ABOUT PROPANE
What is Propane?
Tank Dimensions
420 LB Pig
1%=4.54L
Holds about 380L when empty
250 Gallon Tank
1%=9.8L
Holds about 760L when empty
500 Gallon Tank
1%=18.9L
Holds about 1520L when empty
1000 Gallon Tank
1%=37L
Holds about 3040L when empty
Note: Gauges have some variation from tank to tank.
The large majority of residential tanks are 500 gallon and average users will last 60+ days in the winter months.
Clearances and Set Backs
Many customers ask how far their tanks or cylinders need to be from their house or other structures; here are some general rules to follow.
Upright cylinders up to 125 USWG (475 litres) may be placed directly beside a structure of any construction, have no minimum distance from the property line, and may be placed directly beside other upright propane cylinders (to a maximum of four). They must be 3 feet from any building opening including doors, windows or vents; and must be 10 feet from any source of ignition including but not limited to air conditioners, outdoor electrical outlets, and air intakes for furnaces. This type of cylinder includes:
- 420 LB cylinders – used to heat shops, mobile homes, RV’s, skid shacks and other small dwellings
- 100 LB cylinders – often found in commercial and industrial applications, sometimes used for RV and cottage heating
- 30 LB and 20LB cylinders – widely used for BBQ’s, patio heaters, mosquito catchers, and other residential uses.
Tanks holding 126 USWG to 1000 USWG (476 litres – 3800 litres) must be 10 feet from any structure* or property line; as well as 10 feet from any source of ignition including but not limited to air conditioners and air intakes for furnaces. Tanks of this size must be a minimum of 3 feet from any other propane tanks. These tanks must be properly supported on a maximum of two non-combustible supports so that the bottom of the tank is no less than 6 inches and no more than 30 inches from grade. Common tanks of this size are:
- 500 USWG (1900 litres) – this is the most common size used for residential heating, also used for construction heating, commercial uses, and agricultural.
- 1000 USWG (3800 litres) – used for larger residential heating applications, industrial, and oilfield.
* An exception to this rule can be made for tanks up to and including 500 USWG (1900 litres). A single tank may be placed 3 feet from a concrete or masonry wall as long as they are 10 feet from any building opening and are used only for consumer vapour service.
How To Read Your Tank
Most propane tanks have only one gauge on them but some tanks include a pressure gauge as well as a tank level gauge. It is a common error to read the pressure gauge and think that you are running out of propane.
We only pump liquid propane when we fill your tank and the maximum amount we put in is 80% of liquid capacity. We need to allow room for vapor to form inside the tank because that is what your furnace and appliances burn, as the vapor is used more liquid vaporizes to replace it. One litre of liquid propane vaporizes to approx. 270 litres of vapor.
First Stage Regulator
The pressure inside the tank varies according to the temperature outside, it will vary from 30lbs in the winter to as high as 130lbs in the summer. The first stage regulator (normally the red one on the tank) ensures that the pressure of the propane going into the line does not exceed 12lbs, most of the time it will be 10lbs. The vent you see in the picture is not for propane it is for moisture, these rarely fail but if propane is coming out of it call us ASAP.
Pressure Gauge
Not all tanks have a pressure gauge after the regulator but if you do it will read 10-12lbs all the time, regardless of the temperature outside or the amount of propane in the tank. (see photo)
Second Stage Regulator
The second stage regulator is the one on the outside of the house usually against the outside wall. It reduces the pressure of the propane going into the house from 10lbs to less than 1lb which is still more propane than necessary to run the furnace and any appliances in the house. They have a vent the same as the first stage regulator for moisture.
Tank Level Gauge
The tank level gauge is on top of the tank and on most tank sets you need to be close to 6ft tall to read it, the pictures are a bird’s eye view.
Propane Cylinder Markings
We have all seen those cryptic marks stamped into the side of our propane cylinders, if you are wondering what they mean or just wanting to know if it is time to have your cylinder re-certified please see the attached PDF from the Canadian Propane Association that helps explain it all. Please contact our office for any further inquiries you may have.