Propane Safety

So, there we were. The weather was chilly. We had plenty of water and propane. Turning on the hot water heater for a shower seemed like a perfect plan early in the morning… OK, it was only 4 am, but still, my day sometimes starts at odd times. We were in a campground which is unusual for us. I flipped on the ole’ water heater switch, and the propane alarm went off – just what all of our neighbors wanted to hear at such an early hour. I slammed open the door and aired out the camper. It was unusual because I had just poured myself a hot cup of coffee, fresh from the propane stove. I thought maybe it was a false alarm. There was a problem with that assumption. It was the second time the alarm had gone off. The first time, we thought it was because we were low on fuel. That will sometimes trigger our propane alarm. Something was definitely going on with the water heater or the alarm. No shower. OK, I did get a shower at the community restroom/shower facility. I guess I am a bit picky and love my private showering. That is my own quirky weirdness.

We did some troubleshooting and could not find a leak. We did the soap test and all that, So, we really thought something was wrong with the propane alarm. We trotted off to the Camping World just outside of Las Vegas. We really enjoy working with those people. We had some other work done there, and they are amazing to work with. This time, we were there for so long that I could have completed a complete inventory of all their products. It wasn’t their fault…it took time to figure out what the causing the problem. We didn’t feel so inept in our own fruitless troubleshooting!

They found the issues. There was were several things going on. The thermostat and a sensor failed with the hot water heater. We went on our way, knowing that our propane system and propane alarm were all fine and dandy.

We often wonder about propane. It is one of the biggest hazards of RV life. Do you know the state of your propane lines? When was the last time you checked for leaks? Propane is an interesting gas. It is naturally odorless. That propane odor is added to help identify a leak. Unlike other gases that we deal with, it sinks. I know! It is counter-intuitive. Unfortunately, once propane is loose, it can cause a huge, explosive problem. Pardon the pun! It is extremely flammable and can cause an explosion with just a spark. It could permanently end our camping adventures in a mortal way.

Propane is the one item that we use that I wish we didn’t have to, but it is the most logical fuel source for our needs. To lessen the hazards we take safety very seriously. We have seen propane induced explosions. It is a frightening thing to witness… and even more so when people get hurt. We witnessed an explosion in New Zealand with a boat that was inside a boat shop. The boat exploded as well as parts of the building. People were badly hurt; one perished. DO NOT IGNORE PROPANE MAINTENANCE. Yes, I am shouting. It can kill you and the people you love! Here are a few things that you should do regularly to keep safe:

• Check your lines regularly for leaks. Use a spray bottle with soap.
• Use only a properly vented propane box to store your tanks. Even small BBQ bottles should be stored where they have no access to the inside of your rig. The box should be vented to the outside so that if there is a leak, the fumes will sink and leave to outside via a vent.
• Make sure that your propane locker is never locked. I know, you could risk the theft of your tanks. If there was an emergency, anyone (especially EMS) needs to be able to shut off the propane. Do not store anything else in that locker! You need to have clear, immediate access to those tanks. Also, be sure the vent is clear. This locker would work better if the vents were located at the bottom of the locker instead of the top.
• Always close the valves before you fuel up your rig, as well as when you travel. We were guilty of leaving the propane on for the freezer – that was until we started seeing some of the accidents on the highways involving RVs. Had there been propane in the mix, nobody would have survived!
• When an alarm goes off, take it seriously. Something is wrong. If you can’t figure it out, get help from a professional. Usually, it is something simple. Sometimes, like us, it will take some troubleshooting.
• Always inspect your bottles for corrosion or damage. Just because a nice person will fill your tank doesn’t necessarily mean that your tank is in top condition. Rust, wear and tear. and other damage to your tank could cause a leak.

So, don’t bet your life when it comes to maintaining your propane system. We have used propane over the years and have never had anything explosive happen. We also are quite paranoid and keep it as safe as possible. Do the same, and you will lessen the danger that comes with using propane on your RV adventures.