20-pound propane cylinders = - the Office of the Fire Marshal and the technical standards and safety = authority warn the public of safety issues

NEWS May 5, 2010 =20

On April 1, 2010 the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) was called = to=20 investigate an explosion at a propane filling and distribution centre in = Smithville, Ontario. Although the investigation is ongoing, a safety = issue was=20 identified involving 20-pound propane barbeque-type cylinders. These = propane=20 cylinders are available to the public at cylinder exchange facilities = and are=20 identified on the label with Tank Traders / Superior Propane.

The safety issue involves cylinders that have been sent to retail = cylinder=20 exchange facilities that may have their cylinder valve left in the open=20 position. Connection of the supply hose to the propane cylinder when the = valve=20 is in the open position could result in the release of propane creating = the risk=20 of fire. The OFM and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) = are=20 urging anyone who has purchased a 20-pound propane cylinder that is = identified=20 with a label Tank Traders /Superior Propane from an exchange facility to = check=20 and ensure that the cylinder valve is in the closed position. Please = note that=20 the cylinder valve should always be in the closed position while you are = connecting the tank to your barbeque and when the barbeque is not in = use. =20

Also, if you have a 20-pound propane cylinder with a valve that is = green in=20 colour, do not use the cylinder and return it to the supplier.

For more information on this issue, please click on the Safety Order = FS-179-10.

LEARN MORE

To get your barbecue ready for grilling season, the Technical = Standards and=20 Safety Authority recommends making this three-step safety check part of = your=20 spring cleaning routine:

CLEAN: use a pipe cleaner or wire to make sure = the burner=20 ports are free of rust, dust, dirt, spider webs or other debris. =
CHECK: examine the hose leading from the fuel = supply to=20 the burners. Replace if cracked or damaged.
TEST: find leaks by applying a 50/50 solution of = water=20 and dish soap to all fuel and hose connections. If bubbles appear, = tighten the=20 connections and/or replace the damaged parts and always re-test. =

Remember that barbecues are for outdoor use only. If = used in an=20 enclosed space, carbon monoxide =96 an odourless, colourless, poisonous = gas =96 will=20 gather and reach dangerous exposure levels, which can lead to serious = health=20 effects, or even death.

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For more information:
Gina Pontikas, Office of = the Fire=20 Marshal, 416-325-3155
TSSA Contact: TSSA Media Line 416-734-8772=20

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Last updated: 5/13/2010 11:56:19 AM=20

20-POUND PROPANE CYLINDERS - THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL AND THE=20 TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND SAFETY AUTHORITY WARN THE PUBLIC OF SAFETY=20 ISSUES