Community Forums

Possum · 01-08-2013, 11:12 AM

Can someone explain to me the reason you have to turn off the propane in your RV when you go aboard ferries in North America? At one time I had a propane fueled truck and would have to argue that I couldn't move with the propane off and they would begrudgingly allow me to proceed with the tank turned on.

With all the safeguards that are built into the propane systems why do we have to turn the tanks off and tag them?

fredaevans · 01-08-2013, 11:29 AM

Sheesh.

Not a few pounds of PP, but a 'hundred gallon' of same. A leak and someone walks by with a lit smoke (YES, you're not supposed to do that either) and

KABLOOOOIE!

Even with a MH they tell you (just like at the gas pump) to turn it off.

chief02 · 01-08-2013, 11:32 AM

By turning off the propane it assures that no open flame appliences are running. Just a safety rule. And all safety rules are a result of something bad happening somewhere.

BFlinn181 · 01-08-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief02

By turning off the propane it assures that no open flame appliences are running. Just a safety rule. And all safety rules are a result of something bad happening somewhere.

Seems obvious and hardly an issue since we have to almost disrobe to board an airplane.

Possum · 01-08-2013, 12:23 PM

OK so we have an event that happened prior to a bazillion new regulations affecting propane installation and we still are stuck with old rules anyway. Seems to me to be another bureaucratic boondoggle that helps keep bureaucrats in work.

I almost purchased a 32 foot beaver unit that had been converted to propane and when the owne was asked about the ferry issue he just laughed and said they hand him the tags and he puts them in the doghouse tray.

Sky_Boss · 01-08-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Seems obvious and hardly an issue since we have to almost disrobe to board an airplane.

You mean I didn't have to take off all of my close for my last flight?

Mr_D · 01-08-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

You mean I didn't have to take off all of my close for my last flight?

close?

Sky_Boss · 01-08-2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

close?

clothes...I was so traumatized by the incident that I can't even spell it right.

Midniteoyl · 01-08-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

You mean I didn't have to take off all of my close for my last flight?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

close?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

clothes...I was so traumatized by the incident that I can't even spell it right.

It prolly was 'closed'... tight.

I wouldnt want to be on the ferry where someone was leaking propane. Could you image the panic? 'Overturned ferry' anyone?

RustyJC · 01-08-2013, 02:07 PM

Propane is 1.55 times heavier than air, so it will pool at ground (deck) level and flash to a vapor at atmospheric pressure. If the concentration with air is within explosive limits, it's just waiting for any ignition source (like, for instance, a hot catalytic converter on another vehicle).

Rusty

Aguyfromcalg · 01-08-2013, 03:46 PM

I have seen the aftermath of a garage where a propane powered truck's tank leaked due to overfilling.
I almost got into a fist fight when I insisted a guy turn off his car when he parked in front of my rv when I was getting it's propane tank filled.
I also have not let a pump jockey not fill my propane tank if he gives me the impression he not sure what he is doing.

BFlinn181 · 01-08-2013, 04:14 PM

Ask Hannah Storm, of ESPN about Propane safety.

Here's What Hannah Storm Looked Like After Her Gas Grill Exploded In Her Face

bluepill · 01-08-2013, 04:25 PM

The hazard from propane - as opposed to gasoline or diesel - is it's heavier-than-air nature combined with very fast vaporization. It is much more likely to ignite with an open flame. That's just the primary fire. Much worse is the secondary explosion from the heated LP tank.

A boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE, pron.: /ˈ b l ɛ v iː / BLEV-ee) is an explosion caused by the rupture of a vessel containing a pressurized liquid above its boiling point.[1]

Therefore, if this is all that happens

Consider yourself lucky. Really.

Possum · 01-08-2013, 04:25 PM

OK OK the safety nannies have got to all of us I will withdraw my question. We're not talking about a unit with removable tanks etc. I am talking about a self contained unit that has never been tampered with and has passed inspection.

Have you ever seen the aftermath of a leaking gasoline tank that caught fire and blew? I saw that when I lived in Ontario and the guy was parked in a lineup and for whatever reason his gas tank caught fire and about four vehicles were engulfed before the owners of other cars close by could get their vehicles away from the inferno. Don't see any rules about gasoline tanks being required to be turned off.