An odor has been added to your propane gas so that you can smell it if it escapes – if there’s a leak in the system or if an appliance malfunctions. But, your nose may not always work right. For example, research suggests:
- Some people have a better sense of smell than others.
- Some elderly people are unable to detect the odorant in gas.
- On rare occasions, some people are unable to smell certain odors.
- Colds, allergies and sinus congestion can all affect your sense of smell.
- Tobacco smoke and cooking smells can cover up odors too and remember that tobacco, alcohol or drugs may also affect your sense of smell.
Under certain circumstances, propane gas may lose the distinctive odor that was added. This is sometimes called “odor fade,” and can occur in new steel containers when first placed into service and in used steel containers left open to the atmosphere for a long time.
For example, air, water or rust in a propane tank may weaken the gas odor through a chemical process called oxidation. This can occur in any size container, but is most likely to occur in small containers, or cylinders, especially if the valves were left open to the atmosphere after the container was emptied.
Therefore, you should keep the service valve closed when the cylinder is empty or not connected for use. In addition, you should install a cylinder valve plug. This will help prevent moisture and air for entering the cylinder.
For obvious safety reasons, we want you to be sure you can smell the odor of propane gas and that gas in your tank is odorized.
Here’s what you can do:
- Be sure that you an all members of your household are familiar with the distinctive odor of propane gas.
- If you think the odor of your propane gas is weak or if your sense of smell is impaired, call us (989-732-2451). We’ll send a service technician out to verify the odor of the propane gas in your tank. And if your smell is impaired, consider installing an electric gas detector in your home.
- If you smell gas, do not attempt to light the pilot. Do not cause a spark by turning electrical switches on or off or by using the phone. Turn off the gas in the tank and call us (989-732-2451) from another location.
- If your new propane gas tank or cylinder contains gas but hasn’t been filled for several months, ask us to check the odor (989-732-2451).
- If you have a replaceable cylinder, on your gas grill for example, close the valve when the cylinder is empty and install a plastic plug in the outlet opening. This will keep the moisture out.
Here’s some more safety information...
- Be alert to the odor of propane gas whenever you’re working around a gas applicance or wherever propane is stored or used.
- Before lighting a propane gas appliance, such as a furnace, space hearter or water heater, sniff all around the area. Be sure to sniff a floor level.
(Propane gas is heavier than air and may temporarily settle near the floor, although it immediately starts to diffuse when released to the atmosphere.) If you smell gas, don’t light the appliance. - Never tamper with, apply force to, or use tools on the gas control system. If the control know won’t operate by hand, the control unit must be replaced. Repairs must be made only by a trained gas service technician.
- All new containers and used containers not plugged or kept closed may be infiltrated with water, air or other contaminants. These contaminants must be removed or purged before the container is filled an put into service. The purging process should be done by your propane gas supplier.Keep your empty container closed and plugged. Air, water and other contaminants can enter through an open valve.
- Propane gas leaking from buried gas lines may lose its odor as it passes through the ground, depending on the type of soil and the distance the gas travels. Whenever you suspect a leak, even if you don’t smell the odor of gas, you should contact your propane gas supplier.
- Water can damage the internal safety mechanism in the gas control and create a hazardous condition. If you gas control has gotten wet, as a result of flooding for example, it must be replaced immediately by a trained gas service technician.
Please Remember …
The odor that’s been added to your propane gas is an important safety feature.
- Be sure you and all those who share your home know what propane gas smells like.
- If your propane system has been in regular use (refilled several times), it’s highly unlikely that your gas will lose its distinctive odor.
- If you suspect that your gas has lost its odor, or if you sense of smell has been weakened or otherwise impaired, call us immediately (989-732-2451).
