Propane Cylinder Safety - Superior Propane (2024)

FAQs

How do I know how much propane is left in my cylinder? ›

Weigh the tank.

To measure how many pounds of propane are left in your tank, simply weigh it on a scale and subtract the TW number. For example, if a tank weighing 27 pounds has a TW of 17 pounds, there's about 10 pounds of gas left – a little more than half a tank.

Propane is a safe, reliable and clean energy source. If there is any concern that you or anyone else where propane is being stored and used may not smell a possible leak, there are propane gas detectors to help with propane safety. Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas, also known as LPG.

Store all cylinders that are not in use in an open-air storage unit or cage with a protective roof overhead, at least 20 feet from other buildings. Use and store cylinders in the proper position. Cylinders used for forklifts can be stored in either the vertical or horizontal position.

Cylinder Foot Ring

The bottom of all propane cylinders are required to have a foot ring. The foot ring serves a very vital role in the protection and continued usability of a propane cylinder.

To check the level of propane just pour warm water along the side of the tank. If it's warm to the touch. there's no propane. go further down when it starts cooling. That's where the level of propane is.

Even as the temperatures drop, your propane tank should remain outdoors. Propane tanks should always be kept in a well-ventilated, shaded area and at least 10 feet from your home. Turn it off. If you'll be bringing your grill inside for the winter, be sure to turn off your propane tank and disconnect it.

Storing Propane Outdoors

Place the tank on a sturdy surface, like a piece of wood or slab of concrete, and store it uncovered or covered. Storing propane tanks in the summer is easy, too. In warm weather your propane tank can still be stored outdoors on a flat, solid surface.

Propane tanks should always be stored outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Storing propane tanks in garages or sheds is discouraged because if a valve isn't fully closed, vapors could escape and concentrate indoors. A flat, level, outdoor area that is out of direct sunlight is the ideal location.

The “requalification” date, also known as the “retest” date , is an important marking for fillers and/or consumers. Propane cylinders must be requalified or replaced every 5 or10 years depending on the cylinder type, condition, and previous requalification method.

How often must propane cylinders be visually inspected for defects? ›

Generally, tank recertification needs to be done between 5 and 12 years based on the date of manufacture, and includes visual defects and other factors as well.

The actual OSHA standard, 1910.253(b)(2)(ii) says, Inside of buildings, cylinders shall be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 (6.1m) feet from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior.

Propane tanks vs cylinders is easy to understand if you remember the applications of both. Tanks are stationary and used to fuel homes or businesses. Propane cylinders are portable, small, and used outdoors to fuel gas grills or heaters.

The propane to any BBQ grill needs to be regulated down from the pressure at the propane tank. Every grill needs a regulator between the propane tank and the grill. You need any household propane devices served by a line regulated down to 10–11″w.c. (inches water column).

A standard sized 20-pound propane cylinder holds approximately 430,000 BTUs of liquid propane. Each gallon of propane contains 91,502 BTUs of potential heat and each pound contains approximately 21,548 BTUs.

Look at the gauge attached to the tank with numbers from 5 to 95. The numbers indicate the percentage of gas in the tank. If your tank has a gauge that ranges 0-300 that is pressure not percentage. This chart shows how many gallons of propane you have in your tank at a given percentage.

Pour Hot Water on the Side of the Tank

The gas will be cold if it is still in the bottle, so you can gently pour some hot (but not boiling) water down the side, then slowly run your finger down where you have poured it. When you start to feel the cold in your finger, this is where the gas level is currently.

A 20-pound cylinder is compatible with pretty much all propane refill stations. Typically, a full 20-pound tank weighs 37 pounds because the weight of an empty cylinder—also called the Tare Weight (TW)—is 17 pounds. It holds 20 pounds of fuel, which is called its Water Capacity (WC), adding up to 37 pounds.