Your Safety and Propane Gas Refrigerators

Propane gas is a convenient and safe energy source, provided certain basic safety rules are followed. In order to use a propane gas refrigerator in a safely manner, it is important to have a good knowledge and understanding of the properties of this gas as well as of the operation features of this appliance.

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Some of the properties of propane gas

Propane gas:

• is heavier than air;
• requires a large volume of air for combustion;
• is flammable when its air concentration is between 2.4% and 9.5%;
• is not toxic in itself; however, poor combustion is likely to result in the production of carbon monoxide (CO), which can be fatal.

Propane gas is colourless and odourless. For safety reasons, it contains an odorizing agent enabling users to detect the gas if leaking. Propane is contained under pressure inside a recipient (cylinder) storing a great quantity of energy, with one part of the propane being liquid and the other part, gaseous. The liquid part is found on the bottom of the cylinder, and the gaseous or vapour part, in the upper cylinder.

Be patient!

Propane gas refrigerators are not as efficient as electrically-powered refrigerators. The cooling time for food is often longer, let alone when one stores at once a large quantity of non-refrigerated food items. Do not try to adjust your appliance by yourself as this might produce a release of carbon monoxide likely to cause discomfort if not a case of
serious intoxication!

Seasonal use

If a propane refrigerator is used for only a part of the year, it is essential that its burner be cleaned and, in some cases, adjusted before the appliance is first turned on again. Indeed, the burner and gas vent both can become obstructed with insect nests or rodents, rust debris, or some other materials, which will result in incomplete combustion of the fuel, thus causing the release of carbon monoxide.

When moving the appliance

Whenever the refrigerator has been moved, even for just a short distance, the burner must be cleaned, because moving the appliance will result in soot or rust deposits coming down from the wall of the vent and obstructing the burner, which will cause poor combustion. Any burner adjustment must be carried out by a person holding a certificate of competency in the field of gas-fired installations or equipment. Propane distributors will generally offer such maintenance services.

Look for a good ventilation

The combustion products of some types of propane gas refrigerators are released inside the space into which the appliance is used. Since carbon monoxide release may occur for various reasons, it is recommended to leave a window of the room where such a refrigerator is used cracked open at all times in order to ensure good supply of oxygen in the ambient air as well as the venting of the combustion products.

Quality of combustion

Some visual inspections will enable you to verify that the burner is correctly adjusted or not. The following three inspection points apply to all refrigerators operating on propane gas:

• The flame produced by the burner must be completely blue; if any part of it is of a yellow or orange colour, your burner requires some adjustment.
• At all times, the base of the flame must appear as if it “rests” firmly on the burner’s head.
• No object or matter must obstruct the vent or the chimney.

Mandatory carbon monoxide detector for all new installations

Since May 25, 1995, the regulations relating to installations intended for gas use provide that all new refrigerators operating on propane must be equipped with a detector capable of activating the shutting off of the gas supply when the burner produces carbon monoxide. This requirement applies to refrigerators which are not vented to the outside, whether these are for personal use, such as a residential use, or for commercial use, such as inside a rented building.

Any and all new propane refrigerator installations, including replacement installations, shall comply with this regulatory requirement. As for refrigerators installed before May 25, 1995, and which are used for commercial purposes, a carbon monoxide detector must be installed in the same room as the refrigerator’s and be maintained in good working order. This detector must be certified according to CSA 6.19 standard.

Carbon monoxide detector

A carbon monoxide detector is similar in appearance to a smoke detector, operates in a similar way (powered by a battery), and can be bought in hardware stores. Upon detecting this noxious gas, it emits an audible alarm to alert the occupants of the space. If this happens, do follow the instructions given in the paragraphs hereafter.

The signs of toxic hazard and what you must do...

• If your carbon monoxide detector emits an audible alarm;
• If you feel the following discomforts or symptoms, which are akin to symptoms of the flux, of food poisoning or of gastroenteritis, namely:
  • a prolonged headache,
  • tension at the forehead and to the temples,
  • itchy eyes,
  • a feeling of fatigue or tiredness and weakness,
  • some dizziness, nausea,
  • a loss of muscular control,
  • a reddening of the eyes

you must:

• Exit the area where the appliance is installed;
• Shut off the gas supply;
• Make sure the place is well ventilated;
• Contact the nearest emergency services if possible;
• Call upon a propane distributor, a contractor specialized in propane installations, or any person holding a certificate of competency in the field of gas-fired installations or equipment.

This person will see to make all necessary adjustments for an adequate combustion before reinstating the gas supply to your appliance. The signs of gas leak and what you must do...

If your propane refrigerator gives off a rotten egg-like smell (a sign of a possible gas leak), you must not:

• Operate any lighting source such as a flashlight, a match, a candle, etc.;
• Turn on any electrical switch;
• Smoke.

For further information

If you need any further information related to the safe use of your propane refrigerator, please contact your propane distributor, one of our of directions territoriales or our Centre de relation clientèle.