STORING & HANDLING PROPANE SAFELY

Strict standards and regulations are in place to govern the production, storage, transportation and use of propane to ensure your safety. Here are a few storage and handling facts about propane and the propane industry:

Practices, procedures, equipment and appliances are required to be safe and compliant with federal, provincial, municipal and company standards;
All employees who handle propane are required to be trained and certified;Propane facilities are required by law to meet Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards;
Facilities dealing with the transportation of propane are required by law to have an emergency response plan registered with Transport Canada and the Ministry of Environment, to ensure propane experts are on the scene quickly in the event of an incident.

Respect Basic Safety Considerations

When it comes to consumer practices and procedures, the rules vary by jurisdiction, so always rely on your propane service provider for direction.

Cylinders must be used, transported, and stored in the position/orientation for which they were designed. This ensures that the pressure relieve valve will activate correctly if the cylinder has been overfilled or is exposed to excessive heat.
Store cylinders outdoors, away from heat or sources of ignition (matches, smoking materials, barbecues, spark-producing electrical tools, etc.), and in a secure, well-ventilated area, off the ground, on a non-combustible base.
Never smoke while handling a propane cylinder!
Never use, store, or transport your cylinder where it could be exposed to temperatures greater than 52°C (125 F).
Never modify or repair cylinder or tank parts, including connectors, regulators, and valves. Always contact a qualified service technician.
Before transporting cylinder outlets or storing disconnected cylinders, plug or cap all
Don't transport or use propane containers that are damaged, show signs of corrosion, have been exposed to fire, or appear to be leaking.
Always take cylinders directly to the destination and do not leave them in the vehicle.
If your propane-fuelled vehicle is involved in a collision or other accident, ensure the gas supply is shut off at the container, and have the system checked by a qualified service technician.

Know the Rules for Transportation

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations dictate strict requirements for transporting propane, which include among many other things, specific training, documentation, and placarding.

Visit the TDG Directorate for complete details about the TDG Regulations.

Below you will find information about some of the exemptions to the regulations, that allow consumers to transport cylinders for personal use, plus a few other exemptions.

Exemption

A limited exemption from these regulatory requirements exists for individuals who wish to transport propane cylinders. When transporting cylinders after filling or purchasing, take the cylinders directly to the destination and do not leave them in the vehicle.

Cylinders must be transported upright and secured so they won't move around in a vehicle.
- In an open vehicle, transport upright secured cylinders so the label on each cylinder is visible from outside the vehicle.
- In an enclosed vehicle, upright secured cylinders must be in a well-ventilated space.
- In a passenger vehicle, cylinders must be secured upright on the rear floor with the window open or in the trunk inside a tote box and with the trunk partially open to ensure proper ventilation.
- Ensure the cylinder valve is closed, even if the cylinder is empty. Also ask your propane retailer if a plug is required to seal the valve.
The maximum number of cylinders that can be transported is five.
- In open vehicles, up to five are permitted as long as the total combined mass (propane & cylinders) does not exceed 500 kg (1102 lbs).
- In enclosed vehicles, up to five are permitted, as long as each individual cylinder weighs no more than 30 kg (66 lbs). A full, typical barbeque cylinder weighs approximately 17 kg (34.5 lbs).
If the limits are exceeded in either open or enclosed vehicles, your vehicle must be placarded as per the placard requirements in the regulations, carry the appropriate supporting documentation and the people operating the vehicle must be appropriately trained.