Consumer Safety
Propane is a flammable gas and could cause fires or explosions. It’s heavier than air and collects initially at low levels, so it’s important to always be sensitive to the slightest propane gas odor. Any propane gas odor might be the sign of a serious leak. Investigate all strange gas-like odors. What you think may be trash, sewage or a dead rodent may be a serious propane gas leak.
You can’t always count on smelling it. In fact, you may not smell a gas leak, so Sanner Oil suggests you install a propane gas detector in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Some people - -especially the elderly- cannot detect the smell of gas. Colds, allergies, sinus congestion and the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs may also diminish your sense of smell.
Cooking odors or other strong odors may also cover the smell of gas. On rare occasions, propane gas may lose its distinctive odor, and this is called "odor fade." Air, water or rust in a propane tank or cylinder may weaken the gas odor, especially if valves were left open after the container was emptied.
Propane gas can also lose its odor if an underground leak occurs. Odorant in leaking gas can stick to building materials and to the inside walls of gas piping and static or periodically used propane storage containers and distribution systems.
Here are some emergency tips to remember if you smell propane gas:
1. Extinguish smoking materials or other open flames.
2. Don’t operate electric switches, strike matches, or use your phone.
A spark or flame in the area where propane gas is present may ignite the
gas.
3. Immediately get everyone out of the building, vehicle, RV trailer or
area.
4. Close all gas tank or cylinder supply valves.
5. Don’t re-enter the area. Use a neighbor's phone and call a trained
propane service person and the fire department. Even though you may not
continue to smell gas, don’t turn the gas on again
6. Let the service person and the firefighters check for propane gas leaks.
Have them air out the area before you return.
7. Have properly trained propane service people repair any leak, then check
and relight all gas appliances for you.
Do not try to judge for yourself the danger level of a gas leak by trying to determine if the smell of gas is weak or strong. All gas leaks can pose a serious risk.
Pilot outages could be the sign of a hazardous condition. Don't attempt to re-light the pilot or service the equipment. Call Sanner Oil for professional service, or for instructions.
Before lighting a propane gas appliance, sniff around the area at floor level. If you smell gas, don't light the appliance. If your appliance has been flooded, shut off the gas immediately at the tank. Don’t use your gas system again until the wet or flooded equipment has been checked and serviced.
Improperly vented or defective appliances cause potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. Have your propane systems and appliances periodically inspected by Sanner Oil.
Don't tamper with or use tools to operate controls. If controls are difficult to operate by hand, call your propane dealer immediately.
Keep combustible products, like gasoline, kerosene or cleaners in a separate room from propane appliances. Your appliance pilot lights could ignite fumes from these combustibles. Don't operate any propane gas appliance without reading the instructions carefully.
Some people mistakenly believe that the smell of propane gas is a signal that their tank is nearly empty and should be refilled. When a tank is low you may get a momentary whiff of gassy smell when stovetop burners are ignited.
However, if the smell of gas lasts more than an instant, the continuing gas odor means you may have a serious propane gas leak.
Any persistent gassy smell is your signal to TAKE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY ACTION.
For more detailed information, contact Sanner Oil Company
| If you detect a gas leak, immediately evacuate everyone from the house and call us at 1-888-664-6592 or the fire department from a neighbor's telephone. |