Commercial Propane Safety Reminders
Propane can be used by commercial businesses in countless ways.
It can help provide hot water and ignite flames in commercial kitchens. It’s a way to power generators, forklifts, scissor lifts and welding equipment on construction sites. And propane can fuel heaters that are used in commercial offices, businesses that have an outdoor space, on farms and on construction sites.
Propane Is The Safe Choice For Your Business
Part of what makes using commercial propane appealing to business owners is how safe the fuel is. In fact, it is one of the safest energy sources currently available. Here is part of what makes propane so safe to use:
- Compared to other fuels, propane has the lowest flammability range. It actually won’t ignite at all unless the surrounding air temperature hits 940° Fahrenheit. Additionally, it can’t ignite unless it is combined with oxygen in a very specific way.
- Both propane cylinders and tanks are all made with built-in pressure relief valves that help to relieve any excessive internal pressure due to abnormal conditions.
- The federal DOT, OSHA and EPA, all closely monitor and regulate the whole propane industry. There are also state and local fire and safety laws that need to be followed when using propane. Lansing Ice & Fuel also requires all our propane contractors to complete thorough training to make sure that all the work we do is in accordance with the laws and codes that are set in place.
- It is not uncommon for propane tanks to get punctured throughout their lifetime. However, propane tanks are less likely to be punctured than other fuel tanks. This is because the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designed them with carbon steel.
- Propane gives off a rotten egg odor when it leaks, which helps you will know when you could be in danger.
Using Propane Safely
Even though propane itself is a very safe fuel, there is still the risk the fuel leaking and, therefore, there are certain safety precautions that should be taken into account if that were to ever occur.
Commercial businesses should follow these propane safety reminders in the event that there is a potential propane leak:
- Put out all smoking materials such as cigarettes and extinguish all open flames and sources of ignition.
- Stop using all electrical switches, appliances, telephones and thermostats. You can resume use once you are at safe distance from the potentially dangerous area.
- Close the gas shutoff valve on the propane tank or cylinder as long as it is easy and safe to access.
- Evacuate the site of the potential leak as quickly as possible.
- Call your propane supplier as well as the local fire department once you are far enough away from the potential leak.
- Have the leak inspected and repaired by a professionally trained propane service technician. Do not return to the site of the leak until emergency personnel or a qualified technician gives the okay.
Lansing Ice & Fuel For Your Commercial Propane Needs
If you are a commercial business owner in central Michigan, you can depend on Lansing Ice & Fuel for your company’s propane supply. Contact us today to learn more about our commercial propane services.
