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Propane Safety and Facts

Facts

What Is Propane?

Propane is a hydrocarbon (C3H8) and is sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, LP-gas or LPG. Propane is produced from both natural gas processing and crude oil refining. It is nontoxic, colorless and virtually odorless. As with natural gas, an identifying odor is added so the gas can be readily detected.

Propane Is a Safe Fuel

The propane industry has developed numerous methods to make the transport and use of propane safe:

• Propane equipment and appliances are manufactured to rigorous safety standards.

• Propane has a narrow range of flammability when compared with other petroleum products. In order to ignite, the propane/air mix must contain from 2.2 to 9.6 percent propane vapor. If the mixture contains less than 2.2 percent gas, it is too lean to burn. If it contains more than 9.6 percent, it is too rich to burn.

• Propane won't ignite when combined with air unless the source of ignition reaches at least 940 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, gasoline will ignite when the source of ignition reaches only 430 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

• The odds of a person dying from a direct result of a propane transportation or storage accident involving loss of cargo are about the same as those of getting struck by an airplane falling from the sky.

• If liquid propane leaks, it vaporizes and dissipates into the air.

• Because it is released from a pressured container as a vapor, propane can't be ingested like gasoline or alcohol fuels.

• Because propane is virtually odorless and colorless in its natural state, a commercial odorant is added so propane can be detected if it leaks from its container.

Safety Starts with Education

The propane industry is also engaged in ongoing efforts to increase safety in the handling, use and maintenance of propane and propane equipment:

• NPGA offers an award-winning preventive maintenance program called GAS Check® (Gas Appliance System Check). Trained technicians inspect entire propane systems and appliances to ensure they are running safely and efficiently, so consumers can save money and enjoy a healthy environment. The program also educates homeowners on the proper maintenance of propane appliances and how to safely handle propane.

• The Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) is a nationally recognized training program for people involved in the handling of propane, equipment and appliances. The CETP is being used extensively throughout the country and is continually updated and expanded.

• Each year, thousands of industry employees and firefighters attend service and safety schools sponsored by the industry. The sessions provide important training in how to quickly control and safely handle a propane emergency.

• NPGA, with funding from the Propane Education & Research Council, has developed a new comprehensive training program for America's public safety agencies and propane retailers. The educational package includes a 220-page textbook, Propane Emergencies, which has been sent free to every fire department in the country. The objectives of the emergency response program are to increase the level of responder safety, improve efficiency to mitigate emergencies and to encourage propane marketers and local emergency responders to develop working relations before an accident occurs.  In addition to the textbook and training materials, there is a website (www.propanesafety.com) dedicated to the program that is continually updated, with interactive scenarios utilizing real world emergency situations.  Firefighters can also get information by calling a toll free number (800/968-9484).

Propane Is an Environmentally Friendly Fuel

• Propane is an approved, alternative clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act as well as the National Energy Policy Act of 1992.

• Propane is one of the lightest, simplest hydrocarbons in existence, and, as a result, is one of the cleanest burning of all alternative fuels. New propane-fueled vehicles can meet the very tough Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards, and one model even meets the Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standards.

• Burning coal to generate electricity releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Per pound of fuel burned, coal emits more than twice the amount of carbon dioxide as does propane. By using propane gas instead of electricity, consumers can cut emissions and help preserve the environment.

• Propane gas is nontoxic, so it's not harmful to soil and water. Because propane does not endanger the environment, the placement of propane tanks either above or below ground is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• According to the EPA, much of the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere, which produces acid rain, is attributable to coal-fired, electricity-generating facilities. In contrast, neither the process by which propane is produced nor the combustion of propane gas produces significant acid rain contaminants.

Propane Is a Good Value

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it could cost consumers twice as much to operate their range, water heater, dryer or furnace with electricity than with propane gas.

• Overall propane costs for fleet vehicles typically range from 5 percent to 30 percent less than conventional or reformulated gasoline. Many states offer fuel tax incentives to encourage the use of clean fuels, thus further reducing operating costs.

Propane Is a Versatile Fuel

• Propane is used by millions of people in many different environments-homes, industry, farming and more.

• More than 14 million families use propane to fuel their furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, outdoor grills, fire places, dryers and range tops.

