Propane Safety Tips and Information
You can always count on Poore’s for the safe handling of propane deliveries and repairs of propane gas appliances.
Propane has a strong safety record due to the stringent codes and regulations developed by the propane industry in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).The Poore’s team plays a large role as well. We make a commitment to training so that our employees know precisely how to deliver fuel safely—and know what to do in case of a leak or other emergency.
If you have safety concerns, call us and we will visit your home or business to address any issues you have. We also suggest you schedule a service visit at least once a year so we can check all your propane tanks and appliances.
We encourage you to learn more about propane and proper safety procedures. Below you’ll find information about what to do if you smell gas as well as safety modules for “best practices,” courtesy of the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).
What should I do if I smell gas?
If you think you smell propane in your home, camper, RV or any other area around gas equipment, or if a gas alarm signals the presence of propane, you should IMMEDIATELY follow these suggestions:
- Extinguish all smoking materials and any other open flames or sources of ignition. Everyone should vacate the building, vehicle or area, immediately.
- Move away without using any electric switches, appliances, thermostats or telephones.
- Close the gas shutoff valve on the propane tank or cylinder.
- Call your propane supplier and/or your local fire department from a mobile phone or a neighbor’s telephone.
- Even if you do not continue to smell propane, do not open or turn on the propane supply valve. Do not reenter the building, vehicle or area. Let a qualified propane service technician and/or emergency personnel check for escaped propane.
- Have a properly trained propane service technician repair the leak. The propane service technician or emergency responder needs to determine that the leak situation has been fully resolved. The technician should check all of your gas appliances and relight any appliance pilots.
- Return to the building, vehicle or area only when the service technician or emergency responder indicates it is safe to do so.
Important safety information about gas piping
Do you have this fuel gas piping product installed in your home or business?
This product, known as corrugated stainless-steel tubing (CSST) should be properly bonded and grounded to reduce the risk to your house or business caused by lightning activity. The American Gas Association is partnering with the National Association of State Fire Marshals on this campaign because we want you to be safe.
What is CSST?
Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) is a flexible, stainless steel piping system used to supply natural gas and propane in residential, commercial, and industrial structures. Standard CSST is coated with a yellow exterior plastic coating.
Is there a safety risk with CSST?
If lightning strikes on or near a structure, there is a risk it can travel through the structure’s gas piping system and cause a leak, and in some cases a fire.
Since 2006, all manufacturer’s instructions have required direct bonding and grounding of yellow CSST in new installations. A bonding connection installed on a gas piping system, as with any metallic system within a house, will reduce the likelihood of electrical arcing to or from other bonded metallic systems in the structure, thus reducing the likelihood of arc-induced damage
What should I do if I find CSST?
- Inspect. If work has been performed on the gas piping system in your house or business since 1990, it’s possible that yellow CSST was installed but not to current installation requirements.
- Mitigate. If you find yellow CSST, it is strongly recommended that you contact a licensed electrician. The licensed electrician can make sure that your system is properly bonded.
For more information concerning the safety of CSST go to CSSTsafety.com
Have more questions about propane safety?
Contact us at any time.
Want more propane safety tips? The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has created the informative videos below to tell you all about propane safety!
