3 Common Reasons Old Propane Tanks Cause Code Problems
Posted on: 20 December 2018
If you move into an old house and there is an older propane tank on your property, it is always best to have the tank checked to ensure it is usable according to local codes and regulations. Because old propane tanks can pose a safety risk to the surrounding area, most city governments have property codes in place outlining what is deemed safe and appropriate. If you start using an old propane tank and it is discovered that you are violating some local code, you could be dealing with fines and other problems. Take a look at a few reasons why old propane tanks can cause code problems.
The propane tank is placed too close to the property boundaries.
Some locations have codes that state where on a property a propane tank can be placed in respect to the neighboring property boundaries. If you have a propane tank that sits right up against a neighbor's property line, for example, this could be a code violation.
The propane tank is out of certification because of its age.
Believe it or not, propane tanks kind of have an expiration date. If you look at your old propane tank and see a date on it, make sure you pay close attention to it. A propane tank has a certification date that shows when the tank was certified as safe. Because the regulations that govern what is deemed safe changes over the years, an old tank may have been certified before new regulations were formed.
The propane tank is situated too close to power lines.
Propane tanks that are situated above ground have to have so many feet of clearance from surrounding power lines. The close proximity of a power line could be a safety threat if the tank were to leak. If the old tank was put in long before the power lines, the two of them could be situated too close to each other for the tank to be put back into use.
The propane tank has a date plate that is not legible.
If the certification date on the metal plate on the tank is not legible because it has been damaged or is deteriorated, this could also yield a code violation in some places. There is no way to tell specifically when the tank was certified or by what entity, which means the tank could be in a defunct state. You should call a company like Taylor Gas Company Inc to look into getting a new tank.
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