Nothing tastes quite as good as food cooked on the grill in the summer months! Some are purists who believe that only food cooked over hot coals qualifies as “barbequed,” but for many of us, the convenience of a gas grill is hard to beat. However, it’s important to remember that the propane tank in your trusty grill needs to be regularly maintained and properly stored in order to ensure a safe grilling season for you and your family. Here are our top tips for making sure that your summer cookout never results in fire damage to your home or other buildings that might result in a loss of personal property requiring the help of a fire restoration company.
- Keep it outside. Propane is a highly flammable gas. If you store a tank in your garage and it has even the smallest leak, the spark of starting a car or lawn mower could cause a fire that results in a need for fire damage restoration.
- Keep it in the shade. While your tank should not be stored indoors, it should also not be stored in direct sunlight. On a hot sunny day, the temperature of a tank that’s not properly stored could quickly go above 120°F. The hotter your tank gets, the greater the pressure will be inside the tank. Portable propane tanks are equipped with a relief valve that activates when internal pressure builds up. Once the valve releases, the gas will slowly dissipate through the valve into the air and could ignite.
- Keep it upright. If the valve on the top of the tank is at all compromised, gas can leak out if the tank is left on its side for any length of time. Keeping your tank stored in a safe place where it won’t get knocked over will help ensure that spilled gas won’t accidentally ignite, causing fire damage to your home that might require the services of a fire restoration company.
- Store at a safe distance. If you have backup tanks, don’t store them adjacent to each other or right next to the grill. A distance of at least ten feet should be maintained between propane tanks as well as any other potentially flammable or spark-causing object.
- Keep the valve closed. Make sure the valve is tightly closed when you’re not using the grill. It’s always best to close the valve first and then turn the burners off, to allow excess gas to clear the lines. If you smell gas when you approach your grill, don’t use it until you’ve had your tank checked.
- Don’t use a damaged tank. If your tank has dents, peeling paint or rust, don’t use it. The integrity of the tank may be compromised, and gas could potentially be leaking. Take care when you’re transporting your tanks to and from the store. They should be kept upright and stable. By placing them in crates, they won’t roll around or collide.
Fire safety, both indoors and outdoors, is a priority in every season. Your entire family should be familiar with fire safety practices and know what to do in the case of an unexpected fire. And, it only takes a few minutes to implement these quick fire safety tips to ensure that your summer cookout season is filled with only happy memories of delicious food, great company and family fun. Happy grilling!
About Hays + Sons
For more than 38 years, Hays + Sons has been the property restoration company that families, businesses and schools trust. We’re committed to helping you be prepared when the unexpected strikes, and whether you just want tips for fire and smoke damage prevention or currently have fire damage, Hays + Sons has the capacity and expertise to help you get back to normal ASAP.
The compassionate, experienced, and trusted residential restoration experts at Hays + Sons are just a phone call away, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
If you’re in need of fire damage restoration, get in touch with us at one of our offices across Indiana or in Cincinnati, Ohio.
FAQs
Propane cylinders should be stored in a manner similar to that of a large residential propane tank. They should sit on a level fireproof surface with the surrounding area clear of debris, tall grass or other combustible material.
How to protect a propane tank from fire? ›
Propane cylinders should be stored in a manner similar to that of a large residential propane tank. They should sit on a level fireproof surface with the surrounding area clear of debris, tall grass or other combustible material.
How do I keep my propane tank safe? ›
Keep your tank above −40 °F (−40 °C) in cold months. As the temperature drops, the pressure in your tank will decrease. During cold months, make sure the propane tank is in a sunlit area so that it can absorb radiant heat every day. During summer, avoid exposing your tank to temperatures above 120 °F (49 °C).
How to avoid propane tank explosion? ›
Gas hoses should always be clear of areas where hot, dripping grease can land. Never bring a propane tank into a living area. Be sure the ignitor is producing a spark consistently over time. Problems with the ignitor can lead to a build-up of gas that will ignite and explode when the ignitor begins functioning again.
