Propane tank valve being closed
With summer coming soon, everyone will be filling their propane tanks for barbecues, fire pits, and summer R.V. adventures. But did you know that improperly stored propane tanks can put your summer fun at risk and cause dangerous accidents?
Learning proper propane tank storage will ensure that you enjoy the benefits of this versatile gas while keeping yourself and your family safe.
Keep reading our short guide to propane safety and learn everything you need to know!
Store Your Propane Tanks Outdoors
Ventilation is perhaps the most important tip for storing propane safely. Propane tanks avoid pressure buildup by releasing small amounts of propane into the air if they need to. If you are storing your propane tank in an enclosed space the small amounts of propane could build up in the air and create a dangerous situation.
Propane stored indoors or in enclosed areas can build up and, if heated or exposed to flames or sparks, it can ignite. The buildup of propane indoors or in enclosed areas can also create a potential for someone to breathe the propane fumes, and while non-toxic the propane fumes can cause suffocation.
While it’s best to store your tanks outside, make sure that you store them safely away from moisture and direct sun. If your propane tank gets wet it may begin to rust, and a rusty tank is unsafe. If you have a damaged or rusty propane tank, it’s best to get a replacement from a professional propane provider like Conklin propane tank service.
Keep Your Propane Away From Heat Sources
Make sure to keep your propane away from heat, anything that could cause a spark, and out of direct sunlight. Propane is a combustible gas and if it gets too hot the gas will expand and begin to release for the safety of the tank. When the gas that is released is exposed to sparks, flame, or extreme heat it can cause the gas to ignite.
If you have a large outdoor propane tank your propane service will have made sure that it was placed in a safe place. However, you should still ensure that you never allow heat sources, flames, or sparks near your tank.
Always Store Your Propane Tanks Upright
Propane tanks need to be stored upright at all times for the pressure gauge to work properly. The pressure gauge on your propane tank makes sure that there is always the right amount of pressure inside the tank to keep things safe. When it senses there’s too much pressure it allows the valve to release small amounts of gas into the air.
If you have your tank lying on its side the pressure gauge won’t get an accurate reading of how much propane is in the tank. Inaccurate readings could lead to a build-up of the pressure in your tank that could damage the release valve.
Storing a tank on its side could also lead to a situation where your release valve opens to let off the pressure and because it’s not upright the gas released leaks out in liquid form instead of as a gas. If that happens the amount of propane released will have been much larger and pose a greater risk of combustion.
Safe Propane Tank Storage for Safe Summer Fun
We hope that you enjoyed learning all about safe propane tank storage. You can enjoy all the benefits of propane and stay safe while you do it by following these simple guidelines.
If you enjoyed reading this article check out the rest of the blog for more great content!
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