Safety

What can I do to minimize risk?

Let your customers know you’re following all code recommendations and guidelines, such as keeping propane tanks away from combustible materials and protecting propane systems from vehicles. If it makes sense for your project, installing the propane tank underground minimizes exposure to weather-related issues, although they should still be strapped down in flood-prone areas. Most importantly, leave installation and repair work to the professionals. Tell your customers that trying to save money with a DIY project just isn’t worth the risk.

What can I do to minimize risk?2020-04-29T00:21:15+00:00

What happens to propane in a hurricane or flood?

In a flood scenario, it’s not the propane tank itself that’s vulnerable but its connection to a home’s gas piping. Propane tanks can float, so if they’re pulled away from a home, it could cause damage to the gas piping system. That’s why homes that are built in flood plain zones have additional code requirements for strapping down propane tanks to ensure they remain in place. Emphasize to your customers that professional propane installation is vital. The local propane provider has the required training and awareness of local codes and requirements to ensure the home’s system is installed and operates in the safest manner.

What happens to propane in a hurricane or flood?2020-04-29T00:20:56+00:00

What happens to propane in a wildfire?

Just like propane tanks won’t explode due to an impact, they’re also built with safety features to withstand short-term wildfires. Propane tanks allow plenty of room for the liquid propane inside to expand in the heat, and a grass fire won’t provide enough sustained heat to cause pressure concerns. However, in the event of prolonged heat exposure, propane tanks are also built with pressure-relief valves that will automatically activate to let out propane vapor if pressure builds up to a critical stage.

What happens to propane in a wildfire?2020-04-29T00:20:37+00:00

Do gas appliances harm indoor air quality?

As a construction pro, you’re well-versed on the need to properly ventilate gas appliances. But your customers may have concerns about gas combustion in their home. This is a great opportunity to talk about the steps you take as a professional to ensure that appliances designed to be vented are properly installed and homes are free of combustion byproducts. Direct-vent gas systems have become much more common and inexpensive in recent years, taking the hassle out of venting. In fact, we’ve compiled “8 facts about venting tankless water heaters“ to highlight a few of these venting opportunities.

Do gas appliances harm indoor air quality?2020-04-29T00:20:07+00:00

What happens if there’s a gas leak?

Your customer may not realize propane is very similar to the natural gas used more commonly in homes throughout the U.S. Homes fueled by natural gas and propane use similar equipment, and the chances of a fire caused by either type of fuel are statistically much lower than one caused by electrical equipment.

While it’s unlikely homeowners would ever encounter a problem, safety experts recommend customers consider installing both gas detectors and carbon monoxide detectors as a preventive measure. Installing these systems — which are often required by local code — can reduce the likelihood of an incident even further.

If your customer does suspect a leak, they should immediately follow these safety steps.

It’s also worth noting that in the unlikely event of a leak, propane is released in the form of a vapor, so it won’t cause a spill or contaminate soil. Fuel oil spills, on the other hand, can cause contamination of ground soil and require extremely costly emergency cleanup.

What happens if there’s a gas leak?2020-04-29T00:19:33+00:00

Is my propane tank going to explode?

Action movie special effects might leave your customer with the impression that a propane tank can explode just from an impact like a falling tree branch or being hit by a vehicle. But the truth is that propane tanks are very robustly constructed, made of heavy steel, designed to withstand collisions of all kinds, and meet all federal safety standards. Causing a propane tank to explode would be extremely difficult under any circumstances. If an action star needs to cause an explosion in real life, they’d be better off trying something else.

Is my propane tank going to explode?2020-04-29T00:18:59+00:00
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