Time to Recycle
Those Old Propane Tanks:
A New Safety Requirement Makes Millions
of Tanks Obsolete
In an effort to enhance safety for millions of users of gas grills,
turkey fryers, camp stoves, RVs and patio heaters, NFPA (National Fire
Protection Association) safety codes will soon require overfill protection
devices (OPDs) in propane cylinders before they can be filled. When the
OPD requirement takes effect April 1, 2002, the estimated 40 million
standard 20-pound cylinders that do not have OPDs will require
retrofitting before refilling or become obsolete.
Millions of consumers will soon require a safe means of discarding
obsolete cylinders and obtaining full OPD-equipped cylinders to power
their propane appliances. Not all fill centers provide OPD cylinders for
purchase or have the technology for retrofitting cylinders with an OPD
valve – a process that may cost more than a new OPD cylinder. However,
most exchange outlets, which total 50,000 locations nationwide, have
capacities to retrofit or recycle obsolete cylinders and will provide
upgrades to OPD cylinders. Cylinders without an OPD valve have either
a round or star-shaped hand wheel.
SOURCE:
The above is a quote from a recent Blue Rhino press release.
The full press release, entitled Safety Valve Requirement Will Make 40 Million Propane
Cylinders Obsolete, is available at www.BlueRhino.com/press.htm.
For a Listing of Massachusetts Companies Accepting 20 lb. Propane
Tanks for Recycling:
www.state.ma.us/dep/recycle/hazards/propane.htmYou
may also want to consider the following company that serves all of
Massachusetts: Tank
Recyclers, contact – Michael Gray at 888-445-0579 x2145 or mgray@yankeefireplace.com
For More Information About the New Regulation Visit:
Blue Rhino - http://www.bluerhino.com/cylobsolete.htm
This propane tank retailer and exchange service provides info about the
new regulation.
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) - www.nfpa.org
The mission of the international
non-profit NFPA is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other
hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically
based consensus codes and standards, research, training and education.
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) - www.npga.org
The national trade
association representing the propane industry.
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