Propane Tanks and the Law for Dummies

Propane tank distance regulations

While researching today's nomination, one of our staffers ran across a scary situation. It seems that, if you ask the nice people at eHow, errr, Leaf Group, about propane tank regulations; chances are pretty good that you're going to find the same post (especially for Maryland or Virginia). That'd probably be acceptable except that the freelancer who shat this particular post upon the page was repeat DotD Alexis Writing. Unfortunately, her post at HomeSteady.com, "Propane Gas Tank Regulations,"¹ was chosen by Leaf Group to answer questions about all states. The problem? Her "answer" was bogus.

Writing (one has to assume such an on-the-nose name is a pseudonym) has been here before, covering a broad array of topics for eHow. We suspect she also wrote at wiseGEEK under the handle Alexis W. This is the first time we've found Alexis attempting to provide quasi-legal advice, and her take on the topic is questionable at best. How else would you describe someone who starts out with the bogus statement that,

"Propane, also called liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a hydrocarbon that is considered a clean fuel because it is almost totally free of odor and color..."

In the first place, that's not why propane is considered "clean": it's considered clean because burning the stuff results in the release of less carbon dioxide and pollutants like sulfur dioxide than, say, fuel oil or coal. For that matter, propane is only a component of LPG, which is any gaseous hydrocarbon (or combination of gaseous hydrocarbons) pressurized to a liquid form. Of course, that's merely stupidity about the terminology and definitions; it's when Alexis gets to actually discussing regulations that she truly goes all doofus. We're talking about such points as,

"...regulations pertain to distance, permits and tank size."

That left our staffers scratching their heads, particularly over the notion of "distance." Distance to or from what, Alexis? Writing goes on to inform her readers that,

"The distance between connection and disconnection points of the tank and the distance between the safety valve and the vent are also important, and these points must be at least 10 feet from any residential building, since when the tank is filled, the hose is disconnected and gas may escape."

WTF are "connection and disconnection points," anyway? We looked at her reference, and what it actually says is, "The point of transfer is defined as 'the location where connections and disconnections are are made...'" Nice job of rewording, NOT! Last, but not least, there's this big of sage "advice" about preparing a site for a propane tank:

"Propane tanks are normally placed under the ground, so an appropriate ditch must be dig. The size of the ditch is also regulated by municipality and varies from location to location. In most places, after a ditch is dug, you are required to install a concrete pad that the propane tank will rest on..."

We wouldn't say "normally" so much as weld say "sometimes." More to the point, we're pretty certain that Alexis conflated the instructions for an above-ground tank (note the mention of concrete pads) and a trench for the supply line with burying a propane tank. Sheesh.

All in all, Writing compiled a remarkably clueless synopsis of the regulations for siting and installing a propane tank. Sadly, several different (and somewhat more accurate) posts now redirect to the schlock our Dumbass of the Day posted. Be forewarned, people!

¹ The original has been deleted by Leaf Group, but can still be accessed using the Wayback machine at archive.org. Its URL was   ehow.com/list_5921617_propane-gas-tank-regulations.html

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