Safety Tips

Propane smells like rotten eggs, skunk’s spray, a dead animal, or garbage. Some people may have difficulty smelling propane. Causes may include age (older people may have a less sensitive sense of smell); medical conditions; such as colds, allergies, or sinus congestion; the effects of medication; alcohol, tobacco, or drugs; tobacco smoke, cooking odors, musty or damp smells, and other strong odors. Consider purchasing a propane gas detector as an additional measure of security.

A propane smell may not wake up someone who is sleeping. It may also be in the area of the building where it may not be detected, such as a basement, attic or garage.

ODOR LOSS is an unintended reduction in the concentration of the odor of propane, making it more difficult to smell. Situations that can cause odor loss include the presence of air, water or rust in a propane tank or cylinder; passage of leaking propane through soil; or the exposure to building materials, masonry or fabrics.

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.

To learn what propane smells like, customers unfamiliar with that smell should call Suburban’s Safety Information Request Center 1-888-223-0029 and order the pamphlets called “Important Propane Safety Information for You and Your Family” and/or an expansive “Propane Safety” booklet to obtain a Scratch and Sniff Test, free of charge.

Under some circumstances, you might not smell a gas leak. Propane gas detectors are designed to sound an alarm if they sense propane in the air, even if the odorant cannot be detected. Suburban Propane recommends the installation of UL-listed propane gas detectors in basements and where recommended by the manufacturer to provide an additional warning of the presence of propane. They can provide an additional measure of security in structures with little-used areas and for individuals who have difficulty smelling propane.

GUIDELINES regarding propane gas detectors:

• Buy only units that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation, use, and maintenance
• If a detector is sounding an alarm, treat it as an emergency and act immediately, even if you do not smell propane
• Never ignore the smell of propane, even if no detector is sounding an alarm

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)? You can’t taste or smell CO, but it is a very dangerous gas, produced when any fuel burns. High levels of CO can come from appliances that are not operating correctly, or from a venting system or chimney that becomes blocked.

CO CAN BE DEADLY! High levels of CO can make you dizzy or sick (see below). In extreme cases, CO can cause brain damage or death.

SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING INCLUDE:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Nausea

IF YOU SUSPECT CO IS PRESENT, ACT IMMEDIATELY!

1. Get everyone out of the building and call 911 or your local fire department.
2. If it is safe to do so, open windows to allow entry of fresh air, and turn off any appliances you suspect may be releasing CO.

TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CO POISONING:

• Have a qualified professional check your propane system appliances and related venting systems annually, preferably before heating season begins.
• Suburban recommends the installation, use and maintenance of UL-listed carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• Keep chimneys, flues and vents free of snow, ice and debris such as leaves and animal nests.
• Never use a gas oven or range-top burners to provide space heating.
• Never use portable heaters indoors unless they are designed and approved for indoor use.
• Never use a barbecue grill (propane or charcoal) indoors for cooking or heating.
• Regularly check your appliance exhaust vents for blockage.
• Always open the chimney flue damper when you use your fireplace.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instruction for placement and use of vent-free appliances, including fireplaces and logs.
• Never run an internal combustion engine such a car, lawn mower, generator or snow blower in enclosed areas like a garage.

SIGNS OF IMPROPER APPLIANCE OPERATION THAT CAN GENERATE HIGH CO LEVELS:

• Sooting, especially on appliance and vents
• Unfamiliar burning odor
• Increased moisture inside of windows
• Yellow flames

IF A PILOT LIGHT REPEATEDLY GOES OUT or is very difficult to light, there may be a safety problem. DO NOT try to fix the problem yourself. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that only a QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL light any pilot light that has gone out.

YOU ARE TAKING THE RISK of starting a fire or an explosion if you light a pilot light yourself.

LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS. Only a qualified professional has the training to install, connect, disconnect, inspect, service, maintain, and repair propane equipment and piping. Have your appliances and propane system inspected just before the start of each heating season.

HELP YOUR APPLIANCES “BREATHE.” Check the vents of your appliances to be sure that flue gases can flow easily to the outdoors; clear away any insect or bird nests or other debris. Also, clear the area around your appliances so plenty of air can reach the burner for proper combustion.

DO NOT TRY TO INSTALL, MODIFY OR REPAIR valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliance and cylinder/tank parts. Doing so creates the risk of a gas leak that can result in property damage, serious injury, or death.

HAVE OLDER APPLIANCE CONNECTORS INSPECTED. Certain older appliance connectors may crack or break, causing a gas leak. If you have an older appliance, have a qualified professional inspect the connector. Do not do this yourself, as movement of the appliance might damage the connector and cause a leak.

