With this warmer weather on the way, many people will be heading out to the backyard, and firing up the bar-B-Q.
If you have a grill that has a propane tank on it, you'd better check it. If it's too old, you won't be able to refill it!
That's right. Starting next Monday-- April 1st-- if you have one of the older tanks, and go down to a dealer to get it filled, that dealer is going to say "No".
You need a tank with a new valve.
And the whole idea here is *safety*!
Yep, it's that time of year... slap a couple of burgers on the backyard grill.
Before you do, though, check out the propane tank underneath. If it's more than 12 years old, you're going to have to get a new tank, with a new type of valve-- called an Overfill Prevention Device, or OPD.
The shape of the valve knob will tell you whether you need to change it.
Brent Halladay/Chief Dep. State Fire Marshal:"IF YOU HAVE AN OLD VALVE , IT'LL EITHER BE ROUND LIKE THIS OR STAR SHAPED ... AND THE NEW OPD, IS 3-SIDED
The concern about the old tanks is overfilling. On hot days, the gas will expand, and the valve could pop off.
Brent Halladay/Chief Dep. State Fire Marshal:"IF YOU HAVE ANY SPARK, OR ANYTHING NEAR... AND IF IT'S UNDER A BAR-B-Q, YEAH YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THERE, AND YOUR PATIO ON FIRE
MCCORD:"THE NEW TANKS WORK LIKE THIS, THERE'S A FLOAT INSIDE, AND WHEN YOU'RE FILLING THEM UP, THE FLOAT ONLY ALLOWS YOU TO FILL IT TO ABOUT 80 PERCENT .. LEAVING ROOM FOR THE GAS TO EXPAND
Brent Halladay/Chief Dep. State Fire Marshal:"IT'S BASICALLY SIMILIAR ON BOTH OF THEM LIKE WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR TOILET BASIN. AND WHEN IT FILLS UP TO 80 PERCENT, IT SHUTS OFF. AND YOU CAN'T PUT ANY MORE PRODUCT IN THE CYLINDER."
The gas industry, began manufacturing the new type of tanks and valves in 1998... but still allowed distributors and gas station operators to refill the old tanks until April 1st of 2002.
As a convenience, many propane companies have set up these exchange centers at stores and gas stations. Bring in the empty, and take away a full tank.
Distributors will also take your old tank off your hands too.
Brent Halladay/Chief Dep. State Fire Marshal:"PLEASE DON'T THROW IT IN YOUR DUMPSTER... TO WHERE IT MIGHT BE COMPACTED WITH THE GARBAGE TRUCK.. AND IF IF IT HAS LP GAS IN IT, WE REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM GOING ON."
Again, the key here-- is the valve knob. If it's round or star-shaped, you need to change; if it's triangular, you're OK.
If you have questions, call the state Fire Marshal's office.
