LP or Propane Gas Tank Installation, inspection, controls, repair questions and answers.

This article series provides descriptions and photographs of LP gas tanks or cylinders, their installation, piping, and gas regulators. We also describe unsafe gas piping, indications of unsafe or improperly operating gas appliances, gas meters, and other gas installation defects are provided.

Page top photo: LP gas being delivered in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.

LP Gas Tank FAQs

These questions and answers about gas cylinders or LP gas tanks or "propane tanks" were posted originally at GAS TANKS LP / PROPANE - be sure to reivew the installation and safety advice and standards given tehre.

General safety warning: improper installation and even improper inspection and testing methods involving natural or "LP" gas can involve dangerous conditions and risk fire or explosion.

Watch Out: If you smell gas you should leave the building immediately  and should do so without doing anything that could create a spark such as operating a light switch or telephone.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-01-26 by (mod) -

John in GAS TANKS LP / PROPANE you'll find the LP tank clearance distance sketch
that's use in many codes and standards for LPG containers.

But of course the final legal authority is your local building and zoning department.

You will see that footpath distance to a gas cylinder isn't explicitly given, but your local inspector will doubtless have an opinon, and more, to avoid dangerous or curious tampering you may need to protect the tank with fencing.

On 2018-01-26 by John - distance to footpath

Please would anyone know the answer to this:
We have a little used public footpath running through our property. Can I bury an LPG gas tank within 10' of this.

Thanks

John

On 2018-01-25 by (mod) - gas line for propane through a window in the basement

That sounds goofy to me, too, Nancy, for a variety of reasons including having to keep a basement window always open.

Your local plumbing authority is the final authority. Rather than argue with the contractor I'd start there.

Also see GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS at https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Gas_Piping_Defects.php where we include model codes and standards for piping routing.

On 2018-01-23 by nancy@cohenlawofficespc.com

Is it legal to install a gas line for propane through a window in the basement

On 2017-12-06 by (mod) - ground bonding requirements for flexible gas piping

Anon:
Current North American model building codes discussing the ground bonding requirements for flexible gas piping include the following:

The minimum requirement for bonding is satisfied if gas piping is connected to a powered appliance that is connected to a grounding conductor.

Use of appliance grounding conductor is sufficient for personal safety in the event of an electrical fault.

No bonding required if gas appliance is not powered, such as a gas fueled water heater or gas fireplace

Electrical ground bonding is independent of the piping material

Direct electrical (ground) bonding is a permissible alternative method, but not mandated.

However I have read that there is a proposal involving bonding for CSST (Corrugated stainless steel tubing) worded like this:

CSST gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding systems at the point where the gas service enters the building. The bonding jumper shall not be smaller than 6 AWG copper wire or equivalent. - source: CUTTING EDGE SOLUTIONS, LLC, 70 Flanagan Drive, Framingham, MA 01701 USA Tel/Fax 508-877-9239 http://thecuttingedgellc.com/downloads/Bonding_CSST.pdf

On 2017-12-06 by Anonymous

How di I need to bond a propane tank and piping?

On 2017-11-25 by (mod) - propane delivery truck park on the main road?

Terry,

That sounds like a local safety ordinance or ruling to me. And deeded may be dangerous, especially on a busy highway, for fuel truck to park out on the road.

As you can see in my photo of LP gas being delivered in Guanajuato, the delivery driver will prefer to pull off of a busy road or highway if at all possible.

On 2017-11-25 by Terry Hurd

Can a propane delivery truck park on the main road to fill my tank?

Or does it need to be in my driveway?

On 2017-10-29 by Peter

can 2 tenants, each with their own furnace have their usage measured from one propane tank?

On 2017-03-11 by (mod) -

Anon

Pick up a copy of NFPA's National Fuel Gas Code - that's where to start

On 2017-03-11 by Anonymous

Pls can you educate me on the required standard to erecting a commercial purpose gas tank for commercial purpose such as refilling a domestic gas tank, distance from home or is it recommended for installation around living or built up area

On 2016-11-19 by Anonymous

can propane tanks b placed next
2 oil tank

On 2016-11-19 by (mod) -

I think so, but you'll want to check

1. with your local building code inspector: I'd assume you'll need to not just put on a vent cover, but actually remove the vent grille and fill in the foundation opening with solid masonry

3. check again with the gas CO to see that they'll accept that.

Search InspectApedia.com for FOUNDATION VENTS and CRAWLSPACE VENTILATION to read about converting the crawlspace to a conditioned space and closing off all vents.

On 2016-11-19 by Cee B

We bought a house with propane tank installed near foundation vent. The gas company that installed it says it does not pass code so therefore we can not use it. Would it pass code to get a permanent vent cover installed so we don't have to move it?

On 2016-10-31 by (mod) -

Using natural gas meter clearances as an example, 36" - but check with your local building department as there may be local regulations. keep in mind that it's not just the tank but also possibly gas regulators, valves, or other equipment may have more clearance distance specs.

On 2016-10-31 by Cathy

How far does an above ground 120 gal lp gas tank have to be from a dryer vent?

On 2016-05-24 by Anonymous

Me I have questions:we have LPG plante if fill gaz temperature low caming good but if hay temperature the pump gaz not pushing with pressure;what is problem?

On 2015-10-27 by (mod) - A gas grill explosion occurred the same day the underground tank was filled.

Good question Sandra.

Occam's razor says the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

Put another way, coincidences deserve to be treated as suspect. Coincidences are possible, but suspect.

I cannot think of any immediate, obvious way that re-filling a propane tank would cause an explosion at one of the home appliances, but then I haven't inspected your home.
If, for example, in the course of getting to the LP tank someone disturbed the gas grill or its piping that could be significant;

LP tanks are typically filled to about 90 % of capacity, in order to be sure that there is gas not liquid LP at the top of the tank. That measure is taken to be sure that we don't send liquid fuel into the gas regulator - an event that could cause trouble.