What are the safety features of a propane tank? ›
A propane tank has three safety valves, or components: a service valve, a regulator, and a safety relief valve. These key components are discussed below. Your knowledge of proper propane tank safety can protect you and your family in the case of an unexpected natural disaster or potential leak.
What would cause a propane tank to catch fire? ›
Even with the many safety features built into propane tanks, fires and explosions still occur, resulting in personal injury and damage to property that can be catastrophic. Common causes for these incidents include: Leaky supply lines or connections. Faulty or leaking valves.
What causes propane tanks to catch fire? ›
Leaking Gas: If there is a leak in the propane tank or associated fittings, the released gas can accumulate in an enclosed space and ignite, leading to an explosion. Fire or Heat Exposure: Exposing a propane tank to an open flame, excessive heat, or a nearby fire can lead to the tank's rupture and explosion.
How to safely store propane tanks at home? ›
Storage
- Keep propane cylinders outside. Never keep them indoors or in an enclosed area, such as a garage, shed or basem*nt.
- Keep them in a cool place. Do not expose cylinders to heat above 120 degrees. ...
- Keep propane cylinders away from flames. That includes smoking or using spark-producing tools.
DON'T store propane tanks indoors or in a garage, basem*nt, carport, shed, sunporch, or carport.
- DO keep propane tanks away from flames and spark-producing tools.
- DON'T store your backup grill tank near the grill.
Keep in mind that propane tanks should not be stored in a shed, garage, basem*nt or attic, or brought indoors for any reason – they should only be stored in a dry, open, well-ventilated area outdoors. It is only safe to store your propane tank inside if it has been completely emptied of propane.
A temperature below 120 Fahrenheit is safe, it does not cause an explosion. If it reaches above 120 Fahrenheit there are high chances that an explosion will occur. If the car temperature crosses the limit, keeping a propane tank for a long time can cause an explosion. Follow recommendations from near propane services.
Can propane tanks explode if dropped? ›
No, the steel they are made out of is very thick. It would have to be dropped from a very high height to rupture the tank, even if it did, the gas leaking out would still need a source of ignition to lite it. Simply releasing the gas wouldn't cause it to explode.
Are empty propane tanks explosive? ›
The risk is almost inexistant, for air to get in the tank, you would need a higher pressure than in the tank if it is the case. this means the tank is empty, so no explosion is possible. We need a sizable amount of gas and also have oxygen to get an explosion, about the only way to happen is to have the t...
What are the 2 hazards of propane? ›
As for natural gas, propane is non-toxic. However, it presents a possible inhalation hazard if released in a confined space, as it displaces oxygen and acts as a simple asphyxiate. Liquid propane is an effective refrigerant. It rapidly absorbs heat from the skin and can cause severe burns to the body.
Can propane tanks overheat in the sun? ›
Yes, they can. On a warm summer day, temperatures can rise quickly. As the propane tank gets hotter, the pressure inside the tank will increase. Although portable propane tanks are equipped with safety relief valves designed to release pressure build-up, the smartest place to store a tank is out of direct sunlight.
Where to store a propane tank in summer? ›
The best place to store a propane tank for the summer is outside in a dry place and on an even surface with plenty of ventilation.
Can a propane tank withstand a fire? ›
The potential for an explosion increases with time with distance. Enough heat exposure, long enough, and close enough, can cause the tank to rupture. During a wildfire or structure fire, propane tanks will only blow with direct flame impingement that is long enough to heat the tank cherry red and rupture the tank.
Is it safe to cover a propane tank? ›
No matter how far you place the walls of the enclosure from the tank, it is never okay to enclose your propane tank. Don't place it in a fully enclosed fence, box, crate, or other device designed to hide a propane tank. These methods restrict ventilation of propane fumes and pose a safety hazard.
How hot is too hot for a propane tank? ›
DO store propane tanks in a cooler place, out of direct sunlight. DON'T expose propane tanks to heat over 120˚ Fahrenheit. It may cause a leak or, worse, combustion.
