gas leak and the possibility of fire or explosion. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned that certain types of older connectors are extremely dangerous. If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, have a qualified service technician inspect the connectors to be sure they are safe and meet current safety-code requirements.

MOVEABLE APPLIANCES WITH CASTERS must be limited by a restraining device to prevent movement beyond the length of the propane connector in accordance with the connector manufacturer’s recommendations.

USE CAUTION WHEN MOVING AN APPLIANCE YOURSELF to check the connector; this might damage the connector and create a leak.

MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT. All appliances using propane must be properly maintained in order to operate safely, properly, and efficiently.

LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS. Only a qualified service technician has the proper training to install, service, maintain, and repair your appliances. Make sure you have a qualified service technician install and service your appliances.

ANNUAL INSPECTION IS IMPORTANT. Contact a qualified service technician to perform an appliance inspection.

BE SURE YOUR APPLIANCES CAN "BREATHE" PROPERLY. Regularly check the vents of your appliances to be sure that flue gases can flow easily to the outdoors. Insects, birds, and small animals sometimes build nests in vent pipes. Other obstructions such as snow or ice may also occur. If you see evidence of this, call a qualified service technician. Also, clear the area around your appliance to be sure plenty of air can reach the burner for proper combustion. Note: Not all propane appliances require venting.

NEVER store combustible materials near appliances.

WATCH FOR YELLOW FLAMES OR SOOT BUILD-UP. When appliances are operating properly, propane burns with a blue flame. If you see yellow flames, or notice significant amounts of soot on any equipment, the gas may not be burning completely. This can create carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas. Contact a qualified service technician if any of the above conditions occur.

Across the country, landscape contractors and grounds managers are discovering the competitive advantages of mowing with propane. Propane reduces harmful carbon emissions compared with conventional fuels. In many places, propane mowers can be used on ozone action days when other mowers can't. With its closed fuel system, propane saves money and protects the environment by virtually eliminating costly, harmful spills and by dramatically reducing fuel theft. Landscape contractors who have switched to propane report immediate cost savings.

Filling Cylinders - Safety Tips

• Lawn equipment cylinders should only be filled by trained personnel using proper safety procedures
• DO NOT smoke while handling propane cylinders
• If you detect a leak, shut off valves and place the cylinder outside
• If a leak develops while the container is installed on a piece of equipment, shut off the container and equipment, if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to shut down, or if the leak persists, evacuate the area and contact emergency services. Never remain in the area if propane vapors are detected.
• Contact your propane provider to repair or replace propane tank
• When not in use always close all propane valves
• Store all cylinders in safety storage racks away from any source of ignition or extreme heat
• Always read warning labels attached to propane cylinders
• Direct contact with propane will cause freeze burns to skin

Remember, propane is a hazardous material, treat it with respect!

Check out this brochure for more information on Propane-Fueled Mowers

• Forklift cylinders should only be filled by trained personnel using proper safety procedures
• DO NOT smoke while handling propane cylinders
• If you detect a leak, shut off valves and place the cylinder outside
• If a leak develops while the container is installed on a piece of equipment, shut off the container and equipment, if it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to shut down, or if the leak persists, evacuate the area and contact emergency services. Never remain in the area if propane vapors are detected.
• Contact your propane provider to repair or replace propane tank
• When not in use always close all propane valves
• Store all cylinders in safety storage racks away from any source of ignition or extreme heat
• Always read warning labels attached to propane cylinders
• Direct contact with propane will cause freeze burns to skin

Remember, propane is a hazardous material, treat it with respect!

Motor Fuel Cylinder Storage

Forklift Cylinder Guide

Informing customers about cylinder and container safety is an important responsibility for the propane dispenser operator. Operators should make sure that all customers understand how to transport cylinders safely. Important safety tips for your customers include:

• Always transport and store a cylinder in a secure and upright position so it will not fall, shift, or roll
• Never keep a filled cylinder inside a hot vehicle
• Always proceed directly to your destination and immediately remove the cylinder from your vehicle

Static Discharge Prevention Quick Tips

All employees should be aware of the potential danger of unwanted static electricity at the dispensing location. In the right conditions static discharge or spark may cause the ignition of some fuels, including gasoline and propane. In order to reduce the risk of ignition from static discharge, identify where Static Discharge Control Areas are and where static electricity may be coming from. This is typically any area where propane vapor may be present.

