Propane Odor/Safety?

[davem]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif]I know that natural gas has chemicals added to it so you can detect an odor if there is a leak. What about propane? There is a heater in my travel trailer that runs off propane that I plan on using in the near future. If there is a leak would there be any odor to warn me? I am assuming that a normal carbon monoxide detector would not sense that?  Here is what I know about using propane:  Zilch, nada.[/font]

 

[LowTech]

Yep, they put a stink in propane. It's pretty bad.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

There are propane detectors for RVs.  Should get one if you are using propane, especially if you have an open flame.

-- Spiff

 

[Bela's Mom]

Yes on the propane detector! Propane does have a "stink" chemical in it so you can smell it, however propane is heavier than air and collects down low.  If you have trouble with your smell sense, you may not smell it.

I recommend that you spray all connections with soapy water to check them when you turn the tank on and also get a propane detector installed at floor level.  If you find that you have a propane detector already, check it by putting a butane lighter close to it - don't hit the striker, just release some butane.  It should go off if it is working.

If your not comfortable with any of this, have someone that knows something about it to check the propane appliances out for you.

 

[ganchan]

I'm also concerned about the flammability of propane. I can just imagine blowing myself up due to some stray spark or whatnot. My paranoia on this issue makes we wonder if i'll really want to carry even a little cylinder of the stuff on board....even though countless vandwellers do just that without problems....

 

[Almost There]

I'm also concerned about the flammability of propane. I can just imagine blowing myself up due to some stray spark or whatnot. My paranoia on this issue makes we wonder if i'll really want to carry even a little cylinder of the stuff on board....even though countless vandwellers do just that without problems....

The best thing I ever did was to take a day seminar at a local RV shop that was meant for RV owners. The particular one I took covered propane usage as well as a couple of other RV specific items.

It taught me enough to make me be sure that I was handling propane usage safely and to know when the filling stations were using unsafe practices.

Some states require all handlers to have a propane filling safety certificate...others not so much. I preferred to use the ones who were trained...wonder why.

Propane, stored properly and with lines tested before use is actually quite safe to use. If you haven't noticed, W/M and just about every box store carries the 1 lb tanks on their shelves.

Study up on it, just like anything else you need to do or use in life.

 

[vanman2300]

I worked in the fuel business and all the suggestions made are good ones to follow. I will add that in very rare instances the chemical (methyl mercaptan) that is added to propane is sometimes absent from the propane meaning there is no warning of a gas leak. So a detector is a great idea and placement of it crucial since propane is heavier than air and pools in low places.

 

[highdesertranger]

all good advice given here. I actually feel safer handling the bulk tanks then the smaller ones. the larger tanks have an actual shut off valve. the smaller tanks rely on a Schrader valve which is like your valve stem on you tires. while I have never had a bulk tank leak I have had several of the smaller tanks leak. highdsertranger