Propane: The Safe Way to Power Your Connecticut Home

One question we’re often asked by customers who are new to propane is “how safe is it?”

As a company that has been working with propane for decades, we can honestly say that it is one of the safest – if not the safest – source of home energy around.

Why do we say that? Consider these facts:

• The entire propane industry – from manufacture to delivery and everything in between – is rigorously regulated by federal DOT, OSHA, and EPA compliance codes, along with state and local fire and safety laws. Propane contractors (including our own) are required to undergo extensive training to ensure their work complies with every one of those laws and codes.
• Propane has the lowest flammability range of all alternative fuels, and it won’t ignite until the air reaches 940° F. Even then, it must be combined with oxygen in particular ways to ignite.
• Propane leaks are easy to detect due to their strong rotten egg odor.
• If liquid propane leaks, it simply dissolves into the air, leaving no impact or toxic residue in the water or soil.
• Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than other common fuel tanks, thanks to a carbon steel design developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
• All propane cylinders from 4 to 40 pounds must be equipped with an Overfilling Prevention Device (OPD) that shuts off transfer of the gas when the tank reaches 80 percent capacity. This “80 percent rule“ gives the gas room to expand safely if an outdoor propane tank is heated by the sun.
• All propane cylinders and tanks must have a built-in pressure relief valve to reduce excessive internal pressure in abnormal conditions.

Keep in mind that these facts don’t even take into account the efforts that WE make to ensure your propane is delivered safely, and that your propane equipment is installed, serviced, and repaired correctly.

The bottom line: propane is one of the safest sources of home energy today – not to mention one of the most versatile and efficient ways to power almost anything in your home.

Have any propane safety questions for us? Call us today – we’re happy to help.