Both propane and acetylene have their own individual pluses and
minuses when it comes to safety. Many people seem to focus on the
fact that propane is heavier than air and tends to pool. This is
absolutely true, but.... when a combustible gas leaks in an enclosed
space such as a home studio with limited ventilation, it doesn't
make much difference whether the gas is heavier or lighter than air.
I’m going to disagree with Paul by being on his side ;} Gas is gas -
flammables, anyway. There are issues specific to each of them, but on
a practical level they mean little. They are all going to burn down
your house if you handle them badly. My advise would be to treat them
all the same in terms of safety practices. We have natural gas lines
for soldering and acetyline for that extra kick as needed, and we
treat them the same. Acetyline tanks are pressurized, so there’s that
(more a physical risk than fire, mostly), but in terms of fittings,
leaks, and TURNING IT OFF when it’s not in use, they are the same, to
us. Gas is gas. Debating SG and flash points is great in a chemistry
book, but in the shop it makes almost no difference whether it’s
propane, LPG, acetone, paint thinner or gasoline that burns down your
workshop. In our business fire is like the lion and the lion
tamer…Buy a good fire extinguisher, too.
I've been thinking of a storing my propane tank outside as well but
the -20 to -40 degree temps here in the winter add a few wrinkles.
I live in northern Minnesota, and work with propane piped into the
studio from our big outdoors propane tank. The pipe is copper, done
professionally. It ends at a turn-off valve fastened to the wall
right next to my bench. I am very happy with it. Of course you know
we get severely cold temps here, too.
my question: would it be good to provide for any acetylene leak by
putting some holes at the top of the can's sides (i'm thinking
close to the rim where water might not flow)?
Jean, I can’t believe this big plastic “locking” [two handles come
up from the sides, onto the lid, from opposite sides] garbage can
(bought at Sears, I think) is totally air-tight. I assume any slow
leak of acetylene will seep out. I’ve not had any reason to believe
otherwise.
I store mine outside all year round, inside a big plastic garbage
can, one of those "locking" kind.
Storing pressurized gas in a closed container such as a garbage can
is not a good practice. If there is any leak at all, the gas will
build up in the garbage can, with no way out. This will happen
regardless of whether the gas is propane or acetylene. If the gas
happens to see a source of ignition when you are nearby, for example
if your cellphone rings when you are opening the garbage can, or if
there is a static discharge from the garbage can to you, there could
be a serious explosion. If you must store the gas in the garbage
can, it is really important to put lots of holes in it for
ventilation. Holes should be at the top and the bottom and in the
middle to promote good air circulation.
The biggest problem is an external fire. in a home or workshop you
must keep the area clear of other things that can catch fire. In the
case of the Dallas acetylene plant fire I saw this on TV at the time
-(chance of that was about zero) the explanation given is very
probably 100% wrong. Just a convenient way to try to limit
liability. One of my plants ( Greensboro, NC) a similar fire -very
destructive no injuries or casualties. that Fire as initially due to
an overfilled new cylinder. lost everything there. At a different
location (Hampton, Virginia) we had another fire building damage no
injuries only a few MC cylinders lost. Plant maintenance problem not
cylinder caused. over 35 years I had a limited oversight
responsibility for about a dozen of these plants.
I hated them. Jobs at these plants did not attract high bell curve
people. There were very few fires at customers . I investigated a
few-- fire was always started by other than the cylinder that became
involved- external fire initiated. again no injuries. some could have
hurt fire fighters in one but danger points was past before response.
Place customer ( City of Chicago truck maintenance garage) showed me
supposed to be where incident took place was definitely not where it
did ??? it was probably in a trash fire someplace else. Political
cover up.
My husband bought a metal cabinet with locking doors and louvered
vents to store all our gas cans, small propane tanks, etc. out doors.
This makes sense to me. It is said that vandals will use available
flammables to torch a house, so locking might be a good precaution.
Our cabinet sits next to the garage, nestled right up to the wall,
under the overhanging eaves. It seems to have been made for just this
purpose.
I hope I’m not repeating someone. There is one reason why propane
tank have problems. There escape valve.
This also has to do with the cold. If you get someone to fill your
tank in the winter, and they over fill it.!!??!!
It will not leak, until you bring it into the house and the tank
warm up and thus expands the gas. Which results in the pressure
rising
past the escape valve pressure limit.
The tank will then start leaking gas into your house. Boom! If your
not paying attention.
So if your tank is rated at twenty pounds, it’s not good to put 22
1/2 pounds in it.
That’s why they use them on grills outside. Storing them outside is
not a problem if you keep them in a clean dry place. Even in Canada.