Page 12 - sept-oct 2019

Overfilling In The OPD Age

By Mike Dreyer

ropane containers have tended release of propane. the husband reported hearing
a wide range of appli- For instance, our office a loud “bang” followed by a
cations, from portable defended a retailer who was “roaring” noise. After stopping
Pgas grills to mosquito sued following an accident the RV, he began walking to-
control and motor vehicles. involving a “dual-fuel” RV that ward his wife who was seated
Regardless of the application, resulted in one death and on a couch behind the driver’s
overfilling a container can al- another serious injury. The RV’s seat when he heard a “poof,”
ways create a hazardous con- fuel system consisted of the which he reported was pro-
dition. When overfilled, a small traditional gasoline engine as pane igniting. He exited the
container can easily become well as a separate propane vehicle, but his wife did not.
liquid full due to an increase system and container mounted Unfortunately, the RV manufac-
in ambient heating, thereby under the carriage. The oper- turer had designed the pro-
causing the pressure relief valve ator could change from gas pane system to vent through a
to activate and cause an unin- to propane with just a flick of a line that discharged next to the
switch on the RV’s side door. Despite flames
WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCE dashboard raging around the door, he was
FROM AMERICA’S and could able to re-enter the RV and pull
INDUSTRY LEADER
monitor pro- his wife out. The wife ultimately
PRODUCTS: pane usage died from her injuries, and the
• New TRANSPORT TRAILERS
• New BOBTAILS via a digital husband was seriously injured.
• New BULK STORAGE TANKS light display The Plaintiff sued several
Ask about availability of
used or refurbished on the dash- entities, including the retail-
transport trailers and bobtails
board. The er, the RV manufacturer, the
SERVICES: day before manufacturer of the propane
• Refurbishing & Repairs
• Blasting & Painting the accident, fuel system, the overfill protec-
• 5-Year Inspections a couple had tion device (OPD) manufac-
• Annual Inspections the propane turer, and the manufacturer
• Stress Relieving
• Parts container filled of the container’s excess flow
by a local re- valve. The Plaintiff’s theory of
PROUDLY MANUFACTURED & ASSEMBLED IN THE USA
tailer and then liability against the retailer was
MISSISSIPPI drove across that the propane container
TANK COMPANY New Mexi- had been overfilled prior to the

HEADQUARTERS INDIANA DIVISION co to Texas. accident when it was cool, and
P O Drawer 1391 1301 East Elkhorn Road
Hattiesburg, MS 39403-1391 Vincennes, IN 47591-8004 During the trip, subsequently became liquid
PH: 800-331-8265 ext. 224 PH: 812-886-8265
FAX: 601-264-0769 FAX: 812-886-8979 temperatures full during the heat of the day
EMAIL: salesid@mstank.com
EMAIL: sales@mstank.com
www .mstank.com climbed, and when the RV had travelling over

12 Alabama Propane Gas Association | September / October 2019