Does Your New Home Use Propane? 4 Safety Tips You'll Need To Know
If your new home is heated by propane, you might not be prepared for the care that your new tank will require. To make sure that you're prepared for the safety aspects your new propane tank, it's important that you familiarize yourself with the care it will require. One thing you should know is that your propane tank can become quite explosive if it's not given the proper care and respect. However, if you are prepared to give it the care and respect it will need, your tank will serve you well. Here are four safety tips you should keep in mind when caring for your new propane tank.
1. Secure the Tank to Its Foundation
When your propane tank is set up on your property, it should be installed on a stable foundation, such as a concrete slab. The stable foundation will help prevent it from tipping over, which can happen, especially when the tank is empty. Once you have the tank set up on the concrete foundation, you should use heavy-duty tie-down straps to secure the tank directly to the foundation. The tie-downs will provide the additional security your tank will need to stay safe and secure.
2. Keep Your Tank Full During the Rainy Season
Once you have your tank, you may be tempted to let it drain to empty before refilling it. However, that's the worst thing you can do, especially during the rainy season. You might not realize this, but an empty propane tank can float away in a torrential flood. However, a tank that is properly filled to capacity is too heavy to float away, which means it will stay safely in place even during flooding.
3. Create a Clear-Zone Around Your Tank
When you have your tank up and running, it's a good idea to create a clear-zone around it. One way to do that is to use a tractor to clear the soil of all vegetation. To keep the area cleared, you can spray weed and grass killer to prevent regrowth. You can also go over the soil once a year with your tractor. The clear-zone will allow for easy access to the tank, and will prevent fires from approaching the tank, in the event of a nearby wildfire.
4. Teach Your Family Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency, it's important for you and your family to know what steps to take to secure your propane tank. The first thing you should do is turn off the electricity to your home. Turning the electricity will help prevent sparks should your propane tank develop a leak. You'll also need to turn the valve on your propane tank to the "off" position. To ensure that you and your family are prepared for an emergency, you should take the time to make sure that everyone knows how to turn the electricity off to the house, as well as how to turn the propane tank valve to the "off" position.
To learn more, contact a propane gas delivery service company.