Can run propane under a carport?
We are having a house built and plan on living in the Montana on the property but I want it undercover since it will be about 6 months. I am worried about using the propane under a cover. Would this...
Forum Discussion
Interesting "asides" on: Natural gas, Propane, Gasoline.
Spent 30 years responding to funny and serious incidents involving the above.
Natural Gas:
As (I think) we all know, natural gas is lighter than air. No problem unless it's a major leak in a major supply line (like in the street).
Or - in a sealed, confined area - where the natural gas can't escape.
Propane:
Heavier than air. With a *serious* propane leak, propane "flows" like water.
It will "pool" in depressions - just like water does.
Example.
Responded to a dispatch of a "gas leak" in a tract home residential area.
Figured it was probably a homeowner who (somehow) caused a natural gas leak.
Upon arrival - there was a large commercial moving van outside the house.
We were met at the door by the mover assistants, who told us the owner was in the yard - with serious burns.
The story - the homeowner had a propane fired BBQ in the back yard. The movers told him they couldn't take a full propane tank.....so take it out to the middle of the back yard, open the valve and turn it upside down - which he did.
The yard was slightly lower than the adjoining houses, he had a small retainer around the perimeter of his yard (about 2 bricks high). On opening the tank, the propane (gas) flowed across his yard and around the side of the house where he had a spa - which ignited the propane - causing it to flash across the yard.
BTW - light breeze to "almost" calm.
Homeowner -wearing shorts and jogging shoes- received 2nd and some 3rd degree burns.
Gasoline:
Vapors are heavier than air.
Main hazard is spills at gas stations - with multiple, ready sources of ignition. I prefer to only use *metal* gas cans for my mowers, etc. - and only fill with can sitting on the ground.
Pay attention to where the fuel shutoff for the fuel pumps is located.
Why?
Example - guys spent the day fishing - and consuming a few? brewskis.
Boat owner figured he would be ready for next time - fill up his gas tank before returning home. While he was using the facilities, his friends figured they would expedite the fill-up by using another pump. Only glitch - they were pumping fuel via a "pole hole" into the bilge...40 gallons worth!
Another station patron - caught on, hit the station fuel shut-off for the pumps, which may have averted a serious/major disaster.
BTW - a couple of years after the propane incident, I received a phone call at home from the wife of a military friend who was in the process of moving across the country to his new assignment.
She was worried because the movers had told her to do the same propane tank "emptying" process previously described above.
Smart lady!
~
Spent 30 years responding to funny and serious incidents involving the above.
Natural Gas:
As (I think) we all know, natural gas is lighter than air. No problem unless it's a major leak in a major supply line (like in the street).
Or - in a sealed, confined area - where the natural gas can't escape.
Propane:
Heavier than air. With a *serious* propane leak, propane "flows" like water.
It will "pool" in depressions - just like water does.
Example.
Responded to a dispatch of a "gas leak" in a tract home residential area.
Figured it was probably a homeowner who (somehow) caused a natural gas leak.
Upon arrival - there was a large commercial moving van outside the house.
We were met at the door by the mover assistants, who told us the owner was in the yard - with serious burns.
The story - the homeowner had a propane fired BBQ in the back yard. The movers told him they couldn't take a full propane tank.....so take it out to the middle of the back yard, open the valve and turn it upside down - which he did.
The yard was slightly lower than the adjoining houses, he had a small retainer around the perimeter of his yard (about 2 bricks high). On opening the tank, the propane (gas) flowed across his yard and around the side of the house where he had a spa - which ignited the propane - causing it to flash across the yard.
BTW - light breeze to "almost" calm.
Homeowner -wearing shorts and jogging shoes- received 2nd and some 3rd degree burns.
Gasoline:
Vapors are heavier than air.
Main hazard is spills at gas stations - with multiple, ready sources of ignition. I prefer to only use *metal* gas cans for my mowers, etc. - and only fill with can sitting on the ground.
Pay attention to where the fuel shutoff for the fuel pumps is located.
Why?
Example - guys spent the day fishing - and consuming a few? brewskis.
Boat owner figured he would be ready for next time - fill up his gas tank before returning home. While he was using the facilities, his friends figured they would expedite the fill-up by using another pump. Only glitch - they were pumping fuel via a "pole hole" into the bilge...40 gallons worth!
Another station patron - caught on, hit the station fuel shut-off for the pumps, which may have averted a serious/major disaster.
BTW - a couple of years after the propane incident, I received a phone call at home from the wife of a military friend who was in the process of moving across the country to his new assignment.
She was worried because the movers had told her to do the same propane tank "emptying" process previously described above.
Smart lady!
~