If your LP tank was over-filled and the regulator damaged, that might cause improper primary gas pressure reguilation and that might show up at one of the gas appliances.

My advice: turn off the LP gas fuel supply at the tank immediately.
Then ask for help from a professional: check the gas system pressures to be sure that the regulator at the tank and at the gas appliances are working properly.

On 2015-10-27 by Sandra

A gas grill explosion occurred the same day the underground tank was filled. Could there be a connection!

Question:

My gas company is making me pay to move the tank because of the air conditioner. They put it there, not me - Stephen 6/2/11

Reply:

Stephen,

Seems doubtful that the gas company installed the A/C unit. But even if that unit was installed previously and the LP tank has just now been recognized as a hazard, I'd be grateful that someone recognized and warned you about a safety hazard.

Question:

i would like to ask if there is a provision that requires a minimum distance of LP-gas pipe line away from any source of heat? - Randy 5/1/12

Reply:

Randy, "any source of heat" is not well defined. So no, not at that level of definition. After all, an LP tank is installed outside exposed to heat from the sun. But you can read some LP gas tank location and piping routing safety specifications

at GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS as well as in the article GAS TANKS LP / PROPANE.

Question:

My lp tanks outside my mobile home are just a foot away from where my dryer vents outside at. I just bought this home and it was already like that. Is it safe? I have electric dryer. - Robin 1/10/2013

Reply:

The heat of a clothes dryer won't be a risk to an LP gas tank; but if the dryer is blowing lots of lint around I'd double check that the LP gas regulator vent is not exposed to lint-clogging from blowing debris - that would be, in my view, unsafe.

Question: accuracy of LP delivery truck gas bill printers

(Apr 17, 2014) Bert said:

If the printer on a propane gas delivery truck is faulty and prints out dates that are regularly 10 days in advance of the actual delivery date what is the likelihood that the delivered amount of gas is also faulty?

Reply:

What a fascinating question. I can't assume a darn thing about the gas being delivered but I don't blame you for being concerned.

The accidental foul-up of a printer wouldn't concern me provided the company responded and fixed the problem promptly.

But if this were an ongoing situation I could not but wonder if the company is not doing something funny financially that I don't understand.

Financial cheating is ... well, lying and cheating and probably illegal.

Do people who cheat on their taxes or in billing also cheat on product delivery - well that's just an opinion, but hey, I'm just askin'

You might want to report this problem to your state regulators - surely your state has an agency that regulates the metering of fuel delivery truck meters just as they do at the gas pump.\

Keep us posted. If something egregious arises it might be appropriate to let the sun shine (in publishing) on the company.

Question: Auckland NZ dealer won't fill my LPG bottle

(July 28, 2014) Peter Stoneham said:
My local petrol station (in Auckland, New Zealand) wont fill my LPG bottle when the petrol tanker is at the station filling the stations tanks.

They do, however, allow people to fill their cars as normal with petrol and in closer proximity. Why is filling an LPG bottle deemed a health and safety issue around petrol tankers?

Reply:

Interesting question, Peter. I'll research the answer a bit now (and post findings here) and will research it further when I'm in Christchurch later this year.

Follow-up from Christchurch NZ about LPG regulations

Peter

The New Zealand LPGA has a document you'll want to obtain online or from the
LPG Association of New Zealand Inc
PO Box 1776
Wellington

Titled

New Zealand Association of New Zealand Inc
Code of Practice
In-situ Filling of LPG Cylinders

Quoting:

Hazardous atmosphere zones must be delineated and identified in accordance with AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009.

Examples of setting hazardous atmo sphere zones about cylinders taken from Annex ZA 6.5.2.16 and 17 of AS/NZS 60079.10:2009 are shown in Appendix 1.

Question: risks of playing around propane tanks or LPG containers

(Sept 26, 2014) Dee said:

There are 3 underground lpg tanks in our housing estate. There is a brick wall immediately next to the tanks (seperating them from a green area) Is it safe for children to play next to this wall?
Are there any risks for a house which is 10ft from the tanks?

Reply:

If there are LPG leaks everyone is potentially at risk as are nearby buildings.

If the tanks, piping, regulators, and related LPG equipment are properly installed and maintained and operated then the risks of this fuel are within accepted guidelines of the various authorities we cite.

No one can, by e-text alone, make an assessment about the actual risks at your site. If you have reason to be concerned, after evacuating everyone to a safe distance, from a safe location call your emergency services, 911, or if you don't have an immediate emergency concern check with your local building and fire departments and ask for a safety inspection.

Take a look at the regulations for LP Tank siting and the LPG Propane Awareness article we link-to from Massachusetts in the U.S. for a detailed reply.

Question: where to put myh propane tank

(Oct 24, 2014) Chip Griswold III said:
I just bought a home with a propane fireplace. A coper pipe goes out through the exterior wall; there is no tank the prior owner apparently removed it.

Where that pipe comes out is about 4 or 5 feet from the HVAC unit. The best place for me to put the tank would be ten or twelve feet on the other side of the HVAC units, but to do this, I would need to have the copper pipe line extended along the house within a couple feet of the HVAC unit, is that allowable. Short story is putting the tank ample distance away is not a problem, but will the line going to the tank be one?

Reply:

Not if it is piped, installed, protected as per LPG codes we cite in this article. Keep in mind that you will add to the safety of your installation by complying with local codes and regulations including the required building permit and inspections.

On 2013-01-29 by Brian Hill

My neighbor has just installed a large above ground tank, It is within 3 feet of a road to our subdivision. it can get hit , is this allowed?

...

Continue reading  at GAS TANKS LP / PROPANE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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