Propane inspection "required" in IL?

I would like to see state by state who has this law. I think fill stations are trying to use this to sell tanks.

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
The problem in transporting propane tanks on their side is that the pressure relief valve is below the vapor level and if for some reason (fire, accident, overheating etc) the tank should vent, it will vent liquid propane which will instantly expand to thousands of times it's volume in vapor causing an extreme hazard. NEVER place or transport them horizontally.

actually if you were to store it on its side as long as the relief valve is in the position that will be above the liquid it will be fine
so assuming its at 80%(full) and relief valve at noon it will be fine

The problem in transporting propane tanks on their side is that the pressure relief valve is below the vapor level and if for some reason (fire, accident, overheating etc) the tank should vent, it will vent liquid propane which will instantly expand to thousands of times it's volume in vapor causing an extreme hazard. NEVER place or transport them horizontally.

cbr46 wrote:

edatlanta wrote:
He said one of their other fill locations was "caught" allowing filled tanks to be transported on their side. This location was fined $10,000.00 he said.

WyoTraveler wrote:
Yippee state found a new source of tax. Amazing what these tax revenue guys can think up. :B

That's where the real money is. Imagine a small business having to cough up $10,000. :E That could be the end of that small business.

I found out about the 12 yr rule when I "tried" to fill my tank (first time - so gracious of seller to send me off with a full tank LOL). I'm in year 12 now so it's on the bubble but the tank is totally covered in rust. I don't think sanding and repainting will get it to pass condition. Original tank was tested to 312 lbs. $500 for a new tank + labor. New tank on order.

Best,
- bob

Please provide a link to the 12 year rule governing your propane 'tank'......propane 'cylinders' yes but not 'tanks'

Permanent mounted propane 'tanks' in MHs do not have a re-certification requirement.
Your problem sounds like rusty exterior/chipped paint etc.
A wire brush and a couple cans of rustoleum paint would be all that is needed and replacing the relief valve (which is suggested to do at 10 years).
But unless tank has been damaged/dented/ripped open......no re-certification required.

edatlanta wrote:
He said one of their other fill locations was "caught" allowing filled tanks to be transported on their side. This location was fined $10,000.00 he said.

WyoTraveler wrote:
Yippee state found a new source of tax. Amazing what these tax revenue guys can think up. :B

That's where the real money is. Imagine a small business having to cough up $10,000. :E That could be the end of that small business.

I found out about the 12 yr rule when I "tried" to fill my tank (first time - so gracious of seller to send me off with a full tank LOL). I'm in year 12 now so it's on the bubble but the tank is totally covered in rust. I don't think sanding and repainting will get it to pass condition. Original tank was tested to 312 lbs. $500 for a new tank + labor. New tank on order.

Best,
- bob

edatlanta wrote:
....... I put it back in the back of my truck on it's side which is how I have always transported them. Standing up they have to be tied in place which is a pain......

IFa unsecured tank was to roll in the truck bed and hit something like a 5th wheel hitch corner,IF the valve happened to get knocked off, Bottle could fire through the air like a rocket. Sounds real unlikely but could happen IF stars /moon aligned right and your having a bad luck day. I'm always upright in milk crates to add stability to base and strapped off to the truck tie downs. Unsecured loads of any kind can be real bad in sudden stop situation. Randu

edatlanta wrote:
Concerning portable tanks, I ran into something new to me a couple of weeks ago. I was at my local lumber company which also fills propane tanks. I had a 30 lb tank from my 5'er and two 20 lb tanks that I use for outdoor heaters at a friends patio where we sit out at night. I arrived at the fill station with all three tanks in the back of my pickup. After the first one was filled I put it back in the back of my truck on it's side which is how I have always transported them. Standing up they have to be tied in place which is a pain. The attendant stopped filling my second tank and said that I would have to transport any filled tank off of his premises standing up or he could not fill the other ones and would have to confiscate the one that was already full. He said one of their other fill locations was "caught" allowing filled tanks to be transported on their side. This location was fined $10,000.00 he said. He said portable tanks on their side disables the anti leak valve and thus is illegal to do. I looked on the label on my tanks and they do say to transport only in a vertical position.

Anyone else heard of this?

This is usually part of any State that has LP regulations. Texas just started enforcing this last year. In Texas, you CANNOT transport any DOT tank OVER 40lb in a enclosed vehicle, including a truck with a weather tight topper. OVER 40 lb they must be transported upright. Under 40 lb they do not have to be transported upright and can be in an enclosed area. Doug

That's how you are supposed to transport them and other high pressure tanks. Harder to knock the valve off and they will not go as far standing up.:B

Concerning portable tanks, I ran into something new to me a couple of weeks ago. I was at my local lumber company which also fills propane tanks. I had a 30 lb tank from my 5'er and two 20 lb tanks that I use for outdoor heaters at a friends patio where we sit out at night. I arrived at the fill station with all three tanks in the back of my pickup. After the first one was filled I put it back in the back of my truck on it's side which is how I have always transported them. Standing up they have to be tied in place which is a pain. The attendant stopped filling my second tank and said that I would have to transport any filled tank off of his premises standing up or he could not fill the other ones and would have to confiscate the one that was already full. He said one of their other fill locations was "caught" allowing filled tanks to be transported on their side. This location was fined $10,000.00 he said. He said portable tanks on their side disables the anti leak valve and thus is illegal to do. I looked on the label on my tanks and they do say to transport only in a vertical position.

Anyone else heard of this?

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I think it is 20 year for DOT mounted tanks on a RV, while less time for the portable tanks.

ASME tanks are mounted on a RV. No inspection required, but you should have the relief valve replaced every 10 years. And you should sand off the rust and repaint if it looks rusty. It will make the attendant much happier.

Portable tanks are known as DOT cylinders or bottles and require inspection 12 years after their manufacture date and and every five years after that.