Always do your leak checks

[cowcharge]

www.wmtw.com/news/maine/York-County/Officials-say-Lebanon-explosion-was-caused-by-leak-in-propane-system/-/9284124/12178520/-/mkxle3z/-/index.html

April 29--LEBANON, Maine -- Fire and rescue crews were called to Salmon Falls River Camping Resort early Saturday morning after propane leak lead to an explosion, causing two individuals to suffer severe injuries.

At about 7:45 a.m., emergency responders were called to the campground located at 44 Natural High Rd. where they discovered a camping trailer fully engulfed in flames. As the fire appeared to have the potential to spread, personnel from three other communities were called, including South Berwick, Alfred and Rochester, N.H.

According to a press release, a male and a female were occupying the camper when the propane explosion happened, throwing both of them from the unit.

The female occupant, who is reported to be in her 60s, was transported by ambulance to Skydive New England to be taken by a Lifeflight of Maine helicopter. The male occupant, also said to be in his 60s, was brought by ambulance to Frisbie Memorial Hospital.

"The female was initially transported to Maine Medical Center, but may be further transported to a burn center in Boston," reads the press release.

Several camping units sustained damaged from the explosion, including shattered windows. It is reported that campers roughly 350 feet away from the scene had windows and doors blown open as a result of the explosion, and that residents from New Hampshire as far as 10 miles away contacted emergency officials to report feeling and hearing a large explosion.

The Salmon Falls River Family Camping Resort has approximately 200 camping lots as well as several recreational facilities, reads the press release.

"Fortunately the campground was not as full as it normally would be once open, or else there could have been many more injuries," said Assistant Chief Jason Cole in a press release. "The staff at the campground did an amazing job assisting us and keeping other people at the campground safe by keeping them back during the incident."

The early morning explosion is still under investigation by the Maine Fire Marshal's Office.

[dawgpound]

This is becoming a real big issue. There have been at least 5 RV propane explosions on the East Coast this year and we aren't even into Summer yet!

[thehorsepeople4]

The title of this thread says it all....."Always Do Your Leak Checks". I spent a career on the fire department and we checked all of our equipment every morning....even if it had not been used the shift before. Rolling stock...breathing apparatus...paramedic drug boxes and rescue gear. On our sailboat, we had checklists for coming on board...getting ready to sail...dropping sail in a storm...anchoring...you name it. It only takes one time to find something that will make a difference in the outcome of someone's life not working to make a believer out of you.

On our trailer, part of the setup check list is to leak check all Propane connections after the system has been charged. The thinking is that travel may have loosened a joint and all of ours are accessible. We'll turn the gas off at night and repeat the 2 minute process if we cook in the morning. A gas explosion in a confined space is a powerful event and is nothing to scoff at. The post is a good reminder to us all that we are directly responsible for our safety.

our59deville.blogspot.com/

[cowcharge]

Not that it would help in this instance (BOOM), but I'm glad I have a fire escape in the bedroom.

[universalexports]

so how do you check for a propane leak? is here a tool. I am all about safety.

[Hamlet]

There are a couple ways to check for a leak. The easiest is to use a soap solution that you paint on the possible offending part. It will bubble if there is a leak. There are even pre-mixed solutions in kits out there.

It's not a checklist, but here are some things we do every time we take Hamlet out>

Before we go
1. Go into the trailer and do a sniff test. If you smell ANYTHING out of the ordinary, use the soap solution to identify the leak, then fix it.
2. Check to see that the tank is firmly in place and won't loosen during the trip, even on bumpy roads.
3. Hand-tighten the valve in the closed position. Do not use a wrench or other tool that might crack or break the mechanism.
At camp:
1. Make sure all gas appliances and lamps are OFF.
2. When ready to use, turn the gas valve on.
3. Turn the valve off when appliances and/or lamps will not be used for more than an hour or two. Don't leave the trailer unattended with the main gas valve on.
4. ALWAYS keep the roof vent open when a lamp or appliance is lit.
5. Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach when using a lamp or appliance.
6. If you smell gas while in the camper, quickly, quietly leave the camper and turn the main valve off. Let the camper air out until odor is gone. DO NOT use anything that has a switch (electric or 12 volt) or anything that could produce a spark. Follow the procedure to check for leaks and fix.
7. Don't be afraid of your propane, but always respect it.
8. No matter how comfortable you feel with propane, NEVER be lazy about your safety. One of my high school teachers used to talk all the time about his beloved camper. A couple years after I graduated, I heard that he had died when it exploded with him in it.
1)

[Hamlet]

Oh, and when leaving:
1. Make sure tank is secure and valve is off.
2. Make sure all appliances and lamps are off.

At home:
Check everything one more time.

[cowcharge]

Do the old Compacts have a fire escape window? The rear half of my street side bedroom window is a single pane that flips up upon opening two latches on the sides. I plan to install a grab handle on the cabinets above it to accelerate exiting.

[vikx]

There are tools to check for gas leaks: the most important is your NOSE. If you smell gas (and it's made to be sure you do), there is a leak. If you smell gas and can't find the leak with soap bubbles, take it to an RV shop. They have a manometer to test the system and are very good at finding the leak...

Hardest one I ever had was a hairline crack in the nut at the refrigerator. So hard to see and wouldn't bubble, but the manometer said the pressure was dropping. Only took a couple of hours. grumble mumble, complain.