Safety Features Of Your Propane Tank

Get Familiar With Your Tank!

Today’s propane tanks are built for both safety and durability.

But you should still know about the features of your propane tank, so that you can be are aware if something is wrong. It’s also of paramount importance that you know how and where to properly shut it off in case of an emergency.

Go out to your propane tank and familiarize yourself with these features!

Safety Relief Valve

Look at the shutoff valve on the base of the propane tank. Near it is the round, capped safety relief valve.

This piece works independently to protect your tank from having a dangerous pressure buildup inside it. Propane expands in the heat, and if the expansion reaches an unsafe level, whether it is caused extremely hot weather or a fire, the safety relief valve opens on its own to release some of that pressure. It closes on its own once the pressure in the tank returns to a safe level.

Make sure to keep your face and hands safely away from the safety relief valve and that it’s never covered or immobilized in any way.

Regulator

This is found under the protective tank cover on top of your propane tank. It is a flat, circular piece of equipment that is connected to the shutoff valve by a tube.

The purpose of the regulator is to control the flow and pressure of the propane being delivered from the tank to the propane appliances inside your home. It protects your appliances if the pressure inside the tank becomes too high.

Shutoff Valve

This is also referred to as the service valve. It is also located under the tank cover on the top of your tank.

It is a dial that looks like a metal spigot. It is plumbed to the top of the tank.

You need to know how to use the shutoff valve so you can properly turn off the gas at the tank during an emergency or leak. Follow the “lefty loosie; righty tighty” rule and turn the valve clockwise to fully shut off the gas.

If you want more information about the safe use of propane, go to our Propane Safety page, which has learning modules on several propane safety topics from the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).

Contact us with any questions you have about propane tanks and propane safety. And remember: We can visit your property at any time if you have safety concerns. It’s a good idea for you to schedule a service visit at least once a year so we can check all your propane tanks and appliances!

When you own a home or business powered by propane, knowing about propane tank safety is essential. There are certain safety features under your tank’s cover every propane user should be aware of. A propane tank has three safety valves, or components: a service valve, a regulator, and a safety relief valve. These key components are discussed below. Your knowledge of proper propane tank safety can protect you and your family in the case of an unexpected natural disaster or potential leak. Also, learning how to detect a potential leak in your propane system is another added layer of protection.

Armed with the information below, you can feel confident should you ever need to shut off your own propane supply temporarily. It is important to note, consumers should never turn their propane supply back on, on their own. Always contact Delta Liquid Energy and schedule one of our certified technicians to come to your home or business and do this for you.

Whether you are using propane for rural living or on your farm to grow and harvest crops, these propane tank safety tips will help you maintain a level of comfort.

The Service Valve

A propane tank service valve is your “shut-off” valve. It looks like a metal spigot or dial and is plumbed to the top of the tank. You should use this valve to turn the gas off at the tank during an emergency or leak. This is the only safety feature that a consumer should handle. Rely on a professional service technician to handle the other two safety features discussed here. Always turn this valve all the way to the right (clockwise), to fully shut off your propane supply.

The Regulator

The regulator is a flat, circular piece connected by a tube to the shut-off valve. This piece of equipment controls the flow and pressure of propane being delivered from the tank to your home’s appliances. Typically, you will have a first-stage regulator on your tank and a second-stage regulator at the propane line connection to your house.

The Safety Relief Valve

The round, capped safety relief valve is located near the shut-off valve on the base of the tank. This protects the tank in the case of high-pressure situations caused by emergency events such as a fire. The valve may open on its own if the pressure inside the tank gets too high and will close again when the pressure returns to normal. Inside the safety relief valve is a spring and diaphragm mechanism. If too much pressure builds in the diaphragm, the spring will release and open the safety relief valve. Be sure to always keep your face and hands clear of this valve.

It is important to always keep your eyes, ears and nose out for warning signs of any problems with your propane tank. “Rotten-egg” odors and whistling sounds that signify a leak are such signs. Be sure to take immediate action and call 911 then Delta Liquid Energy if there are signs of danger.

What to Do in Bad Weather:

Flood: Turn off the propane tank service valve at the cylinder or tank before water rises.
Snow: Clear heavy snow and ice from regulators, regulator vents, piping, tubing, and valves. Also, keep clear your appliance vents, chimneys, and flues. This will be an ongoing task as you do not want snow built up on any of your propane tank safety features.
Storm: Turn off the main propane service valve if tank shifts position or if propane lines are bent, broken or damaged. Only do this if it is safe to do so.

Extreme weather can come in other forms too, check out our other blog posts about propane safety in extreme weather:

Earthquakes

Hurricanes

Power Outages

Extreme Heat

Fire Danger