The purpose of this page is to provide information and resources to rural dwellers that use propane or natural gas for heating, motor fuel and/or other uses. It is geared toward those with a fairly high mechanical aptitude and knowledge of the physical sciences. Handled properly and with respect, propane is a very safe fuel. Do something stupid, and it can quickly injure or kill you. On Sept. 1, 2005, the State of Colorado implemented a new set of rules for liquid propane products. These rules directly impact propane distributors and, of course, you their customers. I sometimes think there is a conspiracy against providing end users of propane any type of technical or safety related information. The reason for this may be the fear of creating a large liability for the sponsoring company or government agency. Copyright laws are also a major problem.

For whatever reason, the State propane website is rather hard to find even if you do a search for it. When you get there, file formats tend to be proprietary to Microsoft Corporation. Assuming that not everyone can afford or use the $300.00 Microsoft Office Suite, this site has converted their proprietary LPG Rule Word document into a more standard PDF file format using the free Open Office software suite. End users should take note of Section 3-2 "Delivery After Interruption of Service". Note that the State defines turning off the tank service valve as an "Interruption of Service". This section requires that the distributor perform a leak test on your entire system before delivering gas. This can be quite expensive for the end user. As witnessed by the Electric Mountain Lodge explosion, I consider this requirement largely meaningless. Users in this area often turn off tank service valves to unoccupied facilities and then later turn them back on without any propane distributor being present. In the case of Electric Mountain, I also find it hard to believe any propane distributor would be willing to transport a full complement of service tools and parts 14 plus miles in 4 ft. deep snow to do a leak test.

BLEVE stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. This is a rare video of what typically happens when there is either an accident or some type or malfunction of a propane component. The video is here. During an accident or malfunction event, typically a weaker component such as a hose, exposed valve or fitting gets hit or torn. Liquid propane immediately begins to escape and turns to a white vapor/fog. The conversion from liquid to gas causes the propane to expand approximately 1700 times and is quite cold in the range of -40 deg. F. The vapor is also heavier than air so it typically hugs the ground until an ignition source is found. At this point all hell breaks loose. Note in the video how close people are to the exploding tank. This is quite dangerous in that major steel components of the tank can be thrown through the air hitting people severely injuring or killing them. To be safe, these people need to be at least a mile from the explosion or inside a building with a very substantial roof and walls. The video is quite rare because cameras are typically not present when such an event starts. News videos typically only capture the aftermath. How often to damaging events involving propane occur? I'll let the lawyers tell that story. It sure doesn't appear they are hurting for business.
As the picture to the right shows, delivery trunks are getting both larger and heavier. I've included an additional video that shows what happens when one of these very heavy trucks tries to cross a bridge not capable of carrying the weight. Those living in rural areas should be aware of the very heavy nature of these trucks and the dangers inadequate bridges pose.

If you are one of the unfortunates that are using Windows® 7 you have my deepest sympathy. It appears that Win 7 is not compatible with the widely used .flv file format. Not to worry. For those who want to do away with the Microsoft nonsense, go to the VLC website and download and install their fine video player. It's free of course. To test if your system has the Adobe® Flash player instelled, go to this site. Even if it does not, the VLC player should work just fine for this file format and several others..

In my view, if you use propane in remote rural locations, education plus adherence to defined safety procedures is your best protection against injury and death. Neither the National Fire Protection Association nor the State of Colorado offers a leak check procedure except under protection and treat of Copyright. It's hard for me to understand the reasoning for keeping such a vital test from the public. If you wish to view the NFPA-54 version of the test, you need to find a copy of the National Fuel Gas Code Handbook. The test is located in Annex D on page 389. It's only three pages. Thankfully, a leak test procedure that is just as good if not better is provided free of charge by Rego Corp and can be found here. Bulk storage tank manufacturers often use water to pressure test their tanks. This usually leaves a small quantity of water in the tank that can migrate to propane piping. Methanol is often added to storage tanks for this reason to prevent freeze ups. It's still possible, however, for propane piping to be broken due to water freezing in the lines. Ethyl mercaptan is usually added to the propane (natural gas also) as an odorant and leak detector. Many people, however, have trouble smelling the odorant and it's known that the presence of iron oxide (rust) and other substances can reduce the smell of the odorant for many people. When doing a leak test, be sure that any ice blockages in the piping do not result in a false no-leak indication.

If you decide to do natural - propane gas conversions, I recommend you acquire a copy of the Fuel Gas Handbook (NFPA-54) mentioned above and follow their procedures. When it comes to hot water heat boilers, I again have a problem with the State of Colorado websites. It does not appear that the plumbing board had coordinated with the propane group. The last boiler I installed was delivered as natural gas but was ordered as propane. This required a change out of the gas control valve along with burner components. I find it hard to believe that all plumbers can take a box full of critical gas control components without instructions and install them in a safe and compliant manner. The last time I checked, the vent sizing rules in the National Plumbing Code also did not agree with like rules in the Fuel Gas Code Handbook.

There have been some really stupid consumers out there that have injured or killed themselves and others by trying to work on propane systems without the proper knowledge, experience or training. This webpage provides links to the manuals and reference material required to work with propane systems safely. If you have doubts about your ability to do the work safely, by all means contact a professional trained in the handling, installation and repair of propane systems.

Following is a typical example of why consumers need to be well educated in the use of propane. This webpage attempts to present valid technical information regarding propane regulators. The products being sold appear to be just fine. Just don't believe all statements made on their ": Propane Regulator Facts" page. To quote, "This low pressure regulator will be located on or near the main tank supplying gas to the home". This is almost NEVER the case. Connecting a low pressure regulator to a bulk supply tank can be very dangerous. A high pressure regulator usually painted red connects to the bulk supply tank and reduces tank pressure, usually in the range of 50-150 psi, to around 11 psi. Underground plastic tubing then transfers the 11 psi gas to the home where a low pressure regulator, usually painted green, reduces the pressure from 11 psi to approximately 11 inches of water. 11 inches of water (0.9166 ft. of water) = 0.397397 psi = 6.358 oz. per sq. inch. Please, PLEASE, refer to the technical data in the National Fuel Gas Code Handbook or the Rego Corp Servicemans Manual. Available BTU flow vs. footage (pressure drop) can be found in the sources just mentioned or from manufacturer data.

Please continue to next page - - Oil -- Gas -- Propane

• AmeriGas Parent Co.
• UGI Profile
• AmeriGas Hate Site
• Lon Greenberg History

• Anatomy of a BLEVE
• Bridge Collapse Under Truck

• State Propane Rules
• Propane Rules - PDF
• Good Safety Site
• What The Attorneys Say
• Fisher Propane Handbook
• Rego Propane Service Info
• Propane Equipment
• Propane Safety
• Typical Gas Detector
• Detectors & More
• State Plumbing Board
• LP Gas Magazine
• CSST Piping Site
• Propane Price Chart
• Butane-Propane News
• Propane Tanks
• Propane Piping
• Propane Council
• Manchester Tank
• World LP Gas
• Cramer-Decker Propane
• Propane Equip Cat.
• PNG Technologies
• Meeder Equip.
• Sherwood Equipment
• Hendrix Carb Parts
• Colorado Propane Assn.