Transporting propane cylinders is a task most of us, or our customers, have done countless times. Show  The safest way to secure a propane cylinder in a vehicle is with a trusted propane tank holder and stabilizer. (Photo: iStock.com/Maudib/uscourts.gov) Every individual who utilizes a propane grill, powers a generator or needs propane to heat home space or water has had a tank refilled and placed into a personal vehicle. But are your customers doing this the right way? To be more specific, are they doing this the safe way? Propane retailers should take it upon themselves to educate customers about safety practices for transporting propane cylinders. Let’s consider a few key points to make sure they understand before driving off your lot. A person must carry no more than four propane cylinders in a sedan or SUV at one time. No single cylinder should contain a propane capacity of more than 45 pounds, and the total combined weight of all the cylinders in an enclosed vehicle should not exceed 90 pounds. All propane cylinders must be secured in the vertical and upright position. The safest way to secure a propane cylinder in a vehicle is with a trusted propane tank holder and stabilizer. These tank holders fit tightly around the propane cylinder – or lock into the cylinder’s foot ring – making them safe and secure. Many people prefer using a milk crate. Crates are sturdy and will keep the cylinders in the vertical position. Securing a propane cylinder with rope, twine or a ratchet strap is also acceptable, but make sure customers have a good anchor point in their car. Customers may transport up to 1,000 pounds of propane in the back of an open pickup truck or trailer. However, the propane cylinders must still be transported in the vertical and upright position. A 100-pound propane cylinder is heavy and should be loaded carefully and with the help of another person. A full 100-pound cylinder can actually weigh up to 180 pounds, so be sure to assist customers in getting these into the back of their truck or trailer safely. Once the propane cylinder is loaded into the back of the truck, find the anchor points. Educate your customer to use twine, rope or other tie-downs to secure the cylinder at the base, near the foot ring and at the top to secure the cylinder in the vertical, upright position. There are ratchet straps and other tie-downs available for people who are not comfortable tying knots. Though forklift cylinders are designed to be used in the horizontal position, make sure customers know the cylinders should still be transported in the vertical position. When secured to a forklift, there is a pin that locks the cylinder into a specific position, keeping the pressure relief valve in the vapor space of the cylinder. If transported on its side, the cylinder may roll and shift the pressure relief valve to the bottom, in the liquid space of the cylinder. If a customer is trying to transport a 100-pound propane cylinder in a sedan or SUV, or if the customer positions the tank on its side, take a moment to educate customers on why this is not safe and the hazards that could come from improper transportation of a propane cylinder. Help them correct their mistake or keep their cylinder for them until they can return with the proper equipment and/or vehicle. For your safety – and that of your customers – always perform a quality pre-fill inspection before filling a cylinder and wear personal protective equipment at all times. These are just a few tips to keep in mind the next time you sell or fill a propane cylinder. Safety should always be priority No. 1, and that begins with propane knowledge. John Barnett is autogas sales representative for Suburban Propane. NOTE: The opinions and viewpoints expressed herein are solely the author’s and should in no way be interpreted as those of LP Gas magazine or any of its staff members.
Is there any reason why a propane or butane cylinder can't be used in the horizontal position. I have seen them fitted horizontally on the back of fork lift trucks but other wise they seem to be used upright, who would I ask for a definite answer
NO
The ones used on fork lift trucks are designed to be used horizontally with an internal tube extending to the high point. Gas is drawn off from the void above the liquid. By lying a conventional bottle on its side you will draw off liquid, which will burn with extremely large flames.
Is there any reason why a propane or butane cylinder can't be used in the horizontal position. I have seen them fitted horizontally on the back of fork lift trucks but other wise they seem to be used upright, who would I ask for a definite answer Not a normal cylinder - the shaped ones used on FLTs are specially modified.
The ones used on fork lift trucks are designed to be used horizontally with an internal tube extending to the high point. Gas is drawn off from the void above the liquid. By lying a conventional bottle on its side you will draw off liquid, which will burn with extremely large flames. I am intrigued by that. Those I have seen in
adjacent companies' fork lifts have no obvious constraints on the rotational orientation of the cylinders. Is there a gravity seeking mechanism inside? I always assumed that the output was in liquid form and gasification took place in the vehicles fuel system.
I am intrigued by that. Those I have seen in adjacent companies' fork lifts have no obvious constraints on the rotational orientation of the cylinders. Is there a gravity seeking mechanism inside? I always assumed that the output was in liquid form and gasification took place in the vehicles fuel system. what would happen once
the cylinder was 1/2 full
I am intrigued by that. Those I have seen in adjacent companies' fork lifts have no obvious constraints on the rotational orientation of the cylinders. Is there a gravity seeking mechanism inside? I always assumed that the output was in liquid form and gasification took place in the vehicles fuel system. There is a locating hole
on the bottle that only allows it to be positioned correctly. Info here http://fork-truck.org.uk/uploads/files/IyUkBLPG_Guide_to_Safe_Refuelling.pdf
I am intrigued by that. Those I have seen in adjacent companies' fork lifts have no obvious constraints on the rotational orientation of the cylinders. Is there a gravity seeking mechanism inside? I always assumed that the output was in liquid form and gasification took place in the vehicles fuel system. Researching further,
it looks like you are correct. Correct orientation of the bottle is not to ensure that gas is drawn off the top, but liquid is drawn off the bottom until the bottle is empty. http://www.propane101.com/forkliftcylindermounting.htm We live and learn! Last edited: 30 Oct 2014
The horizontal ones are certainly available. They usually have feet so they are mounted correctly. The ones I have seen look very much like a standard cylinder ..... I don't sail in the UK anymore so I don't know if you have any gas filling stations rather than bottle swaps .... Obviously you might have trouble swapping them.