If you are working in or near a Static Discharge Control Area, there are a few simple measures you can take to limit your chances of producing a static spark:

• Wear static-safe footwear or temporary foot grounders
• Wear cotton and cotton blends as they will generate less static electricity than most synthetics and polyester materials
• Never put on or remove garments inside a Static Discharge Control Area
• Remove all plastics and other synthetic materials from the area
• Make sure all your equipment is properly grounded

• Limit access to the area to only those people necessary to conduct normal business activities

Filling Cylinders - Safety Tips

Before filling a cylinder, make sure you are aware of the following information regarding safety and handling procedures:

• Know your facility's fire prevention and emergency evacuation plans, including where and how to operate emergency shutdown and pump controls. Locate the nearest fire extinguishers and make sure they are in proper working condition. Only use fire extinguishers to create an escape route—not to fight a propane fire. The only safe way to extinguish a propane fire is by stopping the flow of propane.
• Before operating a filling station, ensure there are no ignition sources within 25 feet of the points of transfer, or metal-working operations including grinding, oxygen-fuel gas cutting, brazing, soldering, or welding within 35 feet.
• Be sure that valves are protected properly with a valve cap or protective collar, and always use proper cylinder handling techniques. The Overfilling Prevention Device (OPD) should never be used for determining if a cylinder is full. The OPD will not always stop the flow of propane into the cylinder at the proper fill amount.
• When filling a cylinder, always follow the training materials provided to you by your Propane provider, and please contact your Propane provider if you require replacement training materials.
• Never fill a cylinder without wearing all appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
• Never allow your employee or anyone else to operate the dispenser without first ensuring that they have been properly trained in safely operating the dispenser and inspecting and filling cylinders.
• Never allow customers, spectators, or individuals not involved in the dispensing process within 10’ of the point of transfer. This is the point where the cylinder connects to the hose.

To review a Point of Transfer Diagram, click here to download.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES try to modify or repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder/tank parts. Doing so creates the risk of a gas leak.

CALL AN EXPERT. If you are unable to operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not operating properly, call your propane retailer or a qualified service technician. They can inspect, adjust, repair, or replace any part of your propane system.

YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED FOR SAFETY. Propane cylinders, tanks, and appliances incorporate special components (such as valves, connectors, controls, burners, and pilot lights) to keep them safe for use. Damaging these components can cause gas leaks.

Temporary heating equipment powered with propane is portable and widely used in a variety of industries. Builders, manufacturers, exterminators, emergency management and more utilize propane to fuel temporary heating units. Various cylinder sizes and bulk tank storage can be used to fuel temporary heating equipment. Heaters must be designed for use with LP Gas and AGA, UL, or CGA approved.

Temp Heat Safety Tips:

• The maximum size container to be used inside a building is a 100 lb. cylinder.
• Cylinders are to be used, stored, and moved in an upright position.
• Cylinders should never be lifted or carried by the valve.
• Cylinder valves must be protected by caps or collars.
• Cylinder valve outlets on containers less than 45 lbs. must be plugged or capped.
• Cylinders must be equipped with an excess flow valve or POL adapter that connects the regulator to the container valve to ensure there is excess flow protection.
• LP Gas hose must have a working pressure of at least 350 p.s.i.g.
• Tubing, hose, and valves, must be protected from excessive heat, physical damage, or tampering.
• Heater / hose separation must be no less than 6 ft.
• Hose connections and fittings should be checked with a non-corrosive leak detector solution.
• Regulators should be suitable for the type of LP Gas service it is intended to be used.