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Topic ClosedPropane tank transportation safety?
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Propane tank transportation safety?
    Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 8:33am
Yep, or in a car trunk or the back of an SUV either. I think the difference between the RV code and the propane transport code is probably that transport is an occasional event while the RV is intended for semi-continuous occupancy so is expected to meet a higher safety standard. Its also a manufactured product so subject to factory inspections while casual transport of propane cylinders is not. 

Anyhow unless there is a different state or local code somewhere its all good from a regulatory perspective to secure your cylinder (or 2) in the locked cap, trunk, back of an SUV, whatever. 

The safety of that practice is for the user to decide. Myself, i wouldn't leave a cylinder in there indefinitely with no ventilation especially not in hot weather. 
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 8:54am
So to sum it all up, if the propane tank is in or on the RV, the valve needs to be accessible so someone can turn it off in a conflagration.  But if the tank [provided the quantity limit is not exceeded] is in a locked passenger vehicle, no valve access is mandated.  I guess this makes sense, since few would leave a propane in the trunk of his car with the valve in the open position; at least someone who wishes for his/her continued existence.  

And here I was all set to throw my body in front of my chained propane tank [with an accessible valve] signs at the ready [Chains Keep People Honest!], ready to be arrested by Fire Marshal Bob, in the noble cause of protecting one's tanks from pilferage and now it's all a pointless cause because it's perfectly legal.  So much for civil disobedience.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 9:14am
One would presume that the intent is to be able to turn off the propane valve in the RV to avoid a conflagration rather than during it....otherwise I agree with your summary. 

BTW, every time I go through one of the bridge tunnels in Norfolk (they're bridges combined with tunnels rather than just bridges so an enemy can't bottle up the Navy by bombing the bridges) I have to stop for inspection and physically show them that my propane valves are off, so it really is about minimizing the risk of gas release in the event of an accident or other system failure in the tunnel.
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 10:25am
Good thing I'm out west where we don't have inspections when we cross bridges or enter tunnels.  i've crossed the Benicia Bridge several times with our Pod and once the exorbitant toll is extracted from my wife's purse, we are left free to go on our merry way with the propane tank valve open keeping the beer nice and cold in the fridge.  That bridge, in the event of a collapse for whatever reason, would basically stop all traffic up the Sacramento River.  

I think I'll have to try the Golden Gate Bridge and see if they make me turn off the propane tank.  
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 11:19am
Norfolk is unique, shallow water and the largest naval base in the world. Any big naval bases in the Sac Valley these days? Used to be Mare Island but isn't that residential now? 
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 11:30am
Nope, the Navy pulled out of SF.  The harbor was too defensible.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 12:04pm
This is interesting:

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Tunnels that go down hill have restrictions to stop and make sure propane is turned off. Tunnels that rise slightly have no restrictions.

Virginia tunnels go down under the water. Propane is heavier than air and in theory could pool in the very bottom of the tunnels. So you need to stop and tell an inspector they are turned off.

Most tunnels that go thru mountains have a slight rise to the middle. That's why you don't have to stop for most of those tunnels.

LP-GAS PROHIBITED:

Maryland/Baltimore:

Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry (I-95) tunnels. Alternate route for RVs with propane over the Francis Scott Key Bridge is I-695.

Massachusetts/Boston Harbor:

All tunnels.

New York/East River:

Between Manhattan and Brooklyn: Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.

Between Manhattan and Queens: Queens Midtown Tunnel.

New York and New Jersey/Hudson River:

Between Manhattan and Jersey City: Holland Tunnel.

Between Manhattan and Fort Lee: Lower level George Washington Bridge (I-95 South) and George Washington Bridge Expressway. Lower level Verrazano Narrows Bridge.

Between Manhattan and Weehawken: Lincoln Tunnel.

LP-GAS RESTRICTIONS:

Virginia/Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel: RVs equipped with ICC-approved compressed cooking tanks not exceeding two 45-pound capacity tanks (or two permanently mounted containers with maximum total capacity of 200 pounds) may cross the facility provided that, in the opinion of the toll collector or police sergeant after inspection, the tanks are completely shut off and securely attached.

Texas/Houston Ship Channel: Washburn Tunnel between Pasadena and Galena Park: Maximum of two 7½-gallon containers (30 pounds gas each) or one 10-gallon container (40 pounds gas) of DOT (ICC)-approved type, with shutoff valve at discharge opening. Valve must be closed when in tunnel. LP-gas as vehicle fuel prohibited. 7½-gallon containers (30 pounds gas each) or one 10-gallon container (40 pounds gas) of DOT (ICC)-approved type, with shutoff valve at discharge opening. Valve must be closed when in tunnel. LP-gas as vehicle fuel prohibited.
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Posts: 2702 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 12:18pm
Originally posted by lostagain

I think I'll have to try the Golden Gate Bridge and see if they make me turn off the propane tank.  
We've been across the GGB a few times, and were not even slowed down (tolls are 100% automated now; no humans, no slowing down). The toll for our 3-axle configuration is $22 southbound, free northbound.
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 2:15pm
Yes, it makes more sense to charge to enter San Francisco; same with the Bay Bridge.  In fact, all toll bridges in CA are in one direction.  I guess they figure what goes up, must come down.  

And a number of tunnels have flammable tanker restrictions or prohibitions, but I'm not aware of any restrictions on RV propane tanks, whether turned off or on.
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Nov 2018 at 2:34pm
With the exception of the GW and Verrazano Narrows bridges in NYC it looks like its only underwater downward sloping tunnels that have prohibitions or inspections for RV propane. Nothing west of the Houston ship channel tunnels. 
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