could someone 'splain... Propane tank

JRS & B wrote:
Double WOW????

For what it's worth, I make sure there is no propane left in my 20 pound tanks when I trash them.

But anyone who thinks propane bottles actually explode like they do in the movies is not being realistic.

TRIPLE WOW !!

AND DOUBLE YIKES !!

Deleted the remainder of your post, in re: landfills, methane, etc.

Your second sentence is worse than incorrect, it's absolutely wrong!.:S

Subjected to intense heat - causing more internal pressure than the relief valve can vent -
propane tanks (large and small) are subject to a "BLEVE" - Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor *EXPLOSION*..:S

It's why you see the sea of ruptured tanks all over the parking lot at the recent Florida Rhino Tank refill facility fire..:R

A single tank is very capable of *EXPLODING* in/during a garage fire or an RV fire!

Suggest visiting:

Propane 101 - "EXPLODING PROPANE TANKS"

Scroll down to "Propane BLEVE".

Propane 101 - "PROPANE CYLINDER EXPLOSIONS"

Scroll down to "Cylinder Storage Fires and EXPLOSIONS"

Propane 101 - "Safety Relief Valve"

"cdlane" was asking about his BBQ tank.
Firefighters in a neighboring city responded to a propane /BBQ fire on a condo balcony. The hose connection at the tank had leaked, the BBQ provided a source of ignition - resulting in a fire.

The firefighters easily extinguished the fire.
However, the valve would not shut off completely. Propane continued to leak - which flashed (re-ignited) severely burning two of the F/Fs.

No, that one didn't explode - but there are several examples of 20 lb cylinders exploding during house/garage fires on YouTube.

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Used and stored properly, propane and propane tanks ARE very safe..:C

Unfortunately, even without Hollywood.....they still can go BOOM..:(

If nothing else, an up-close and personal "Hollywood Experience" - at what should be a routine garage fire - is WAY, way more than just "realistic", and ....it may necessitate a change of underwear that wouldn't be necessary in a theater..:W

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