Propane overfill by a "professional"

westend wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
I am licensed(34 years) by the Texas Railroad Commission. Yes, despite its name it regulates all Natural/LP gas operations in the state of Texas. The TRC has been around for over 70 years. THE ONLY CORRECT SAFE METHOD OF FILLING DOT PORTABLE TANKS IS BY WEIGHT.PERIOD!
The fact that you CAN fill by other means does not mean it is a safe method. Filling by any other means than weight, gets you to the hazards and problems YOU encountered. We have to have continued education every 3 years to keep our License current. In those seminars they show pics and describe the aftermath of overfilled DOT tanks that have blown out and caused fires and damage. ESPECIALLY, one I remember from years back about the exact same situation you have---overfilled at below 30 degrees and in the back of a enclosed truck and they went to a higher temp 90 plus and the tank once it blew the valve caused the pick up to catch on fire. Remember, it is YOUR life or family that will have the problems by a unsafe filled tank. Doug

Thanks for posting that, Doug.
I'm sure some, like me, get a bit complacent about using propane and it always pays to be cautious using gas and to be observant about how the tanks are handled and filled.
I've had a pressure valve release inside a van with an overfilled 20 lb. tank and it was an unforgettable experience. I could not see my hands on the wheel, let alone through the windshield. I was lucky.

While the direct weight method is the most accurate, by knowing specific gravity and adjusting for temperature weight can be (and often is) imputed. When transiting bulk cargos from one geographical region to another (cold to hot), a 20% vapor space in bulk containers is very cheap insurance.

3 tons