As a company that supplies propane to thousands of Americans, safety is a top priority. It always has been, and always will be. Each and every dayour dedicated and prepared employees strive to beentirelyaware ofthe wellbeing and safety to all. In our books, you, our customers, and our employees'own safety is No. 1. Plain and simple.
That’s precisely why we want to inform you aboutany safety risks regarding the use of propane. One safety concern that may come about is an overfilled propane tank.Although the chances of your propane tank being overfilled are rare, it is a possibility. It’s doesn’t happen often due to the National Fire Protection Association in 1998 requiringDOT cylinders, grill tanks included, to have an overfilled protection device (OPD). If you’re wondering what anOPD looks like, you’ve likely seen and usedit many times. It’s the triangularhandle that you use to turn the gas on and off.
Fromunderstanding whywe’ll never fill 100% of your propane tankto knowing thedos and don’ts of grilling, Ferrellgas and Blue Rhino are committed toproviding peace of mind for all customers. That includes the importance ofknowingwhat to dowhen safety precautions are necessary when dealing with propane. Our employeesundergo rigorous training on how to fill tanks, and, per federal guidelines, they’re instructed to only filltanksto 80% capacityto allow propane to expand when external temperatures rise. The hotter it is outside; the more propane expands to fill the extra 20%.
In rare instances, yes.The first sign thata propane tank isoverfilledcomes in the form of smell. An overwhelming smell of propane gas, or mercaptan, which is added to the odorless propane, means that propanecould be escaping the tank.If true, a vapor stream of liquid propanewill come out of the tank, and, if not handled properly, it can be a safety and fire hazard.
There are a couple other signs that your tank could be overfilled:
- Your relief valve is released, and the sound of propane shoots out of the tank
- If your gauge is high after the tank is filled
When a propane tank is filled properly, propane releases a quick spurt when the connection is released. Sometimes, too, no spurt will be heard. So, yes,a propane tank can be overfilled, which makes it important to knowthe risks and how to handle thesituation.
The ultimate risk, and downright worst-case scenario, is an explosion. It can certainly happen, which is why it’s important to be aware ofhow to act. An explosion is usually the result of improper handling of propane.Also, a note:Itis not advisable to drain an overfilled propane tank.
If thishappens to you, you’ll first want to clear the area and make sure there are no ignition sources nearby, which could result in explosion or open fire.
Next,callyour propane specialistsandwe’llhelpyou withnext steps. Your local propane pros are trained to swiftly diffuse these situations. Quite simply, it’s our job to protect you.
When you let Ferrellgas help you Fuel Life Simply,you’re working with the very best and most trustworthy propane professionalsin the industry. There’seight decades of history to back that up. And when it comes to safety, we'll always have your back.
