Can You Smell It?

Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufacturers add the smell deliberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, which can create a safety hazard.

Odor Fade

ODOR FADE ALSO CAN DIMINISH PROPANE’S SMELL. Odor fade is an unintended reduction in the concentration of the odor of propane, making it more diffi cult to smell. Although rare, several situations can cause odor fade:

• Air, water, or rust in a propane tank or cylinder can reduce propane odor concentration.
• If the propane is leaking underground, its passage through soil may reduce the smell of propane.
• The propane odor may stick to the inside surfaces of gas piping and distribution systems and possibly other materials.

Propane Gas Detectors

CONSIDER INSTALLING GAS DETECTORS.

• Propane gas detectors are designed to sound an alarm if they sense the presence of propane. Their operation does not depend on the concentration of odorant in the air, just the propane concentration at the detector.
• We recommend that you consider installing one or more propane gas detectors. This is important if you or others in your home have diffi culty smelling propane, or if appliances are in little-used areas in your home where the smell of propane might not be detected. Detectors can provide an additional measure of security.

DETECTOR QUALITY IS IMPORTANT. Be sure the units you buy are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). To be sure propane gas detectors operate properly, install and maintain them as the manufac- turer recommends.

TRUST YOUR NOSE. Never ignore the smell of propane, even if no detector is sounding an alarm to signal the presence of propane. However, if a detector is sounding an alarm, treat it as an emergency and act immediately, even if you do not smell the propane.

CHECK YOUR PROPANE SYSTEM. Even if you install gas detectors, have a qualifi ed service technician inspect your propane system and propane appliances periodically.

If You Smell Gas

• NO FLAMES OR SPARKS! Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open fl ames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.
• LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY! Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.
• SHUT OFF THE GAS. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
• REPORT THE LEAK. From a neighbor’s home or other nearby building away from the gas leak, call your propane retailer right away. If you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fi re department.
• DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA until your propane retailer determines that it is safe to do so.
• GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED. Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your propane retailer or a qualifi ed service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.