The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division works to ensure equity, safety and quality in North Carolina’s marketplaces. Part of that mission involves enforcing the North Carolina LP-Gas Inspection Law.
The division’s LP-Gas Program inspects LP-gas installations, transportation vehicles and measuring systems. When working with LP-gas cylinders it’s important to keep a few things in mind to help keep you and others safe.
Inspect your LP cylinders
These guidelines apply to gas grill cylinders. These portable tanks can range from 1 to 100 pounds water capacity (measure of a tank’s capacity when filled with water) and are used for heating and cooking on travel trailers, and primarily for heating purposes at residences.
Before using or storing any of these containers, be sure to do the following:
- Test the valve to verify that it closes completely.
- Check the tank for corrosion. While some light surface rust is OK, deep pitting on the exterior surface of the container indicates the walls have been weakened and cylinder could be damaged more easily. This tank should be replaced to prevent potential injury.
- Check the collar (top handle) and the foot ring on the cylinder to verify it is firmly attached and free of damage. If these elements are corroded, you should seriously consider replacing the tank.
Good storage practices
Propane containers should always be stored outdoors even if they are empty. Never bring tanks indoors, store them in crawl spaces, under houses or in other low-ventilation spaces.
Additionally, containers should be kept away from heat sources and out of direct sunlight when possible. Don’t store spare tanks near an in-use gas grill or other heat sources. They should be stored standing upright on their foot ring, and in a location where they won’t be knocked over. Never lay them on their sides or upside down. Always keep propane storage containers out of the reach of children.
Why is this important?
Propane is very flammable and is primarily in its liquid form under pressure in the cylinder. When the tank is exposed to heat the increase in temperature can cause the pressure inside the tank to increase. To keep the tank from becoming over pressurized, a relief valve is built into the main valve to discharge the over-pressure. This discharge is also flammable and if it occurs in the presence of a source of ignition a significant fire can occur. Similarly, if the tank is weakened due to corrosion, it can be damaged more easily and result in a release. It’s important to ensure your tank is sound, not corroded and properly stored to avoid potential danger.
Find this and other information about LP-gas storage and use on our website under the Standards Division.