Page 7 - july-august 2022

LP gas board | comments & reviews by: Wayne Whiddon
Inspector

olks, it is hot now I know that this is no be overfilled according to temperature in some
great surprise to anyone who has even circumstances The review of temperature charts
stuck their head out the door in the last would make an excellent topic for a safety
Fcouple of weeks June in Alabama is meeting
typically hot However, this June has brought Another circumstance that might cause
some dangerously high heat indexes Therefore, a container’s relief valve to actuate would be
it is crucial to stay hydrated and protect yourself a weakened relief valve spring Over time the
against heatstroke spring inside the container’s relief valve may
Due to current temperatures, some other things become less effective at holding the pressure
require protection from overheating, such back for any number of reasons Often there is
as propane containers. The board office has no indication that the spring may be weakening
recieved several calls over these past weeks until your office receives a call at three o’clock
about containers “popping off ” When the one afternoon about a customer’s container
temperatures reach the extremes of late, the “popping off ” If the valve relieves with a low
propane inside containers can build pressure level of propane in the container, all signs point
to levels surpassing the container’s relief valve’s to a weakened relief valve spring The only
ratings prudent thing to do is replace the relief valve
For example, a container slightly overfilled with a new one Because, that relief valve can
to a temperature corrected 85% in April may no longer be trusted because of the valve’s
not have had propane levels lowered to a safe weakened state
range because of unforeseen circumstances I An additional reason for a container’s
do not have to tell you that a slightly overfilled relief valve to actuate might be as simple as
propane tank at 50 degrees Fahrenheit might not the container being rusty, and the less reflective
actuate the relief valve but will most assuredly color on it causing the temperature to rise inside
do so at 99 degrees Fahrenheit That change is the container Just as a dark-colored interior of a
just one of many that can cause the container’s car is hotter than a light-colored one, the same
relief valve to open in an effort to reduce the holds true when it comes to propane containers
pressure down to a safe level 70 or 75% may Properly painted containers protect a valuable
investment This protection has
always been important, but it is even
more so with the current price of
containers
Bobtails to Bulkplants Finally, one last thing to consider
that may cause a container’s
relief valve to actuate is added
heat towards the tank I recently
responded to an incident where the
container’s relief valve actuated
New Bobtails Betts Vapor Proof Lights: New Installations
Refurbished Bobtails complete stock of lights, lens Maintenance & Repairs
Hydrostatic Testing & accessories All Work Performed to NFPA 58 partly due to being placed inside
Annual VK Inspections Chelsea PTO & Equipment: Code Upgrades
Annual DOT Inspections power take offs, drive shafts Storage Plant Acquisition & Removal an area enclosed by a wooden
Base Engineering Shutdown & accessories
privacy fence There were two air
FREE ESTIMATES conditioning condensing units as well
40 Industry Drive Jason Gamble, Owner (256) 593-2420 as a home generator nearby adding
Boaz, AL 35956 (205) 616-9084 (800) 757-6639
Email: lptrucks256@aol.com Fax: (256) 593-2460 Continued on page 18...

7 Alabama Propane Gas Association | July / August 2022