Make sure outside propane is SECURE...

b2beads · #1 07-06-2002, 01:31 PM

**** PLEASE take the ANONYMOUS poll ABOVE! ****

OK, didn't happen to me, but LITERALLY 2 miles from my house. I've been nervous (paranoia I'm sure) about a tank sitting outside where anyone could turn it on. My neighborhood is a nice, old intown neighborhood - 100 year old houses interspersed with old houses turned into apartments. But I've had some REALLY psycho neighbors...

Of course propane needs to be outside, but even that needs to be secured/controlled access. See article below. Turned out it was the woman's ex. He took the tank of acetylene from the garage, put the hose through the dryer vent, and left. He didn't even have to ignite it - a pilot somewhere must have. Blew off the whole side of the house.

This was about 2 miles from my house...

http://www.journalstar.com/local.php?story_id=10242

It was a domestic situation, but still scary. It does once again show that a leak in the house WILL be a disaster. Yeah, gotta be outside, but even that has risks (which make me want to go to natural gas all the more, or put a locked, vented "shed" around my tank...)

B2

Follow-up article on story: http://www.journalstar.com/local.php?story_id=10327

b2beads · #2 07-06-2002, 03:02 PM

Oh, and if any of the links don't work, let me know. I can't test them on my browser - IE flaking out on me... B2

BlackDotMags · #3 07-06-2002, 03:04 PM

Does storing in the garage mean it's considered "outside"? And would that also be considered "secure" for our purposes here? (assuming the garage is not shared by tenants and is generally kept closed)

Mags

b2beads · #4 07-06-2002, 03:17 PM

Hmm, good question. Normally, I would call an unattached, uninhabited garage "outside", but as "safety" is the point of this and many have their studios there...hmm. How about:

For purposes of this discussion - if it is an enclosed space where gas could accumulate and there is no facility for venting, it's NOT considered outside - garage or otherwise.

As for secure, think ability to turn on gas. If garage or building locks or even if tank "hood" is somehow locked into place so that it cannot be turned on or tampered with, that's probably "reasonably" secure. I'm sure someone could crash a car into the tank, but they could do that to the house without the tank and do substantial damage...

If others have opinions on either of these "definitions", jump in!

B2

BlackDotMags · #5 07-06-2002, 03:40 PM

Okay, with your current definitions, I guess I have to say my bar-be-que sized tank is inside year 'round. It is stored in my attached, single-family garage. When I need it, I carry it down to my basement studio, hook up the hoses, check for leaks, and then return it to the garage after my torch session.

And may I also add that both my garage and studio are equipped with floor drains, so in the event a leak should appear, these are the low spots where the gas would flow into.

Mags (not very anonymous today)

ValorieCox · #6 07-06-2002, 07:22 PM

Beth, Interesting poll...I'm a bit surprised with the results so far. Glad you also posted and provided a link from ISGB, as anonymous polls are not a working function there just yet, and a lot of fun to participate in, and view.

(Congratulations on your merit award badge!)

Valorie

Glassy79 · #7 07-06-2002, 07:25 PM

This is inside next to my work bench, and it's a 40 gal.

Alene · #8 07-06-2002, 09:58 PM

Floor drains shouldn't be counted on to "drain" gas. Most all drains have a "trap", a u-shaped turn in the pipe that water sits in all the time. This keeps you from getting sewer fumes wafting up the drain. The water would keep the gas from flowing down the drain. Now it's possible that your drain is tied into the stormwater line instead of the sewer line and that it doesn't have a trap, but I wouldn't assume so. . .

b2beads · #9 07-06-2002, 10:26 PM

Actually, Valorie, I'm not surprised at the results so far. The reason I posted the poll and emphasized anonymous was that last time I asked the question (when I was trying to decide inside or out) a lot of folks posted online "outside", but a lot emailed privately "inside".

Not passing judgement in anyway, just thought it would be interesting to have a more "accurate" representation of what folks are doing. On the downside, I certainly don't want to encourage any NEWBIES to even consider inside as an option.

I'm glad I got the advice I got (OUTSIDE, dummy!) and followed it. But every situation is different and every experience level is different. But it just isn't worth the risk to me - cost of luck running out WAY too high.

B2

Nonie · #10 07-07-2002, 10:23 PM

What a terrifying article. Some people have no respect for life at all.
I have a question about propane.
What is the working pressure from the propane tank? If I get an
oxy concentrator it is a different hookup from that to the propane?
Also ..I would like to know how many of you are using a minor with a concentrator and propane? Do you find it works for you?
Thanks in advance
Nonie..
buying her new torch this week....yipppee!..
I will no longer be a mapp kitty.

laughing glass beads · #11 07-08-2002, 10:54 AM

I have a minor bench burner with a concentrator, and I love it, next is a Lynx, I think! CC

b2beads · #12 07-08-2002, 02:25 PM

Hey, Cindy - good to see you here! Have you used the Lynx yet? I'm thinking new torch, too... B2

redhotbeads · #13 07-08-2002, 02:38 PM

I keep mine in my garage, which is where I work. I guess I *could* keep it outside, but here in Michigan, it gets a little wonky in the wintertime. I don't know how keeping my 30 lb. cannister of propane in the garage is any different than someone keeping gas for acetylene welding in their garage, actually...but maybe nobody does that either!

mistymade · #14 07-08-2002, 06:25 PM

Wow! Scary story!!! Thanks for sharing it. If I ever graduate from these MAPP canisters I will definately store the bulk explosives outside! Currently I keep my MAPP canisters inside...that's probably not a good idea huh!?
Misty

jaycie622 · #15 07-08-2002, 07:32 PM

Other for me means in a 3-bay garage, on the outside wall.

View Poll Results: Where's YOUR Propane Stored? (Remember, this is an anonymous poll!)
Outside all the time - Secured access	55	26.96%
Outside all the time - Unsecured access	61	29.90%
Stored outside (secured) - bring in to work	4	1.96%
Stored outside (unsecured) - bring in to work	10	4.90%
Inside in winter - outside in warmer weather (secured)	0	0%
Inside in winter - outside in warmer weather (unsecured)	1	0.49%
Inside year around	62	30.39%
Other - (please post scenario if you like!)	11	5.39%
Voters: 204. You may not vote on this poll

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