Propane - Heaters and Roofing

Packaged under pressure, propane gas presents three hazards if misused:

  • high flammability and explosive potential
  • displacement of breathable air in confined spaces (also, being heavier than air, propane will collect in low areas)
  • contact injury from accidental exposure to a substance under high pressure

General Propane Use and Storage

Propane is combustible and toxic. When storing propane, use suitable storage cylinders and keep the containers secured and upright.

No propane container can be closer than 3 metres to a source of ignition or fire unless it:

  • forms part of hand-held propane equipment,
  • forms part of a lead pot used in plumbing or electrical work,
  • forms part of a propane-powered or propane-heated vehicle, or
  • is protected from a source of ignition by a barrier, wall or other means of separation.

The control valve of a storage cylinder for compressed gas must be covered by a protective cap that is secured in the proper position, except when the cylinder is connected to a regulator, supply line or hose. When it is practical, flammable liquids or gases, like propane, must be safely stored in appropriate buildings or tanks at least 100 metres from any explosives. There should only be one day’s supply of propane in a building or structure on a project. Exceptions may be made when a safe and appropriate propane container is stored in a controlled access area or a room that is far enough from all exits and has enough window area for explosion relief to the outside.

Portable containers must be evaluated and authorized as safe for storing propane by a recognized testing laboratory. The containers must be labelled with all approved uses and the name of the testing facility.

After they are used, the spent cylinders must be stored outside.

Roofing and Heating

Workers must be competent to operate a hot tar or bitumen roadtanker or kettle. If a hot tar or bitumen roadtanker or kettle is fitted with a propane-fuelled heater:

  • the propane cylinder may not be closer than 3 metres to a source of fire or ignition
  • the lines connecting the propane cylinder to the heater cannot come into contact with the hot tar or bitumen
  • fire extinguishers with a rating of at least 4A40BC must accompany it
  • A propane burner used on a bitumen roadtanker or kettle must have a thermal rating at or below that recommended by the manufacturer. The propane burner’s parts must be suitable for their intended use.

Construction Projects
O. Reg. 213/91

Part II GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Section 41

41. A combustible, corrosive or toxic substance shall be stored in a suitable container.

Section 42

42. (1) A storage cylinder for compressed gas shall be secured in an upright position.

(2) The control valve of a storage cylinder for compressed gas, other than a cylinder connected to a regulator, supply line or hose, shall be covered by a protective cap that is secured in its proper position.

(3) A spent storage cylinder shall not be stored inside a building.

(4) No storage cylinder for propane shall be placed closer than three metres to a source of ignition or fire.

(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to a storage cylinder,

(a) that forms part of hand-held propane equipment;

(b) that forms part of a lead pot used in plumbing or electrical work;

(c) that forms part of a propane-powered or propane-heated vehicle; or

(d) that is protected from a source of ignition by a barrier, wall or other means of separation.

Section 43

43. (1) A flammable liquid or gas shall be stored in a building or storage tank that is suitable for the purpose and, if practicable, not less than 100 metres from a magazine for explosives.

(2) No more than one work day's normal supply of a flammable liquid shall be stored in a building or structure on a project unless it is stored,

(a) in a container that is suitable for the particular hazards of the liquid; and

(b) in a controlled access area or a room,

(i) that has sufficient window area to provide explosion relief to the outside, and

(ii) that is remote from the means of egress from the building or structure.

(3) A portable container used to store or transport flammable liquids,

(a) shall be approved for use for that liquid by a recognized testing laboratory; and

(b) shall have a label stating the use for which the container is approved and the name of the testing laboratory which gave the approval required by clause (a).

Section 211

211. (1) Only a competent worker shall operate a hot tar or bitumen road tanker or kettle.

(2) If a hot tar or bitumen road tanker or kettle is fitted with a propane-fuelled heater,

(a) the storage cylinder for propane shall not be placed closer than three metres to a source of fire or ignition;

(b) the lines connecting the storage cylinder for propane to the heating device shall be located so that they do not come into contact with the hot tar or bitumen in the case of a spill or a failure of a component of the system; and

(c) a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada rating of at least 4A40BC shall be provided with the road tanker or kettle.

(3) A propane burner used on a bitumen road tanker or kettle,

(a) shall have a thermal rating no greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of the road tanker or kettle; and

(b) shall consist of components that are adequate for their intended use.

(4) Hot tar or bitumen shall be transferred from a road tanker to a kettle through enclosed piping.

Demolition and Damaged Structures