Understanding Your Propane Tank
Your propane tank may seem like a basic structure serving a simple purpose; however, you’d be surprised to learn that there’s really a lot more to it than meets the eye. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice numerous gauges, valves, and other intricate pieces of apparatus that play an important role in making sure your propane tank operates.
Before we take a look at the technicalities, it’s worth mentioning that there are several clear requirements every tank must meet to be considered compliant. A few of these include:
- Tank Color: your propane tank must be painted with a reflective color
- Tank Placement: your tank must be located above ground and on level soil
- Tank Regulator Position: your regulator must be pointed down or protected
- Tank Nameplate: your tank MUST have a nameplate in order to be filled
Understanding Your Propane Tank Parts
Now that you know the basic requirements for a compliant propane tank, let’s take a look at its individual parts:
- Service Valve: location where propane converts into vapor to be consumable
- Relief Valve: if there’s too much pressure, the relief valve is the safety mechanism that vents the propane
- Fill Valve: location where the hose is attached for refilling your tank
- Float Gauge: also called a dial gauge, shows how much propane is in the tank
- Fixed Liquid Level Gauge: tells if the tank is at 80% capacity or more
- Liquid Withdrawal Valve: location to remove propane from the tank
- Vapor Return Valve: removes excess pressure during delivery
Although propane tanks are made by many different companies and in many different sizes, all of these manufacturers must adhere to the rules set forth by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) if their tanks are intended for use in the U.S. The tanks manufactured are designed for safety and efficiency, as well as to satisfy the requirements of compliance.
There are also national, state, and local rules governing the installation of propane tanks, and you can trust Keystone Propane’s extensive expertise in upholding all codes and regulations during the installation and refill process. To find out more information about your propane tank or the regulatory codes in your area, feel free to contact a Keystone Propane representative anytime.
