How can I recognize a propane leak? Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell like rotten eggs. Propane manufacturers add the smell deliberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, which can create a safety hazard. You can ask your propane retailer for a demonstration to help everyone in your home or building identify leaks.
What to do if you smell gas. Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger a fire or an explosion. Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect there is a leak. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call Davis Propane right away. If you can’t reach Davis Propane, call 911 or the fire department. Do not return to the area where you suspect the leak until it is cleared by Davis Propane or emergency services.
Don’t run out of gas! Serious safety hazards, including a fire or explosion, can result. Air or moisture could get into an empty or depleted tank. This can cause rust build-up inside the tank. Rust can decrease the concentration of the odor of propane, making it harder to smell. If you run out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out. This can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. If you do run out of gas, a qualified service technician from Davis Propane is required to perform a leak check of your propane system before turning the gas back on.
Lighting pilot lights. Many propane appliances may have a pilot light – a small, constantly burning flame inside the appliance. Appliances without a pilot light often have electronic ignition instead. If your appliance has a pilot light, it is an important safety feature. The pilot light ignites the main burner when needed. A pilot light that repeatedly goes out—or is very difficult to light—may be signaling that there is a problem with the appliance or the propane system. If this occurs, DO NOT try to fix the problem yourself. Contact Davis Propane and let a qualified service technician evaluate the problem. Accidents and serious injuries can occur when customers attempt to fix a pilot light problem on their own.
Appliance Maintenance. All appliances using propane must be properly maintained in order to operate safely, properly and efficiently. Davis Propane has qualified service technicians trained in the proper installation and maintenance of all propane appliances. It is recommended that you contact Davis Propane once a year for a safety inspection.
Safe Grilling. Always keep the top open on the grill until you are sure the burners are lit. Never pour an accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on the grill. Do not allow children to tamper with the grill or cylinder. Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks. Always use a leak-detection solution or thick soapy water to check connections for tightness before connecting or lighting a propane gas grill burner. Never store or place a spare propane cylinder under or near a barbecue grill. The heat builds up pressure inside the cylinder, which may cause the pressure relief valve to release propane. Flash fires or explosions can occur from exposing cylinders to heat.
