AB: Propane tank fire alert

The Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) issued an information bulletin on propane tank fires following an incident that occurred at a metal recycling facility in Alberta.

The facility received about 50 used propane cylinders and were being cut into pieces by hydraulic shears attached to a track hoe when the pressure boundary of one of the cylinders that still contained propane was breached. The propane inside quickly escaped, forming a propane vapour cloud and ignited a flash fire. The fire caused severe burns to the operator and damage to the yard and the track hoe.

ABSA, the pressure equipment safety authority in Alberta, emphasizes the importance of following the proper cylinder recycling process and that propane cylinders are to be drained and open to the atmosphere before being delivered to the salvage yard.