PROPANE SAFETY
IS YOUR HOME PREPARED FOR THE WINTER?
The safety of customers, employees and the communities that we serve is paramount to America’s propane industry. Whether you are a first-time customer or a seasoned propane customer, this page offers a wide array of valuable resources for the safe use of propane.
Propane systems are a safe, effective way to keep your family comfortable and your home humming all winter long. But it’s always important to make the necessary winter preparations to ensure the colder months go according to plan. These tips can help ensure your propane-powered heating systems and appliances work reliably when called upon throughout the season.
HAVE YOUR PROPANE TANK FILLED BEFORE THE COLD WEATHER ARRIVES.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH PROPANE.
IF YOU RUN OUT OF PROPANE, CALL YOUR PROPANE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY.
MAINTAIN A CLEAR PATH TO YOUR PROPANE TANK.
KEEP OUTDOOR VENTS, CHIMNEYS, AND FLUES CLEAR OF SNOW, ICE, AND DEBRIS.
NEVER USE OUTDOOR APPLIANCES INDOORS.
PROPANE SAFETY
RUN OUT OF GAS?
Remember, propane is an odorless gas, so to detect it’s presence, a ‘rotten egg’ odorant is added to it for your safety. This smell is sometimes present when a tank is run out but could also indicate a leak. Call Fick & Sons IMMEDIATELY should you smell propane. When a tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out which can be extremely dangerous. Should you run out of gas, it’s important you take the following steps to minimize the potential for a hazardous situation. >>
1. TURN OFF APPLIANCES AND TANK
Turn off all control valves to your appliances and the shutoff valve at your propane tank.
2. CALL US IMMEDIATELY
Call Fick & Sons immediately so a qualified technician can both refill your tank and check/light your appliances and system. NEVER attempt to put the system back into service yourself. Per Michigan law, Fick & Sons is required to do conduct a leak check on any tanks ran to empty.
SUSPECT A LEAK?
Should you detect a ‘rotten egg’ smell, evacuate the premises and turn off the shutoff valve on your tank if safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise). Call your propane retailer IMMEDIATELY! Do not attempt to test for a leak with open flame, use rags or tape to stop a leak in gas lines, or do anything that could cause sparks (using electrical outlets, switches or appliances). If unable to get a hold of your propane retailer, dial 911. Leaking propane can also cause the following symptoms: headaches, loss of muscular control, vomiting, watering of the eyes.
Do not return to the premises until your propane retailer or emergency personnel have deemed it’s safe to do so. Have your system checked after to ensure it’s in safe working order.
HOW TO READ YOUR GAUGE
The gauge to the right currently reads 60%. At 30%, you should call to schedule your fill. When the arrow gets into the red, you’re at risk of run out and should call as soon as possible. To determine the amount of gallons left in your tank, simply multiply the percentage reading by the size of your tank. In this example, 60% of a 500 gallon tank would be 300 gallons (.60 x 500 = 300). A common question we receive after a fill is why was my tank never filled to 100%? Per law, tanks are only to be filled to 80% capacity to allow for gas expansion.
