WSRL.ORG / Rural Colorado Energy Issues - July. 2005 - Revised June 2009 - Page 1 The purpose of this page is to provide information and resources to rural dwellers that use propane or natural gas for heating, motor fuel and/or other uses. It is geared toward those with a fairly high mechanical aptitude and knowledge of the physical sciences. Handled properly and with respect, propane is a very safe fuel. Do something stupid, and it can quickly injure or kill you. On Sept. 1, 2005, the State of Colorado implemented a new set of rules for liquid propane products. These rules directly impact propane distributors and, of course, you their customers. I sometimes think there is a conspiracy against providing end users of propane any type of technical or safety related information. The reason for this may be the fear of creating a large liability for the sponsoring company or government agency. Copyright laws are also a major problem.
State of Colorado Website -
For whatever reason, the State propane website is rather hard to find even if you do a search for it. When you get there, file formats tend to be proprietary to Microsoft Corporation. Assuming that not everyone can afford or use the $300.00 Microsoft Office Suite, this site has converted their proprietary LPG Rule Word document into a more standard PDF file format using the free Open Office software suite. End users should take note of Section 3-2 "Delivery After Interruption of Service". Note that the State defines turning off the tank service valve as an "Interruption of Service". This section requires that the distributor perform a leak test on your entire system before delivering gas. This can be quite expensive for the end user. As witnessed by the Electric Mountain Lodge explosion, I consider this requirement largely meaningless. Users in this area often turn off tank service valves to unoccupied facilities and then later turn them back on without any propane distributor being present. In the case of Electric Mountain, I also find it hard to believe any propane distributor would be willing to transport a full complement of service tools 14 plus miles in 4 ft. deep snow to do a leak test.
Education -
In my view, if you use propane in remote rural locations, education plus adherence to defined safety procedures is your best protection against injury and death. Neither the National Fire Protection Association nor the State of Colorado offers a leak check procedure except under protection and treat of Copyright. It's hard for me to understand the reasoning for keeping such a vital test from the public. If you wish to view the NFPA-54 version of the test, you need to find a copy of the National Fuel Gas Code Handbook. The test is located in Annex D on page 389. It's only three pages. Thankfully, a leak test procedure that is just as good if not better is provided free of charge by Rego Corp and can be found here. Bulk storage tank manufacturers often use water to pressure test their tanks. This usually leaves a small quantity of water in the tank that can migrate to propane piping. Methanol is often added to storage tanks for this reason to prevent freeze ups. It's still possible, however, for propane piping to be broken due to water freezing in the lines. Ethyl mercaptan is usually added to the propane (natural gas also) as an odorant and leak detector. Many people, however, have trouble smelling the odorant and it's known that the presence of iron oxide (rust) and other substances can reduce the smell of the odorant for many people. When doing a leak test, be sure that any ice blockages in the piping do not result in a false no-leak indication.
Appliances, Conversions, Safety
If you decide to do natural - propane gas conversions, I recommend you acquire a copy of the Fuel Gas Handbook (NFPA-54) mentioned above and follow their procedures. When it comes to hot water heat boilers, I again have a problem with the State of Colorado websites. It does not appear that the plumbing board had coordinated with the propane group. The last boiler I installed was delivered as natural gas but was ordered as propane. This required a change out of the gas control valve along with burner components. I find it hard to believe that all plumbers can take a box full of critical gas control components without instructions and install them in a safe and compliant manner. The last time I checked, the vent sizing rules in the National Plumbing Code also did not agree with like rules in the Fuel Gas Code Handbook.
Colorado Revised Statute - 8-20-415 (Liability)
There have been some really stupid consumers out there that have injured or killed themselves and others by trying to work on propane systems without the proper knowledge, experience or training. This webpage provides links to the manuals and reference material required to work with propane systems safely. If you have doubts about your ability to do the work safely, by all means contact a professional trained in the handling, installation and repair of propane systems.
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Propane Links
Updated Jan. 2010 
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