What happens when you disconnect a quick release?

Started by Enchanted Cobwebs, January 03, 2011, 09:49:41 AM

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Enchanted Cobwebs

I'm going to get quick releases so I can take the propane out when I'm finished each session. Under normal circumstances I'd bleed the pipe to burn off all the gas before I'd disconnect but I just thought of something else. What if there was a fire and I decided to take the gas out as I'm going (assuming I thought it safe). I'd turn off at the torch and at the bottle and disconnect at the quick release as wouldnt have time to wait till the gas burns off but where would the gas go in this situation?
Now I can play all day as I retired from the 'proper' job....
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AnnaSpanna

Propane is heavier than air and so it sinks to the floor and really just needs venting out of the room/building by opening the door for a few mins. There is a relatively minimal amount in the pipe even if not bled. Simply always burn/bleed the excess after every session. Even if you do this and then disconnect there will be a very tiny whiff of propane but I wouldn't worry about it too much.

personally if my house were on fire I wouldn't bother with risking going and picking up a gas canister that might explode in my hand and running outside with it - I would far rather retrieve the dog and other irreplaceables. Am not sure the firemen would be overly happy about the fact it were still inside!

Enchanted Cobwebs

So, I guess if there was a fire and I disconnected the quick releases I'd probably be making matters worse by providing gas for the fire to burn. I think I'd definitely try to turn the cylinder off as a priority, I'd be right beside it if its on, I turn off and bleed the pipe even if I need to leave it unattended for a minute to go to the loo!
Thanks
Helen
Now I can play all day as I retired from the 'proper' job....
http://www.enchantedcobwebs.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedCobwebs

Mand

The man at Calor Gas once told me that it would have get exceedingly hot before the cannister actually exploded. ;)

Steampunkglass

Quote from: Mand on March 22, 2011, 12:50:59 PM
The man at Calor Gas once told me that it would have get exceedingly hot before the cannister actually exploded. ;)
I remember someone mentioning an episode of 'Mythbusters' where they tried to make a gas canister explode, and found it was really difficult/near impossiable to do, although I didn't see the program myself.

Les

I saw it .... they had to practically blow it up to get it to explode, lol... very extreme ! Let me find the youtube video for it ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FHTXwpVMvs

;D

Steampunkglass

Quote from: Lesley Jane on March 22, 2011, 09:19:37 PM
I saw it .... they had to practically blow it up to get it to explode, lol... very extreme ! Let me find the youtube video for it ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FHTXwpVMvs

;D
;D ;D ;D Now thats how to start the morning, watching mad people shooting at propane tanks  ;D And it proves how really, really safe they are!

Les

I love the smell of napalm propane in the morning  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Enchanted Cobwebs

I think I have overcome my terror of keeping the propane in the house though when we go on holiday it will go outside. I think I have also decided against the quick releases until I'm in a place where the tank is outside. I've learned so much on here and thank you all again
Now I can play all day as I retired from the 'proper' job....
http://www.enchantedcobwebs.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EnchantedCobwebs

stuwaudby

Some relevant information here for you: http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=20013.0

The issue with a quick release on the bottle is that the downstream connector (male) is open. When disconnected any pressurised gas in the pipe will flow out. The hazard depends on the amount of gas which depends on the length of pipe. Venting down the pipe drops the pressure from 1 bar to atmospheric and halves the amount of gas present in the pipe. Gas will still flow from a vented pipe but at a very low rate.

Please do not keep a gas bottle in your house, the few seconds it takes to disconnect the regulator from the bottle and take the bottle outside could save your life. It is also against suppliers instructions (and technically the law) to keep propane in your house and therefore you may find that your house insurance is invalidated.

Jellybean

So is a quick release thingy a good or bad thing?
My intention is to have gas outside with pipe coming in through window or cat flap when working playing. A quick release would make this easier, but how easy would this be with the normal pipe? I don't have any knowledge or kit yet  :-\

Fiona

I have my torch in a room upstairs and put the hose out the window to connect to the gas using the quick release.  You just need the hose that attaches to your torch long enough to reach the gas canister. 

Shirley

A quick release in an excellent idea. It is a lot easier than having to unscrew from the main tank. As long as you bleed the propane in the hose by turning off the flow from the tank and letting it burn out you shouldn't have any problems with gas remaining when you disconnect.

As far as having the cylinder inside goes I don't believe it is illegal in this country, although I'm no expert. Whether it is advisable or not is another matter, but then you've said it will be outside anyway.
Val Cox Frit - Thai and Bali Silver 

stuwaudby

If the quick release is outside when you pop it then there is nothing to worry about so long as you are not lighting a cigarette at the same time. It would be safer to vent the pipe outside rather then bleed it indoors.

There is no criminal legal requirement to keep a gas bottle outside for domestic purposes. But would you do it knowing that it could kill you in your sleep? Your rental agreement with Calor states that you may not keep propane in a house which means that if you do so you be in breach of civil law, however the worst that would happen is that calor could sue you for a replacement bottle. Every piece of advice and guidance available will advise against keeping a bottle indoors.

You really need to review your house insurance policy and check for any "acting reasonably", "reasonable precautions", manufacturers guidelines or gas maintenance clauses.

If you are using the gas for any sort of business, i.e. selling beads or jewellery then Health and Safety at Work law applies, even though you are undertaking the activity in your house. HSE Law captures the gas bottle storage in a number of places, all of which are criminal law.