Transporting Propane Storage and Use Propane Warning Label Propane Facts Propane History	What is an Overfill Prevention Device? For greater safety, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has required every refilled propane cylinder to have an Overfill Prevention  Device (OPD). This code has been adopted by most states to take effect on April 1, 2002. An OPD is a safety device designed to prevent overfilling of a propane cylinder. The float valve closes when the propane level reaches 80% (the recognized safe level) to prevent overfill which can be a cause of undesirable gas venting. It also stops gas flow when the cylinder is not connected.
	How do I know if I have an OPD? The OPD is not visible to the naked eye, as it is located inside a propane cylinder. However, a quick and easy way to tell if your cylinder is equipped with an OPD is to look at the valve hand wheel. All OPDs have a uniquely shaped triangular hand wheel. All other cylinders with non-triangular shaped hand wheels do not have an OPD.

Transport tank in an upright and secure position. Never allow tank to be bounced around.
No smoking is allowed in the vehicle in which the tank is being transported.
The maximum number of tanks that can be transported is four (4).
Remove the tank from the vehicle as soon as possible after transporting.

Storage and Use

Store tank outdoors in shaded area.
Do not let tank get hot or pressure willrise.
Store tank away from flame and heat.
Close valve tightly and insert safety plug when not in use, even if tank is empty.
Use only on appliances and grills approved for propane.
Check tank and line connections periodically to be sure that they are tight.
Check for leaks using detergent or soapy water - never use a match or flame.

Tank Warning Label

DO NOT REMOVE, DEFACE OR OBLITERATE THIS LABEL DANGER
• FLAMMABLE GAS UNDER PRESSURE
• TRANSPORT IN UPRIGHT, VERTICAL POSITION
• LEAKING LP-GAS MAY CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION IF IGNITED
• CONTACT LP-GAS SUPPLIER FOR REPAIRS OR DISPOSAL OF THIS CYLINDER OR UNUSED LP-GAS
• FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY*
• DO NOT USE OR STORE CYLINDER IN A BUILDING, GARAGE OR ENCLOSED AREA CUSTOMER WARNING:
• Know the odor of LP-Gas. If you hear, see or smell leaking LP-Gas, immediately get everyone away from the cylinder and call the Fire Department. Do not attempt repairs.
• Caution your LP-Gas supplier to:  Be certain cylinder is purged of trapped air prior to first filling. Be certain not to overfill the cylinder. Be certain cylinder requalification date is checked.
• LP-Gas is heavier than air and may settle in low placed while dissipating.
• Contact with the liquid contents of cylinder will cause freeze burns to the skin.
• Do not allow children to tamper or play with cylinder.
• When not connected for use, keep cylinder valve turned off. Self contained outdoor cooking appliances shall be limited to a cylinder of 20 lb. capacity or less.
• Do not use, store or transport cylinder where it would be exposed to high temperatures. Relief valve may open allowing a large amount of flammable gas to escape.
• When transporting, keep cylinder secured in an upright position with cylinder valveturned off.

WHEN CONNECTING FOR USE:
• Use only in compliance with applicable codes.
• Read and follow manufacturers' instructions.
• Consult manufacturers' instructions concerning the cylinder connection provided with your appliance.
• Be sure regulator vent is not pointing up.
• Turn off all valves on the appliance.
• Do not check for gas leaks with a match or open flame. Apply soapy water at areas marked "X". Open cylinder valve. If bubble appears, close valve and have LP-Gas service person  make needed repairs. Also check appliance valves and connections to make sure they do not leak before lighting appliance.
• Light appliance(s) following manufacturers' instructions.
• When appliance is not in use, keep cylinder valve closed.

WHEN IN USE:
• Store and use cylinder in upright, vertical position.
*EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY ANSI/NFPA 58 or CAN/CGA-B149.2

Uses of Propane
This remarkable fuel serves approximately 60 million people in the United States, where approximately 15 billion
gallons of propane are consumed annually.

In 1994, propane was used as follows:

     78.8 million gallons for utility/gas industry usage
     507 million gallons for internal combustion engine use
     1.5 billion gallons for other uses including agricultural
     5.4 billion gallons for residential/commercial usage
     9.0 billion gallons for chemical/industrial usage
 

History of Propane
In 1910, a Pittsburgh motor car owner walked into chemist Dr. Walter Snelling's office, complaining that the gallon
of gasoline he had purchased was half a gallon by the time he got home. He thought the government should look
into why consumers were being cheated because the gasoline was evaporating at a rapid and expensive rate. Dr.
Snelling took up the challenge and discovered the evaporating gases were propane, butane and other
hydrocarbons.

Using coils from an old hot water heater and other miscellaneous pieces of laboratory equipment he could find, Dr.
Snelling built a still that could separate the gasoline into its liquid and gaseous components.

By 1912, propane gas was cooking food in the home. The first car powered by propane ran in 1913, and by 1915
propane was being used in torches to cut through metal. Propane was marketed for flame cutting and cooking
applications by 1920.

In 1927, the total sales of propane in the U. S. were more than one million gallons, and after World War II the
propane gas annual sales increased to more than 15 billion gallons.

By the 1930s, the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) established and proposed a set of recommendations to the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 1932, the first pamphlet of standards (No. 58) was adopted for
publication.

When Dr. Snelling sold his propane patent to Frank Phillips, the founder of Phillips Petroleum Company, his price
was $50,000. Today, propane gas is an $8 billion industry in the United States alone and it is still growing.