Using a Propane Leak Detector
Propane companies add a distinctive odor to their gas so that you can recognize leaks. If you smell propane (often described as a rotten egg smell), that is a strong indication of a leak and it’s important to act quickly – get outside & well away from the building.
A propane leak detector tank or stove can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas displaces oxygen in confined spaces and can cause dizziness, headache, or even death in high concentrations. Carbon monoxide detectors are a good addition to your home but they cannot detect propane leaks and should never be relied on alone.
While a hissing sound near a propane line, tank or appliance is another indication of a leak, some leaking gases are too quiet to be heard. Odor fade can also prevent you from smelling a leak. The chemical odorant in a leaking propane tank or cylinder (usually ethylmercaptan) can “fade” due to underground leaks where movement of the gas through soil may filter out the odorant, or due to internal oxidation of a cylinder or tank. The odorant can also adsorb onto new or old building materials, rough walls, and furniture fabrics.
Propane Leak Detectors: Keeping Your Home Safe from Invisible Dangers
A propane leak detector can help you identify a propane leak by alerting you with an alarm when it is detected. Some propane leak detectors can also monitor pressure and will shut off your appliances if they are not properly operating. For a more economical option, you can test the pressure in your propane system by opening your tank valve and bleed off about a quarter of the indicated pressure and watching the needle on your gauge. If the needle moves up it is a sign of increased pressure and you have a leak.
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