This module provides basic information about propane safety. Please share this information with your family. It’s important that everyone in your family understands how to use propane safely.
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In its natural form, propane is colorless and odorless.
Manufacturers deliberately add a chemical compound to give it a strong unpleasant smell. This helps alert customers to propane leaks, which can create a safety hazard.
The odorized propane smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal.
Teach everyone in your home or building what propane smells like. Ask your propane retailer for a demonstration.
Propane smells like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufacturers add this smell to help alert customers to propane leaks.
Make sure everyone in your family can recognize the smell of propane.
Some people may have difficulty smelling propane. For example, some older people have a less sensitive sense of smell. Certain medical conditions, or the effects of medication, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs can make it more difficult to smell propane.
Consider purchasing a propane gas detector as an additional measure of security.
Odor loss is an unintentional reduction in the concentration of the odor of propane. This makes it more difficult to smell.
Although rare, this can be caused by the presence of rust on the inside walls of the tank or cylinder. This can happen when air and moisture get inside an empty tank or cylinder that has its valve open.
Propane gas detectors are designed to sound an alarm if they sense the presence of propane. Their operation does not depend on the concentration of odorant in the air, just the propane concentration at the detector.
We recommend that you consider installing one or more propane gas detectors. This is important if you or others in your home have difficulty smelling propane, or if appliances are in little-used areas in your home where the smell of propane might not be detected. Detectors can provide an additional measure of security.
Propane is flammable when mixed with air (oxygen) and can be ignited by many sources, including open flames, smoking materials, electrical sparks, and static electricity.
Propane vapors are heavier than air. For this reason, they may accumulate in low-lying areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and ditches, or along floors. However, air currents can sometimes carry propane vapors elsewhere within a building.
Read each statement below. Decide if the statement is true or false.
True | False | |
---|---|---|
Propane is sometimes called LP gas. | ||
Propane can pollute and contaminate ground water. | ||
Manufacturers add a strong, unpleasant smell to propane. This smell alerts customers to propane leaks. | ||
If you have a propane gas detector installed, you don’t need a service technician to inspect your propane system. | ||
Propane vapors may accumulate in low-lying areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and along floors. |
Thank you for making time for propane safety. To learn more, download our brochure ‘Propane Safety for You and Your Family’ or visit: propane.com