Propane

Lighting Pilot Lights

  • Spend a Few Moments for Your Family’s Safety

    This module provides basic information about pilot lights and your propane system. Following these instructions will help ensure the safety of you and your family.

    Click the Next button to move to the next screen.

  • What Is a Pilot Light?

    • Many propane appliances may have a pilot light – a small, constantly burning flame inside the appliance.
    • Appliances without a pilot light often have electronic ignition instead.
    • If your appliance has a pilot light, it is an important safety feature. The pilot light ignites the main burner when needed.

  • When a Pilot Light Goes Out

    A pilot light that repeatedly goes out – or is very difficult to light – may be signaling that there is a problem with the appliance or with your propane system.

    If this occurs, DO NOT try to fix the problem yourself. Contact a qualified service technician to evaluate the appliance. Accidents and serious injuries can occur when customers attempt to fix a pilot light problem on their own.

    IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN LIGHT ANY PILOT LIGHT THAT HAS GONE OUT.

  • When a Pilot Light Goes Out

    • If you light a pilot light yourself, you are taking the risk of starting a fire or an explosion.
    • Many serious injuries occur when people attempt to light pilot lights.
    • Proceed with great caution and be sure to follow these rules...

  • If you light a pilot light yourself, you are taking the risk of starting a fire or an explosion. Proceed with great caution and be sure to follow these rules…

    • Carefully follow all of the manufacture’s instructions and warnings concerning the appliance.
    • If the appliance is in a basement or closed room, thoroughly ventilate the area before lighting the pilot.
    • Be especially alert for the smell of propane. Sniff at floor level before lighting a pilot.
    • IF YOU SMELL GAS, DO NOT LIGHT THE PILOT LIGHT.

  • If you light a pilot light yourself, you are taking the risk of starting a fire or an explosion. Proceed with great caution and be sure to follow these rules…

    • DO NOT smoke or have any source of ignition (such as flames or spark-producing materials) in the area before lighting the pilot.
    • DO NOT allow any extra or unnecessary people (especially children) to remain in the room or area of the building where you are lighting a pilot.
    • DO NOT try to light pilot lights in any area where other odors may make it difficult for you to detect the smell of a propane leak.
    • DO NOT light the pilot if a musty or damp smell persists. These conditions can possibly mask the smell of propane.

  • If you light a pilot light yourself, you are taking the risk of starting a fire or an explosion. Proceed with great caution and be sure to follow these rules…

    • DO NOT apply force or use tools on the pilot light or its control. This could cause damage that leads to gas leakage. Use only your hand sto operate knobs, switches, or buttons.
    • DO NOT attempt to let air out of gas lines by opening a valve or fitting inside a building or enclosed space. You may release gas and not be able to smell it.
    • DO NOT apply oil to a sticky knob or button on a gas control valve. Oil can cause the control valve mechanism to stick and malfunction.

  • If you smell gas, at any time, inside or outside your home:

    • 1. NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
    • 2. LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
    • 3. SHUT OFF THE GAS! Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).

  • If you smell gas, at any time, inside or outside your home:

    • Continued
    • 4. REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
    • 5. DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer, emergency responder, or a qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.
    • 6. GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

  • What Have You Learned?

    Choose the correct answer.

    What does a pilot light do?

  • What Have You Learned?

    Read each statement below. Decide if the statement is true or false.

    True False
    A pilot light is a small, constantly burning flame inside an appliance.
    A pilot light that goes out repeatedly is a common problem and should not be cause for concern.
    Attempting to light a pilot light yourself can lead to an accident or serious injury.
    If the appliance is in a basement or closed room, thoroughly ventilate the area before lighting the pilot.
    If you smell gas, you should not light a pilot light.

  • DOs and DON’Ts

    Read each statement below. Click the appropriate check box to indicate if this is something you should DO or should NOT DO when lighting a pilot light.

    Do Don’t
    Carefully follow all manufacturer instructions and warnings concerning the appliance.
    Bring a lit cigarette into the area before lighting the pilot.
    Require children and any extra people leave the room or area of the building where you are lighting a pilot.
    Sniff around for the odor of propane at floor level before lighting a pilot.

  • DOs and DON’Ts

    Read each statement below. Click the appropriate check box to indicate if this is something you should DO or should NOT DO when lighting a pilot light.

    Do Don’t
    Light a pilot light in an area with strong odors (e.g., smoke, cooking odors, mustiness).
    Use a tool on knobs, switches, or buttons on the pilot light or its control.
    Open a valve or fitting to let air out of the gas line.
    Apply oil to loosen a sticky knob or button on a gas control valve.

  • Make Time for Safety

    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

  • Thank you for completing the e-Learning Module: Lighting Pilot Lights

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