RV / Propane Safety

Purchasing and Maintaining Propane Equipment

 Purchase RVs with gas appliances that have been inspected and certified by a recreational vehicle shop that is licensed by the BCSA.

 Buy propane equipment that is certified for use in Canada.

 Follow RV manufacturer’s instructions for the operation and maintenance of propane equipment

 Have propane equipment maintained regularly. Use the Canadian Propane Association “Propane Services Directory”

 If your propane cylinder is dented or has visible rust, be sure to have it inspected by a professional.

 Ensure that your propane cylinders are inspected and recertified every 10 years.

Expired refillable propane tanks are taken at landfills and transfer stations as well as many propane dealers. Tanks must be empty. Many landfills and transfer stations no longer accept non-refillable, single-use tanks (camping propane containers) because they are difficult and expensive to recycle. Switch to refillable tanks wherever possible.

 Never place a pressurized container in your garbage; they can cause explosions when compacted in collection trucks.

Use Propane Appliances Safely

Propane appliances may produce Carbon Monoxide (CO) if they are not working properly. CO is a poisonous, colourless, odorless gas.

 Use appliances for their intended use only. Never use stove burners or ovens for space heating.

 Never use portable propane camping equipment inside your RV (e.g. camping stoves, barbeques, lanterns, catalytic or radiant heaters).

 Open a vent or window and turn on the range hood fan when using a propane stove or oven.

 Use a Canadian certified CO alarm, in addition to your smoke and propane alarms.

 Check connections for leaks after exchanging propane cylinders. Use a mixture of 50% liquid soap and 50% water applied with a paint brush or a portable gas leak detector.

Immediately Seek Medical Attention if Anyone Shows Symptoms of CO Poisoning

 headaches

 nausea

 dizziness

 drowsiness

 confusion

 impaired judgment

 lack of physical coordination

Know the Smell of Propane

Propane smells like rotten eggs. If you think you smell propane in your RV:

 Get everyone out of the RV immediately.

 Don’t smoke, light matches, operate electrical switches, use either cell phones or telephones, or create any other source of ignition.

 Turn your gas off at the main cylinder, if safe to do so and you know how.

 Call the area fire department emergency number or 911 from the nearest phone outside of the RV.