Technical & Safety > Gas Safety
Gas Safety
Composition
Hazards
First Aid Measures
Fire Fighting Measures
Accidental Release Measures
Handling and Storage
Personal Protection Exposure Controls & Personal Protection
Physical / Chemical Properties
Stability and Reactivity
Toxicological Information
Ecological Information
Disposal Considerations
Transport Information
Regulatory Identification
Other Identification
- Product Identification
Material Safety Data Sheet - Important Information covering first-aid procedures, emergency procedures, hazards, handling requirements, exposure limits, protective clothing, and properties.Product Name: Propane | Butane Supplier: Flogas Airport Road West Belfast BT3 9ED Tel No: +44 28 9073 2611
TOP - Composition
Product Description: Propane/Butane mixed with other hydrocarbons with added stenching agent. Risk Phrases Applicable: F+, R12.
TOP - Hazards
Risk Phrase (R12): Extremely Flammable- Under normal conditions of handling, storage and use of propane containers, the risk of hazardous exposure is small.
- Direct contact of liquid propane with the skin may cause frostbite or cold burns. Handling precautions should be observed.
- Propane vapour is heavier than air and therefore vapour releases will collect in confined spaces.
- Inhalation of vapours in small amounts may cause headaches, nausea, drowsiness; larger amounts may act as an asphyxiant.
- First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove immediately to fresh air; if necessary administer artificial respiration. Obtain medical attention. Skin contact: In case of cold burns drench with water and obtain medical attention. Eye contact: Wash eyes thoroughly with copious quantities of water and obtain immediate medical attention. Ingestion: Unlikely to occur.
TOP - Fire Fighting Measures
Extinguishing media: Do not attempt to extinguish the fire until source is shut off, then allow to burn out. Extinguish small residue fires with dry powder. Special Fire Fighting Procedure Shut off gas supply at source. Use water to keep fire-exposed containers cool and to protect personnel effecting the shut-off. If a leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse vapour and to protect personnel effecting the shut-off. Hazardous Combustion Product Smoke and carbon monoxide may be formed in the event of incomplete combustion.
TOP - Accidental Release Measures
Treat any spillage as a potential fire and explosion risk. Evacuate all personnel from the area. Remove ignition sources and ensure sufficient ventilation. Provided it is safe to do so, isolate the source of the leak.
Do not attempt to wash into drains; liquid spills will rapidly evaporate. Vapours should be allowed to disperse under safe conditions.
TOP - Handling and Storage
Propane Cylinder Handling & Storage:
Always store and transport cylinders in an upright position. Never store or use below ground level. Storage should be well ventilated, preferably outdoors. Do not use or store cylinders in residential buildings. Do not smoke or use naked flames in storage area or whilst changing cylinders.Always switch off valves and replace safety plugs when the cylinder is empty or not in use. Personnel should be instructed in the potential hazards of LPG, safe handling of cylinders and emergency procedures.
Propane Bulk Storage Tanks:
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Store and use only in vessels designed for use with propane. Vessels must be sited in well-ventilated areas away from heat and sources of ignition. Weeds, rubbish and other combustible materials must not be allowed to accumulate around the vessel. - Exposure Controls & Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limit:
Propane:
1000ppm TWA for 8 hours/day.
Butane:
600ppm TWA for 8 hours/daySkin Protection
Thick impervious gloves and suitable overalls should be used to prevent cold burns caused by rapid evaporation on the skin or from contact with cold metal.Eye Protection:
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Face visor or chemical gogglesshould be worn when making or breaking pipe or valve connections containing liquid propane. - Physical / Chemical Properties
Appearance & Odour:
Colourless liquid stored under pressure. Strong characteristic odour due to presence of stenching agent.Butane Propane Boiling point -2 C to 0 C. -48 C to 42 C. Vapour Pressure @ 20 c: 1.1 Bar @ 20 c: 8.6 Bar< Vapour Density 2.0 (Air = 1) 1.56 (Air = 1) Solubility in water @ 20 C Negligible @ 20 C Negligible Density of liquid 0.58 g/ml @ 15 C 0.5 - 0.53 g/ml Flammable limits(lower) 1.8% v/v 2.2% v/v Flammable limits(upper) 10% v/v 10% v/v Auto ignition Temp: Approx. 500 C. Approx. 500 C.
TOP - Stability and Reactivity
Conditions to avoid: Keep away from heat and ignition sources. Materials to avoid: Avoid contact with strong oxidising agents. Hazardous decomposition Product Incomplete combustion will generate hazardous gases including carbon monoxide.
TOP - Toxicological Information
Inhalation: Negligible hazard at ambient/normal handling temperatures. Inhalation of low concentration vapours may cause headaches, nausea, and drowsiness. Abuse involving deliberate inhalation of very high concentrations of vapour, even for short periods, can produce unconsciousness and or result in sudden fatality. Skin contact: Liquid splashes or spray may cause cold burns. Eye contact: Liquid splashes or spray may cause cold burns, seriously damaging the eyes.
TOP - Ecological Information
Persistence & Degradability: Propane/Butane is unlikely to cause long-term adverse effects in the environment. Bioaccumulative Potential: Propane/Butane does not bioaccumulate. Acquatic toxicity: Unlikely to cause long-term effects in the acquatic environment. Disposal Considerations
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Do not dispose of any LPG container. Return all Flogas cylinders/bulk vessels to Flogas or their authorised agent. Empty containers represent a fire hazard as they may contain flammable product residues and vapours. Never weld, solder or braze empty containers.- Transport Information
Butane Propane U.N. Number 1101 1978 ADR/RID Class 2; Item No. 3(b) Class 2; Item No. 3(b) Hazard Identification 23 23 Emergency Action Code Flammable Gas, 2WE Flammable Gas, 2WE
TOP - Regulatory Identification
All information contained within this data sheet is in accordance with the following Directives/Regulations:Chemicals (Hazards Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993. Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulation 1988
EC Labelling Classification: F+ (Extremely Flammable) Risk Phrases: R12 Extremely Flammable. Safety Phrases: S9 Keep containers in well ventilated areas. S16 Keep away from sources of ignition. No smoking.
TOP - Other Identification
Uses: Multi-purpose fuel.
The data supplied in this Material Safety Data Sheet applies only when the product is used in the manner and for the purposes specified.
For additional information on the use of this product contact Flogas.If you have purchased the product for supply to a third party, it is your duty to pass on the information given in this data sheet; if the third party is not an employer it is his duty to pass this information to the employer of whoever uses or handles the product.
It is an employer's duty to advise and instruct his employees handling the product of any hazards associated with it and any precautions which should be taken to ensure safe handling of the product.
Issued January 1995.
