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Safety Tips from the Heart of America Metro Fire Chiefs Council
Propane Cylinder Overfilling Prevention Devices
An Overfilling Protection Device (OPD) is a safety shutoff device incorporated into the filling valve of a propane cylinder (i.e., those used on gas grills, RV’s, etc.). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has reported that the overfilling of propane cylinders can result in propane release, fire and possibly injury.
- Starting on April 1, 2002, propane vendors are not allowed to fill propane cylinder tanks that are not equipped with an Overfill Protection Device (OPD).
- Overfill Protection Devices (OPD) are required on all propane cylinders between 4 pounds and 40 pounds propane capacity. A common residential gas grill holds about 20 pounds of propane.
- All cylinders manufactured after September 30, 1998 were required to have OPD’s. Most cylinders with a triangular valve have an OPD. Some early model cylinders were produced with a round wheel and stamped OPD; however, most cylinders with a round wheel do not have an OPD.
- Many cylinders can be retrofitted by many propane dealers by having them replace the valve with a new one incorporating an OPD. Since there is a cost associated with this, it may be more economincal to replace the entire cylinder with one equipped with an OPD.
- Dispose of old propane cylinders in a safe manner. Contact your local fire department, propane refillers, or the Missouri Propane Education and Research Council, Inc., at 1-800-601-9332 if you have any questions.
Contacts:
Floyd Peoples, Chief Fire Marshal, Kansas City, Mo., Fire Department, 816-784-9100
Heart of America Metro Fire Chiefs Council, 9550 W. 95th St., Overland Park, Kan. 66212