Whether you are looking to store the propane tanks for your BBQ grill during the winter months or simply wish to maintain a supply of emergency fuel in order to operate your generator in the event of a power outage, the manner in which your propane tanks are stored can have a huge impact on your safety and the safety of your home. Below you will learn more about the dos and don'ts of storing these fuel tanks.
The Dos Of Storing Propane Tanks
Do make sure that the area is properly ventilated. This will allow any gas vapors that escape from the tanks to safely disperse rather than building up and causing the potential for an explosion.
Do double check the gas valve before placing into storage. It is extremely important that the gas valve is closed prior to putting the tanks into storage. This is true even if you believe the tank is empty since gas vapors can be present even after the tank no longer contains any liquid propane.
Do keep propane tanks off the floor. Storing these tanks directly on the floor could result in moisture being transferred to the tank. This moisture can cause the tank to rust and ultimately result in the propane leaking out. In order to avoid this issue, always elevate stored propane tanks using a wood pallet or cinder block.
The Don'ts of Storing Propane Tanks
Don't store a propane tank on its side. This will prevent the emergency pressure relief valve from being activated in the event that gas inside the tank expands and causes an unsafe increase in pressure. In order to ensure this emergency valve is able to function properly, you should always keep your propane tanks upright during storage and use.
Don't keep any source of ignition nearby. This includes any appliances which may rely on combustion in order to operate properly, such as a gas furnace or water heater. In the event that gas vapors must be released from tank in order to relieve pressure, these vapors could be ignited by an nearby ignition source, even if the source of the ignition does not come into direct contact with the tanks. In many cases, this will eliminate the possibility of storing propane tanks in the basement of your home.
Don't store for long periods of time unattended. Monitoring the condition of your stored propane tanks will allow you to detect issues, such as the development of rust, before these issues can put your safety at risk. Therefore, you should always take the time to check on the condition of these tanks periodically while they are in storage. You may also want to make note of the gas level in each tank at this time so that you can easily spot any decreased levels that may indicate a leak in one of the tanks.
For more information, contact a business such as Northwest Propane LLC.
Share
