Safety First

Safety is our highest priority here at Texas Best Propane. Many of propane's chemical characteristics along with modern safety regulations make LP gas a safe and reliable source of energy. As with any energy source, however, propane has the potential to be dangerous when the proper precautions are not followed. We believe propane safety is best accomplished by following propane transportation / use policies and by educating our customers regarding propane safety guidelines.

Texas Best Propane's safety policies are intended to meet or exceed all national, state, and local propane safety regulations. We strive to stay abreast of evolving propane guidelines and recommendations. Our ongoing propane safety training programs are designed to ensure that our propane service technicians know how to safely handle potentially hazardous situations that may arise.

Safety Data Sheet
To view the SDS for odorized propane please click here.

NO FLAMES OR SPARKS!
Immediately put out all smoking materials and another open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from the sources can trigger an explosion or a fire.

LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!
Get everyone out of the building or area where you suspect gas is leaking.

SHUT OFF OFF THE GAS
Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).

REPORT THE LEAK
When you are safely far away from the gas leak, call Texas Best Propane right away. If you can't immediately reach Texas Best Propane, call 911 or your local fire department.

DO NOT RETURN TO THE BUILDING OR AREA!
Stay away until your Texas Best Propane representative, emergency responder, or qualified service technician determines that it is safe to do so.

GET YOUR SYSTEM CHECKED
Before you attempt to use any of your propane appliances, your Texas Best Propane representative or a qualified service technician must check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.

TAKE THE SNIFF TEST
Contact Texas Best Propane to receive a brochure with a scratch and sniff of what propane smells like. Use the sample odor to teach everyone in your home or building what propane smells like and the dangers of a propane leak. Always take appropriate action if you or anyone in the building should smell any foul or unusual odor that might be from a propane leak.

PROPANE GAS DETECTORS
Propane gas detectors are designed to sound an alarm if they sense the presence of propane. Their operation does not depend upon the concentration of oderant in the air, just the propane concentration at the detector.

We recommend that you consider installing one or more propane gas detectors. This is particularly important if you or others in your home / building have difficulty smelling propane, or if propane appliances are in little-used areas in your home where the smell of propane might not be detected. Propane detectors can provide an additional measure of security.

Guidelines Regarding Propane Gas Detectors
Be sure propane gas detectors you buy are are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). To help ensure your propane gas detectors operate properly, they should be installed and maintained as recommended by the manufacturer. Never ignore the smell of propane, even if the propane detector is not sounding an alarm.

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and toxic gas. Smoking a cigarette, idling a gasoline or diesel engine; and burning fuel oil, wood, natural gas, and propane all produce CO. High levels of CO can be produced when fuels are burned incompletely.

WHERE DO HIGH LEVELS OF CO COME FROM?
High levels of CO can be produced when fuels are burned incompletely. High levels of CO can be generated by appliances that are defective or improperly installed or maintained. CO levels can also build up if an appliance venting system or chimney becomes blocked (for example, by a birds nest).

CO CAN BE DEADLY!
High levels of CO can make you dizzy, give you headaches, or cause flu-like symptoms (see the list below). In extreme cases, high levels or extended exposure to CO can result in brain damage or death. Young children; the elderly; people with heart disease; and those under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication are particularly susceptible to CO poisoning.

IF YOU SUSPECT CO IS PRESENT ACT IMMEDIATELY!

If you or a family member shows physical symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the building and call 911 or your local fire department.

If it is safe to do so, open windows to allow entry of fresh air, and turn off any appliances you suspect may be releasing CO.

If no one has symptoms, but you suspect that CO is present, call your Texas Best Propane representative or a qualified service technician to check CO levels and your propane equipment.

TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CO POISONING:

• Have Texas Best Propane check your propane appliances and related venting systems annually, preferably before the heating season begins.
• Install UL-listed CO detectors on every level of your home and make sure the detectors are properly maintained.
• Never use a gas oven or range-top burners to provide space heating.
• Never use portable heaters indoors unless they are designed and approved for indoor use.
• Never use a barbecue grill (propane or charcoal) indoors for cooking or heating.
• Regularly check your appliance exhaust vents for blockage.

SIGNS OF IMPROPER APPLIANCE OPERATION THAT CAN GENERATE HIGH CO LEVELS:

• Sooting, especially on appliances and vents
• Unfamiliar or burning odors
• Increased moisture inside of windows

IF A PILOT LIGHT REPEATEDLY GOES OUT...
If the pilot goes out, or is very difficult to light, there may be a safety problem. DO NOT try to fix the problem yourself. It is strongly recommended that only a QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN light any pilot light that has gone out.

YOU ARE TAKING THE RISK!
There is a risk of starting a fire or an explosion if you light a pilot light yourself. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions and warnings concerning the appliance before attempting to light the pilot.

LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS
Only a qualified service technician has the training to install, inspect, service, maintain, and repair your appliances. Have your appliances and propane system inspected just before the start of each heating season and in the event you suspect any sort of malfunction.

HELP YOUR APPLIANCES "BREATHE"
Check the vents of your appliances to be sure that flue gases can flow easily to the outdoors: clear away any insect or bird nests or other debris. Also, clear the area around your appliances so plenty of air can reach the burner for proper combustion.

DO NOT TRY TO MODIFY OR REPAIR
Trying to repair valves, regulators, connectors, controls, or other appliances and cylinder/tank parts, creates the risk of a gas leak that can result in property damage, serious injury, or death.

HAVE OLDER APPLIANCE CONNECTORS INSPECTED
Certain older appliance connectors may crack or break, causing a gas leak. If you have an appliance that is more than 20 years old, have a qualified service technician inspect the connector. Do not do this yourself, as movement of the appliance might damage the connector and cause a leak.

FLAMMABLE VAPORS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD
The pilot light on your propane appliance can ignite vapors from gasoline, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids. Be sure to store and use flammable liquids outdoors or in an area of the building containing no propane appliances.

DON'T RISK IT
If you cannot operate any part of your propane system, or if you think an appliance or other device is not working properly, call your Texas Best Propane representative or a qualified service technician for assistance.

DON'T RUN OUT OF GAS. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS, INCLUDING FIRE OR EXPLOSION, CAN RESULT.
If an appliance valve or gas line is left open, a leak could occur when the system is recharged with propane. If your propane tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out. This can be extremely dangerous.

A LEAK CHECK IS REQUIRED
In many states, a propane retailer or a qualified service technician must perform a leak check of your propane system before turning on the gas.