Understanding Propane Tank Dangers

February 7, 2025

Propane gas tanks are a popular, practical, efficient, and relatively affordable form of fuel for many purposes. They can be used indoors and outdoors, at home, on vacation, and even in business. Propane is also an eco-friendlier choice than many alternatives.

Propane tanks can power furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, space heaters, and clothes dryers in the home. They also fuel grills and firepits, patio heaters, and pizza ovens in backyards. Propane tanks are particularly useful in rural areas where many households can’t readily access natural gas pipelines.

Outdoor enthusiasts need them to cook on their camping stoves, light lanterns, and even heat tents in cold weather. RV travelers use propane tanks to power generators and water heaters.

Propane tanks are used in agriculture and industry for everything from heating barns to running small and large equipment. Small businesses, such as food service, use them regularly, especially for mobile purposes like catering and food trucks.

What is propane?

Also called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane is “produced as a byproduct of natural gas processing and crude oil refining,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and is “a clean-burning alternative fuel.” Stored in tanks, it is colorless and odorless. However, ethyl mercaptan is added as an odorant as its “rotten eggs” smell helps with leak detection. If spilled, propane “presents no threat to soil, surface water, or groundwater.”

Propane accounts for around 2% of the energy consumed in the United States. California has the highest number of propane-dependent homes (mainly due to its large population)—a little under 3.5% of the state’s total households use it for primary space heating, compared to about 10% of homes nationwide.

Propane Tank Dangers

As practical and convenient as they are, it’s also true that propane tank safety depends enormously on proper production and handling—from design and manufacturing free from defects to installation, filling, maintenance, and regular inspection. Unfortunately, propane tank accidents, though relatively rare, can cause devastating injuries or death from severe burns, blast injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, and more.

Several recent cases nationwide involving propane tank explosions that destroyed homes have put a spotlight on their potential dangers.

In some areas, environmental conditions (e.g., heavy snow) or extreme weather events (e.g., floods, high winds) can create situations that make an improperly installed, maintained, or inspected propane tank extremely dangerous. Dislodging parts (covers, valves, fittings, joints) or masking critical gauges can cause leaks. Improper ventilation during indoor propane use carries the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Extreme heat can cause material around the tank to become highly flammable.

Further, this summer, in Whittier, CA, a catastrophic propane tank explosion in a mobile coffee shop, which injured five food service workers—leaving two in critical condition—underscored the particular risks associated with using propane tanks as a source of fuel for cooking and powering equipment in a small space such as a food truck.

What propane tank users need to know about safety

• Inspect the tank frequently to ensure that the tank, all parts (hoses, fittings, etc.) The equipment it powers meets all safety standards.
• Perform regular maintenance.
• Do not use old tanks—Properly refill/replace equipment on schedule. It is hazardous to refill propane cylinders designed for single use. It’s also important to know that the life of refillable tanks is limited to about a dozen refills before the tank begins to wear and tear, posing a hazard of leaks, explosions, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never use outdoor propane appliances inside.
• Proper storage – “Never store or place a propane cylinder indoors or in an enclosed area such as a basement, garage, shed, or tent. It is illegal and highly unsafe to store propane tanks indoors,” warns AmeriGas. In addition, do not store combustible materials near a propane tank.
• Leave it to the pros – DO NOT attempt to repair a propane tank on your own or modify/replace appliance parts
• If you smell/detect a leak – Get to safety first! Then call the gas company or fire department

For Food Truck Operators/Workers:

• At least twice during each work day, check for leaks and unlit pilots. Also, check before and after moving the truck or changing the tank.
• Have proper safety supplies and fire extinguishers on board.
• Turn off all tanks before driving.
• Train food service workers in proper propane tank handling. Everyone on the truck should know how to turn off the tank immediately if they smell a leak.
• Be aware that food/cooking smells can mask the odor that indicates a leak.
• Ensure that the truck has a flammable gas detector.
• Always store spare tanks outside the truck and upright.
• “Keep extraneous ignition sources such as cigarettes, lighters, heaters, and power tools away from propane tanks at all times,” cautions WorkSafeBC.
• Propane leaks can cause flammable buildup in enclosed spaces; many types of ignition sources can trigger fire or explosion – hot surfaces, tools, wiring and electrical equipment, hot oil, cigarettes, etc.

Always follow all safety guidelines for your specific propane tank and appliances.

Contact Our Skilled Attorney To Learn About Propane Tank Dangers

The personal injury lawyer at Aitken * Aitken * Cohn specializes in propane gas explosions. AAC represented a former aerospace executive who suffered severe burn injuries after a propane explosion at a Fourth of July barbecue. The plaintiff claimed that Four Star Texaco personnel improperly overfilled his 20-pound propane cylinder due to inadequate training, leading to a dangerous gas release when heated by the grill.

The lawsuit also argued that Worthington failed to implement an available overfill prevention device and provided insufficient warnings about the risks. The defendants denied liability, contending that the cylinder was not overfilled and that our client’s negligence—ignoring a warning against placing spare cylinders under the grill—caused the explosion. Despite disputes over liability and damages, we settled the case for $970,000.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a propane tank accident, the experienced Orange county propane tank explosion attorneys at Aitken*Aitken*Cohn are available to evaluate your case.

Written on behalf of Aitken Aitken Cohn