Propane Tank Recertification

Do removable tanks need to be re-certified: YES

Every 12 years.. Not exactly

Without looking it up I think the ORIGINAL (New tank) Re-cert period is 12 years but as the tanks age it becomes more frequent. (like 10).

How to recertify:

Google PROPANE followed by the zip code you are parked in.

look for a Propane WHOLESALE place,, This kind of "Store" will often have photos of delivery trucks on their home page... Visit their tank farm. Odds are they are a re-cert facility.. IF they are not, they WILL know who is.

I have ASME tanks and I had a local LP company certify them just to help me get them filled. Without it, many LP sales personnel don't even know what an ASME tank is and they won't fill them.

For that money you could buy new tanks. The last place that gave me info on a re-certification said it was $25.

Thank you. My tanks have OPD valves but have DOT stamped on the collar around the valve. I guess that means they need to be recertified. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they can be recertified at reasonable cost as I have read some posts elsewhere that suggest that replacing my horizontal tanks may cost $250+ each. That would be painful.

Happy Camping.

DOT tanks may only be used for 12 years after the manufacturing date. (This is according to a standard created by the National Fire Protection Association, and adopted as law by most states). Some states may have adopted rules which specify a different period. A dealer in Minnesota claimed that the state only allow 10 years). After that, tanks must be "re-certified", giving another five years (and can be recertified repeatedly, every five years).

I found this additional information. OPD valves are also required on all tanks these days with this exception for Horizontal tanks.

The new OPD (Overfilling Prevention Device) valves will be required on 4 lb. to 40 lb. propane cylinders from 1 April 2002. However, the currently available new valves are designed only for vertical cylinders and cannot be used with horizontal cylinders. Therefore, horizontal cylinders manufactured prior to 1 October 1998 have been exempted from having OPD valves, provided they are so labeled. (Such cylinders manufactured after 1 October 1998 do already have OPD valves).

DOT tanks need to be recertified. ASME tanks don't.

12years from manuf date 5 years after recert

Thanks. Read some older (10 years ago) posts that claimed that horizontal tanks are not required to be recertified, but I suspect that all removable tanks - including horizontal tanks - are going to need recertification. I am heading out on a 3 week trip to Utah and Arizona on June 1st and I don't want some "gas jockey" in Moab refusing to fill my tanks because they are too old. Will call a few businesses in Vancouver and Portland tomorrow to see what I need to do.

Happy Camping.

I googled:
propane tank certification, portland OR

Lots of choices and locations. Hope this helps.