Propane

Can You Smell It?

  • Keep Your Family Safe

    This module provides basic information about recognizing the smell of propane gas and odor loss. Following these instructions will help ensure the safety of you and your family.

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  • Recognizing the Smell of Propane

    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.

    Take the Sniff Test

    Teach everyone in your home or building what propane smells like. Ask your propane retailer for a demonstration.

  • Can you smell it?

    It may be hard for some people to smell propane for the following reasons:

    • They have a cold, allergies, sinus congestion, or another medical condition.
    • Their sense of smell is reduced due to use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
    • As people age, their sense of smell can become less sensitive.
    • If the smell of propane is present in the air over a period of time, odor fatigue can occur. The nose “gets tired,” and a person no longer smells the propane odor.

  • Can you smell it?

    Other factors may also reduce your ability to smell propane:

    • Tobacco smoke, cooking odors, and other strong odors can mask the smell of propane.
    • The propane smell may not be strong enough to wake up someone who is sleeping.
    • The propane smell may be in a location, such as a basement or attic, where it is not detected by people in other areas of the building.
    • Odor loss can occur – an unintended reduction in the concentration of propane odor.

  • Instances of Odor Loss

    On rare occasions, propane can lose its odor. Several things can cause this, including:

    • Air and moisture can sometimes cause rust to form on the inside walls of a tank or cylinder, reducing the odor concentration.
    • If the propane is leaking underground, its passage through some types of soil may reduce the odor of propane.
    • The propane odor may stick to the inside surfaces of gas piping distribution systems and other materials.

  • Since there is a possibility of odor loss or problems with your sense of smell, you should respond immediately to even a faint odor of gas.

  • Propane Gas Detectors Can Improve Safety

    • If you are concerned that you or others in your home may have difficulty smelling propane, consider installing one or more propane gas detectors.
    • Propane gas detectors sound an alarm if they sense the presence of propane. 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, gas detectors can provide an additional measure of security.

  • Propane Gas Detectors

    • Detector Quality Is Important
      Be sure the units you buy are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). To be sure propane gas detectors operate properly, install and maintain them as the manufacturer recommends.
    • Trust Your Nose
      Never ignore the smell of propane, even if no detector is sounding an alarm to signal the presence of propane. However, if a detector is sounding an alarm, treat it as an emergency and act immediately, even if you do not smell the propane.
    • Check Your Propane System
      Even if you install gas detectors, have a qualified service technician inspect your propane system and propane appliances periodically.

  • 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.

    Propane manufacturers deliberately add a strong, unpleasant odor to propane because in its natural form…

  • What Have You Learned?

    Choose the correct answer.

    Some people may have difficulty smelling propane because:

  • What Have You Learned?

    Choose the correct answer.

    If you smell gas, which of the following should you NOT do?

  • 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: Can You Smell It?

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