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Utah Propane Tank Regulations

Utah regulates the filling and transportation of propane tanks as a matter of public safety. Propane gas is a extremely flammable, and is odorless and colorless. The state has placed a number of regulations to make the use of propane safer, including the addition of an element that gives propane a rotten egg smell, making detecting propane gas leaks easier.

  1. Filling Area

    • Utah has put in place several regulations concerning the area where a propane tanks are filled. Activities or objects that could cause the propane to ignite, such as extension cords, smoking or cordless tools, are not allowed within 25 feet of the filling area. The state requires that materials that can burn easily if exposed to the propane, such as weeds, garbage or grass, are kept at least 10 feet from the propane tank filling area. Vehicles that are within 15 feet of the filling area cannot have an engine running during the filling process.

    Filling Process

    • Propane tanks must be filled by an employee of the filling station and never by a member of the public. An employee who is filling propane tanks must wear protective gloves and eye wear to prevent getting burned by the propane, as required also by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The employee filling the propane tank is required to inspect the filling connectors and tighten them before filling the tank, as well as inspect the valve on the tank for obstructions or damage. If the tank's valve is damaged, a certified LP-Gas supplier must perform the needed repairs. The state mandates that propane containers cannot be filled more than 80 percent. State law prohibits customers from asking employees to exceed the 80 percent rule.

    Labels

    • Utah has placed several regulations pertaining to the labels on propane tanks. Regulations require that propane tanks are moved upright, unless the tank is marked as a horizontal cylinder. Propane tanks must have a label with a Department of Transportation stamp and a number indicating the working pressure for the tank. If a propane tank does not have this label it cannot be filled at a propane gas filling station. Propane tanks also must have a label that indicates the contents of the tank are flammable and names the contents as propane gas.

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