Propane tank storage...

[AWH]

Dan,

That house that blew up, if it's the one I think you're talking about (in Chaska?) was because the owner was working on his tank in his basement. Not the brightest idea. It was a pretty ugly and sad site though. I know the details here because my grandma lives in the house right next to this one and had her siding literally melt due to the heat of the fire.

That being said, the advice on not leaving your tank in an attached garage is a good one. My garage is a detached one, so I don't have any concerns there. Otherwise I'd store it in one of my sheds.

AWH

[Dan97]

Howdy All....

It seems I've hit on a rather "good" subject here. It's good to see a overall respect for a possibly deadly tool we use. It seems like a little knowledge and a good dose of common sense would be all that one needs.

AWH...

Yup. That's the one. After an interesting experience of my own, with an overfilled tank (and it WAS a new model tank) and after remembering what happened in Chaska, it got me thinking as well.

To all...

My toy box, errrrr.... I mean, garage is an attached 3 car. I have no out buildings or sheds. Or even a gas grill for that matter. I'd like to just eliminate the possibilities of catastrophe and get rid of my propane. The gas, not the tanks. The only thing I can think of is to run my heaters and burn off the gas. I feel that would just leave me with my tanks filled with fumes. EXPLOSIVE fumes. I sort of seems like a double edged sword.

In your opinion, What options do I have?

Thanks for the info......Dan

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[email protected]

[AWH]

Dan,

I think if it was me, I'd just keep it outside if it wasn't empty. I'd cover it with a small tarp or something just to keep it out of the weather, keep it from rusting, etc. But if you're in an area where you're afraid that it would get stolen, I guess I'd burn off the remaining propane like you said.

AWH

[Guest]

I always make sure to store the tanks outside after checking them with a soapy water mixture to see if they leak. The orifice cap is a good idea, also keeps the valve clean while storing.

For both insurance and safety reasons I never store gas cylinders in a house, garage, or apartment.

If you do have a fire even if it is not directly associated with the cylinders your insurance Co. may stiff you on making the claim.

I know of a guy who lost his garage and truck but thought he was ok, it was fully covered.

That is it WAS covered until they found the LP tank inside the garage, then he was screwed. They stiffed him on the building and the truck inside the building due to a fire code violation. Insurance and city fire codes are something else we need to consider.

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Backwater Eddy.......><,sUMo,>

Backwater Guiding
Ed Carlson
(701)-281-2300

http://home.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/index.html

[Guest]

Dan97...

Burning off your extra propane may not be a bad idea. Better than just releasing it into the atmosphere, it seems. The amount of fuel left in the tank would probably not be capable of building enough pressure to leak in any significant quantity, with a good valve. I could be wrong though??? Don't store it in any kind of closed container and put it in a place it won't be easily knocked over or damaged. And "keep your nose to the wind".

:::see ya out there:::

[Dan97]

Howdy All...

Backwater Eddy brings up a very good point. One I never thought about. INSURANCE. What if (God forbid) something were to happen. Like what happened to that guy he knows? WOW!!! No thank you. Not for this kid.

I think, after all this, I've justified a shed for the back yard. Vented, of course and room for all those "NON-fun" items. Leaving more room for (you guessed it) FUN items.

Now, what do I "need"? Hmmmmmm.........Dan

[Guest]

I had one of my 20lb tanks refilled one Friday last winter and I put it on the shelf in the garage (unattached) where I always store them. Left later that day on a weekend ice fishing trip with my dad, who brought his propane tank, so I left mine at home. Came home Sunday night, opened the walk-in garage door, and just as I'm reaching for the light switch I get hit with a STONG smell of propane. This tank didn't have the OPD valve in it, and they over-filled it. I could hear gas leaking out of the tank. I still shudder at the thought of what could have happened if the wife or one of the kids had hit the garage door opener or turned on the light switch while I was gone.

[Tuna]

Dan
Make sure the tank is not full. Because when temp. raises the propane will expand and possible vent gas out.If full it would'nt hurt to burn some off or cracking the valve before storaging.Kept out of sun light will help expantion.