DON'T use normal cylinders on their side. Either butane or propane. Regardless of make or brand. As stated, your system is designed to withdraw the gas off the top, not liquid. FLT cylinders are designed for liquid withdrawal, and have a dip tube to enable that. They have a marking on the base to indicate which way up. Do not think you can just use a FLT
cylinder on its side but with a normal regulator. End of.
Interesting point raised recently on another thread about whether it is safe to use bottled gas at sea because the bottle is likely to being shook up and liquid could be thrown by the boat's motion at the outlet valve causing liquid gas in the Regulator. We do use gas at sea and haven't noticed a problem as yet.
Companies like Gasit make refillable horizontal gas out tanks for fitting on caravans and motorhomes. Theyeven have an 80% fill cut of when correctly positioned.
savageseadogWell-known memberJoined19 Jun 2005Messages23,245 DON'T
use normal cylinders on their side. Either butane or propane. Regardless of make or brand. As stated, your system is designed to withdraw the gas off the top, not liquid. FLT cylinders are designed for liquid withdrawal, and have a dip tube to enable that. They have a marking on the base to indicate which way up. Do not think you can just use a FLT cylinder on its side but with a normal regulator. End of. The reason for the liquid draw off is that the gas flow would be limited by the evaporation of the gas from liquid, the cylinder would freeze and flow would cease, the flow is far higher than a cooker burner. The evaporator powered by the engine cooling system generates the gas.
The reason for the liquid draw off is that the gas flow would be limited by the evaporation of the gas from liquid, the cylinder would freeze and flow would cease, the flow is far higher than a cooker burner. The evaporator powered by the engine cooling system generates the gas. Yes you're quite right. One aspect that hasn't been mentioned is the burst plug fitted to cylinders. If
cylinders are not stored correctly, and the burst plug is submersed in liquid, serious overpressure can result and the cylinder can hydraulically fail catastrophically and without warning. See here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0jtD_OWLU Mess around with it at your peril.
Is there any reason why a propane or butane cylinder can't be used in the horizontal position. It might have been an idea for the first line of your post not to ask the exact opposite question to the title. My answer is
don't do it!
If cylinders are not stored correctly, and the burst plug is submersed in liquid, serious overpressure can result and the cylinder can hydraulically fail catastrophically and without warning. Mess around with it at your peril. That is interesting as here you talked about position of the stored bottle (as opposed to the bottle
position when connected to the gas line and in use) and it seems vertical orientation when stored is equally as important? I store horizontally but use vertically, it seems I am wrong to store horizontally? Rob
LPG cylinders must be both stored, transported and used vertically. There is guidance from the BCGA (British Compressed Gases Association) which is the trade body representing all the industrial and LPG gases companies, however the guidance isn't free. I do have an old training video conveying this message, regarding some people having a barbecue and transporting
the cylinder home in their car - but that's not much use to you on a forum I'm afraid! It's no problem at sea or going over waves etc, the sploshing around isn't really an issue as long as the cylinder is always kept nominally upright. It's Also very important to keep cylinders out of direct sunlight.
LPG cylinders must be both stored, transported and used vertically. There is guidance from the BCGA (British Compressed Gases Association) which is the trade body representing all the industrial and LPG gases companies, however the guidance isn't free. I do have an old training video conveying this message, regarding some people having a barbecue
and transporting the cylinder home in their car - but that's not much use to you on a forum I'm afraid! It's no problem at sea or going over waves etc, the sploshing around isn't really an issue as long as the cylinder is always kept nominally upright. It's Also very important to keep cylinders out of direct sunlight. So there you are on a building site in the summer with 2 x 104Lb bottles running a asphalt pot. i have never ever seen bottles covered to protect then from the sun
Joined27 Sep 2011Messages302 Interesting - that new Lehr outboard seems to have the propane pretty horizontal - but it is one of the disposable ones. Not sure how that works either with the Lehr.
One aspect that hasn't been mentioned is the burst plug fitted to cylinders. Don't think you will find one on a Camping Gaz cylinder ? Can you rest a propane tank on its side?NEVER keep a filled propane cylinder inside a hot vehicle. ALWAYS transport a cylinder in a secure, upright position so it will not fall, shift, or roll when you're driving. It is dangerous to travel with a tank on its side, so it's extremely important to keep the propane tank in a vertical position during transport.
Why can't you lay down a propane tank?A propane leak is never desirable but, if one should occur, the most seriuos thing to happen would be a leak of propane in its liquid form if the cylinder is lying down. Propane becomes highly flammable when mixed with air. If there¡¯s a spark it will explode.
Can you mount propane tanks horizontally?Horizontal Propane Tanks (Aluminum or Steel)
These tanks must be filled in the vertical position and can be transported in either the vertical or the horizontal position. But must be used in the horizontal position, the float unit inside the tank has been designed to work in the horizontal position only.
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Can a propane tank be used on its side
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