• Because propane produces minimal emissions, it is safe to use indoors. As a result, nearly 500,000 forklift trucks are powered by propane. Millions more choose this clean-burning alternative for bus, taxi, delivery and other fleets to minimize air pollution in metropolitan areas.

• Propane is used on 660,000 farms for irrigation pumps, grain dryers, standby generators and other farm equipment. It is an essential fuel for crop drying, flame cultivation, fruit ripening, space and water heating and food refrigeration.

• Propane is easy to transport and can be used in areas beyond the natural gas mains. Because it is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas, it is economical to store and transport as a liquid.

Propane & Your Home

When used as a home energy source, propane gas fuels a variety of systems and products. It offers homeowners reliability, cleanliness, improved performance and, on average, costs half as much per BTU as electricity.

Warm and Cozy
Approximately 8.1 million households use propane gas to fuel their home-heating systems.

Furnaces

• A propane furnace consistently supplies air at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Electric heat pumps dispense 95-degree air, which is less than body temperature (98.6 degrees), so the air feels cool, not warm. 

• Propane gas furnaces last an average of 20 years, while electric heat pumps last an average of 12 years. The cost of repairing propane gas furnaces is also lower than the cost of repairing electric heaters.

Space Heaters

• Vent-free propane-fueled space heaters are 99.9 percent efficient and include oxygen depletion sensors that automatically turn units off if oxygen levels drop below specified levels. They can also include thermostats and heat distribution blowers.

• Propane-fueled space heaters produce fewer air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions than those fueled by fuel oil and electricity. In fact, the energy used to power electric heaters produces emissions two to four times higher than the energy produced to power propane heaters.

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold, Just Right

• Propane gas water heaters cost approximately $10 less per month to operate than comparable electric units. On average, propane water heaters are 42 percent less expensive than electric heaters.

• Over an average life span, propane gas water heaters can save homeowners nearly $2,000 more than an electric unit.

• Propane gas water heaters heat more than twice as much water in an hour as a comparable electric model.

Relax by the Fireplace

• Sales of gas-burning fireplace units are increasing. In fact, some propane marketers report that nearly one-third of their new customers are coming to them specifically for propane hearth products.

• Propane gas fireplace systems cost between 30 and 60 percent less per hour of operation than wood burning fireplaces.

• Propane gas fireplaces emit 40 times fewer emissions than wood-burning units and cost less to operate.

• Propane gas fireplaces can be turned off easily with a switch, eliminating concern about remaining embers.

Now We're Cookin' 

• Propane-fueled cook tops offer instant heat and absolute temperature control.

• Ninety-seven percent of professional chefs prefer cooking with gas.

• Unlike electricity-powered appliances, propane appliances are not affected by power outages. Homeowners can continue to enjoy cooking meals in warm homes.

Tumblin' Dry 

• Propane-fueled dryers can complete drying tasks in approximately three-quarters of the time it takes an electric unit. Some models save up to 65 percent in costs over electric dryers.

Safety Tips

General Tips

To readily recognize a leak, know what propane smells like. Propane retailers have pamphlets available with a scratch-and-sniff spot so that your entire family can recognize the smell. Propane leak detectors, similar to carbon monoxide detectors, are available. See your propane supplier to obtain one.

If you smell a leak, immediately evacuate everyone from the building and call your local propane supplier or the fire department from your neighbor's phone. DO NOT remain in the building, use the telephone or light switches or try to determine the source of the leak by yourself.

Be aware of where gas service lines are located, especially when working in your yard.

Water can damage the internal safety mechanism in the gas controls of an appliance. If you suspect that your appliance gas controls may have gotten wet (because of flooding, for example), have a trained technician replace them immediately.

Heating Appliances

All furnaces can collect lint and dirt and should be cleaned regularly. Contact your local propane supplier for information on proper cleaning, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Water Heaters

Drain your tank periodically (until water runs clean - usually 2 to 3 gallons) to get rid of sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank.

Ranges

Have your unit serviced if the burner flame is not blue. The blue flame indicates complete combustion. A yellow flame means air inlets are clogged or burners need adjustment. Contact your propane supplier's service department immediately. Do not cover the oven bottom with foil - it can restrict air circulation.

Never use gas ranges for home heating.

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