For your safety, propane has an odor added so you can detect leaks. You and each person using or handling propane in your household must know the smell of propane. Propane has an unusual odor, similar to rotten eggs. If anyone is unable to recognize the odor of propane, call us immediately.
Because propane is heavier than air, leaks will tend to settle to the floor or basement. To check for propane, carefully smell in low spots.
Under some of the following conditions, you may not be able to smell a gas leak. For example:
- Age, colds, allergies, sinus congestion or the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs may diminish your sense of smell.
- Cooking or other strong odors may cover up the smell of gas.
- In certain circumstances, propane gas may lose all its distinctive smell. This is called “ODORANT FADE”.
- Sometimes propane gas can even lose its odor if a leak occurs underground.
For those reasons, it is recommended that you purchase and install a propane gas detector according to the
manufacturer’s instructions as a back-up warning device. If anyone using or handling propane is unable to recognize
the odor of propane, you should not use it until you have purchased and installed gas detectors.