Be Familiar With Propane's Odour

When produced, propane is both colourless and odourless. An odourant called Ethyl Mercaptan is added so, in the event of a leak, you can detect the escaping gas by its strong, distinct smell (like rotten eggs, a skunk, or boiling cabbage). Ask your propane supplier to familiarize you and your family with this smell.

Under certain conditions, propane gas may lose its smell. This phenomenon, called "odour fade," can occur in any cylinder or tank if:

• propane is leaking underground;
• the odour sticks to the inside surfaces of pipes, valves, etc.;
• rust is present on the inside walls of a cylinder or tank.

The following are some circumstances that might make it difficult for some people to detect the smell of propane:

• Not everyone has a sense of smell, and physical conditions such as age, the effects of medications, alcohol or drugs, competing odours, common colds and, allergies or other medical conditions, smoking, etc., may lessen a person's ability to detect the odourant in propane gas.
• The smell of propane may not be strong enough to wake someone who is sleeping.
• If the smell of propane has been in the air for an extended duration, some people may become accustomed to the smell, making it more difficult to detect.

If you think the odour of your propane gas is weak, or if your sense of smell is impaired, call your propane supplier. A qualified service technician can verify the odour of the propane gas in your tank.

If you or a member of your family has concerns about your ability to smell propane, or if appliances are in an area of your home that isn’t frequently used, consider the purchasinge of a propane gas detector . Ensure the detector is certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). Follow the manufacturer’s directions to properly install and maintain the detector. But remember, while a detector may provide an extra measure of warning, it should never be relied upon as a substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of propane appliances.

If you smell propane in or outside your home, no matter how faint, always treat it as an emergency, whether the detector’s alarm is ringing or not.

Propane is heavier than air, so when checking for leaks, be aware that it gathers in low-lying areas such as floors, basements, and crawl spaces, etc. Propane can even travel with air currents to other areas of a building.

See also Treat Leaks and Suspected Leaks Seriously.