FLAMMABLE VAPORS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. A pilot light on your propane appliance can ignite vapors from gasoline, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids. Be sure to store and use flammable liquids outdoors or in an area of the building containing no propane appliances.

DON’T RISK IT! If you cannot operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not working properly, call your propane retailer or qualified professional for assistance.

GAS CAN LEAK THROUGH AN OPEN GAS LINE. If you disconnect an appliance from a gas line or are otherwise aware of an open gas line, be sure to contact your propane retailer or a qualified professional to close, cap or plug the open gas line.

DON’T RUN OUT OF GAS. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, INCLUDING FIRE OR EXPLOSION
CAN RESULT.

• If your propane tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out. This can be extremely dangerous.
• A LEAK CHECK IS REQUIRED. Many states require the propane system to be checked for leaks before turning on the gas. Contact your propane retailer or a qualified professional to perform a leak check and turn on the gas.

Never turn the gas on at your propane tank. Contact your propane retailer or a qualified professional to check for leaks, turn on the gas, and to re-light pilot lights on the appliances.

KNOW HOW TO SHUT OFF YOUR GAS SUPPLY. Know where the gas supply shutoff valve to your premises is located. Tank and cylinder valves must be turned to the right (in a clockwise direction) to stop the flow of gas.

MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS. All new appliances will come with an owner’s manual and manufacturer’s instructions. Keep and consult them for correct operating and maintenance procedures. Contact the appliance manufacturer for replacement instructions, if needed.

KNOW WHERE UNDERGROUND GAS LINES AND TANKS ARE LOCATED to avoid damaging them when digging or working on your premises. Notify your propane supplier before you dig. Contact your State’s “Call Before You Dig or One Call” – by dialing 811.

DO NOT STORE PROPANE CYLINDERS OR CONTAINERS INSIDE BUILDINGS.

MAKE SURE REGULATOR REMAINS PROTECTED so operation will not be affected by the elements (rain, sleet, snow, ice, mud, debris). Regulator vent should be pointed down and be checked regularly.

MAKE SURE BUILDING OPENINGS ARE NOT CREATED AND SOURCES OF IGNITION ARE NOT SITUATED WITHIN THE AREA OF PROPANE TANKS, REGULATORS, METERS AND OTHER PROPANE EQUIPMENT IN THE SYSTEM.

REVIEW MANUFACTURERS’ WARNINGS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT www.suburbanpropane.com REGARDING CORRUGATED STAINLESS STEEL TUBING (CSST), which is a flexible pipe used to supply gas in homes and buildings. A nearby lightning strike can create holes and/or damage CSST. This can result in a gas leak and potentially cause a fire or explosion. Proper grounding and bonding of CSST can reduce the risk of a fire or explosion.

MAKE SURE ALL PROPANE PIPING IS PROPERLY BONDED AND GROUNDED. Contact a licensed electrician for more information.

FLOODING – If a flood is predicted for your area or your gas-fired appliance(s) or equipment has been submerged due to flooding:

• Turn off the gas valve at the container or cylinder.
• DO NOT turn the gas back on until a qualified professional has checked the system.

HEAVY SNOW OR ICE – Heavy accumulations of snow or ice falling from roof eaves on regulators, piping, tubing and valves may cause damage that could result in a gas leak. Regulator vents must remain clear of snow and ice to operate properly. Check the regulator vents on the propane system to be sure they are free of condensation, which if frozen, could cause a malfunction. If a regulator vent is clogged with ice or snow, contact Suburban immediately. Appliance vents, chimneys and flues must be kept clear of snow and ice so appliances may vent properly, especially on roofs of mobile homes. For installations in areas of heavy snowfall, arrange for the protection of piping, regulators, meters and other equipment installed in the piping system from the forces of accumulated snow or ice. A protective cover or structure may be an appropriate form of protection in some circumstances, and is required in some jurisdictions. Contact your local building or fire official for guidance. When removing snow:

• Use care around tanks, piping, tubing, valves, regulators and other equipment to prevent damage.
• Use a broom instead of a shovel.
• Do not shovel snow from roofs onto propane equipment. The weight could damage propane
  equipment causing a leak.

Provide structurally sound access to propane equipment free from snow, ice, debris or other obstructions.

We urge you to visit www.suburbanpropane.com for Consumer Safety Information prepared by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Pamphlets called “Important Propane Safety Information for You and Your Family,” “Important Propane Safety Information for Users of Small Cylinders” (including cylinder transportation, storage and inspection procedures), an expansive “Propane Safety” booklet, Carbon Monoxide Safety Information, weather/natural disaster information, and a Propane Safety Data Sheet (SDS) may be read and downloaded online. These documents are also available free of charge by calling Suburban at 1-888-223-0029.