Message from South Frontenac Fire & Rescue – Shortages on Propane

Over the last two weeks, SFFR has been involved with 9 incidents due to empty propane tanks. When your tank is low/empty during the cold, it has low pressure and the furnace will not operate properly. It will continuously attempt to turn on filling the house with a strong smell (Ethyl mercaptan or ethanethiol). The leak detecting chemical is a colourless, harmless compound that provides a strong, pungent, sulfur-like odour - often described as rotten eggs or a skunk's spray. 

The smell tends to settle in the tanks and creates nasty smells when tanks are low. The amount left in the tank may be enough for a propane stove top to start, but there is not enough pressure to operate a furnace or gas fireplace. Your furnace will continue to attempt to ignite which will cause incomplete combustion which may trigger carbon monoxide alarms. 

The temperature in the home will drop. Propane hot water tanks will go into safe mode.  All this can be avoided by checking the level in your tank and advising your provider if you’re below 30%.  Four of the incidents we attended had remote monitoring to advise the company when the levels are low and they still ran out. This applies to residents, cottages, and businesses – please be sure to watch your propane tank levels.