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Rull
Bros
Delivering
home-town service and warmth to your family
If
you don't have a Safety Guide brochure from Rull Bros, just call
our office or stop by to pick one up. It is filled with tips for
safely using propane, and it even includes a scratch-n-sniff that
will make you familiar with the odor of propane.
 What
is Propane?
Propane
is a liquid stored under pressure in tanks and cylinders. In most
systems, propane is vaporized to gas before it leaves the tank or
cylinder and is then dispensed through a pressure regulator to your
appliance. In its natural state, propane is an odorless, colorless
gas. A chemical odorant is added to propane to give it a distinctive
smell so the presence can be detected. Propane is a convenient,
versatile, and economical fuel for vehicles and appliances (such
as ranges, water heaters, and furnaces ).
Emergency
Procedure for a Propane Leak
If
you smell gas in your house, workplace, or around any gas equipment
or appliance, follow the emergency procedure below.
Step
Action:
| 1.
Put out all smoking materials and other open flames. |
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DO
NOT operate electric switches. |
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DO
NOT light matches. |
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DO
NOT use your phone. |
Any spark or
flame in the area where propane gas is present may ignite the gas.
This could include the spark of a light switch, telephone, fan,
or refrigerator motor, and even static electricity from walking
across a room or flame from a burner, pilot light or cigarette lighter.
2. IMMEDIATELY
get everyone out of the building, vehicle, trailer, or area.
3. Close all
gas tank or cylinder supply valves.
4. Use your
neighbor's phone to call a trained propane service person and the
fire department. Do NOT re-enter the building, vehicle, trailer,
or area until a trained service person or the fire department advises
it is safe to return.
5. Let the service
person and firefighters check for escaped gas. Have them air out
the area before you return.
6. Have the
trained propane service person:
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Repair
the leak. |
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Pressure
check the system. |
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Turn
on the gas. |
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Check
all the gas appliances, and relight the pilots on the appliances. |
7. Re-enter
the area only when the trained service person or firefighters say
it is safe.
| Examples
of warning signs which may indicate a gas leak has occurred
are: |
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1.
When the smell of gas lasts more than an instant after igniting
stovetop burners.
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2.
When the presence of a foul odor persists.
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3.
When you cannot find the reason for the foul odor. What
you think
may be garbage, sewage, or a dead animal may be a serious
gas leak.
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4.
When you hear a hissing noise near a gas appliance, piping,
or
storage tanks and cylinders.
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Safety
First: Teach Children Appliance Safety
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Over
a million children are left home alone between the time
school lets out and when a parent returns from work or during
school vacations. The National Propane Gas Associaation
(NPGA) offers the following safety tips about gas systems
and appliances to help parents keep their children safe
during this time.
Take
children on a tour of all home appliances, such as the furnace,
water heater and refrigerator, and have them listen to the
noises they make. Children will be less fearful when they
know that the water heater is suppose to gurgle and that
the furnace makes a sound like footsteps in the hallway.
This is also a good time to teach your children about basic
appliance safety rules.
- Never
turn on appliances without an adult present.
- Keep
papers and toys (especially remote-controlled cars) away
from gas furnaces, space heaters and fireplaces.
- Stay
away from propane tanks and pipes
- Never
play with matches.
Every
child home alone should have a neighbor or adult family
friend to turn to in case of an emergency.
Both
natural and propane gas have an odorant added that smells
like rotten eggs to help identify a gas leak. Children should
follow these steps if they smell gas: 1) Exit the home immediately
without using any electric switches or appliance. 2) Go
to a trusted adult for help; and 3) Call mom or dad from
a nearby phone.
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| Danger |
Precautions |
| Propane
gas is Extremely Flammable |
Keep
propane gas and containers away from heat, sparks, and
flame; have your propane dealer light the pilots. |
| Propane
gas Leaks are Dangerous |
Have
your propane system checked by your propane dealer |
| Propane
vapors may ignite Explosively. |
Keep
propane storage containers closed. Do not bleed lines
in enclosed areas. |
| Propane
gas may cause Suffocation. |
Provide
adequate ventilation. |
| Escaping
propane may cause Freeze Burns. |
Avoid
contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. |
| Propane
gas is Heavier Than Air. |
Smell
for gas close to the ground. |
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| If
Your CO Detector Alarm Goes Off |
- Make
sure it is your CO detector and not your smoke detector.
- Check
to see if any member of the household is experiencing
symptoms of poisoning.
- If
they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek
medical attention. Tell the doctor that you suspect CO
poisoning.
- If
no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh
air, turn off all potential sources of CO -- your oil
or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven,
gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater and any vehicle
or small engine.
- Have
a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances
and chimneys to make sure they are operating correctly
and that there is nothing blocking the fumes from being
vented out of the house.
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is © copyright of Rull Bros. Propane.
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