Is your propane tank expired?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I have been running into a lot of expired tanks lately and then it dawned on me, its been 5 years since the OPD valve was made mandatory.

As you all know as of April 1, 2002, all propane tanks from 5 to 45 pounds have to have an OPD valve. These valves starting showing up in new tanks around 1999 in anticipation of the new requirement. The old tanks were retrofitted with a new OPD valve and recertified. This recertification is only good for 5 years and then the tank needs to be recertified again. April 2007, is five years after the mandatory OPD requirement.

What can you due? Check the date stamp on your tank. If its the original manufacture stamp you tank is good for 12 years after that date. If its a recertification stamp its good for 5 years. If its expired you have three option. 1 - you can bring it to a propane jobber and have it recertified for a fee. 2 - You can exchange them (most if not all places will no longer except tanks that do not have an OPD valve). 3 - Buy a new tank and dispose of the old one. most counties have a hazardous waste facility that will tank them and dispose of them properly.