LP tank inside garage?

[Musky_Hunter]

Planning to do either LP ceiling mount heater or radiant tube LP heat. I’ve been considering keeping the 100lb LP tank in the corner. My wife thinks I’m crazy for doing this but I don’t really see the danger. Considering the cabinet that stores combustibles including gas is inside. The oxy torch setup is inside. What’s the difference in keeping a tank of LP in there also.

 

[flan]

The firemen that respond to houses with fires in them appreciate it if you would find somewhere else to store your propane tanks..

Google B.L.E.V.E.

 

[Bert_]

Why would you even want to?

Pretty sure the fuel code would say NO.

 

[mikegt4]

You will probably have an unwinnable code/insurance battle on your hands and the fuel supplier won't fill the tank unless you take it to them. Just set it outside, only a small tube from the tank through the wall to your heater. You could have a much larger tank as well (your going to need it). A lot of people around here use propane as supplemental fuel for a heat pump, they have tanks about 2-3 feet in diameter and 4' tall placed by the house. IIRC, there is a size limit for placing a tank next to the house which is about that size. Besides, you can use that garage space for the new drill press you have been wanting.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Wow, just wow! Listen to your wife she may save both your lives. I would no way store gas inside either, i have a detached shed for that and the act when not being used. I have to get a bunch of licenses for work to handle motor fuel, propane, oxy/act from nycfd and they have great experience on how it should be properly stored.

 

[nadogail]

Keep your trust and will updated, LP tanks should be in well ventilated outside storage.

 

[NUTTSGT]

A 20 lb tank on the grill is typical to see in a garage. Gas cans are normal to be seen in a home garage.

A 100lb cylinder, well, I do have a 275 fuel oil tank in my basement and I'd expect the same thing from the guys that protect my property. I doubt anybody is going to make entry if that things torches off. I'm pretty sure your garage will be a total loss.

I'd highly suggest that if you do store that inside and have a fire, let the arriving fire officer know about it.

 

[PoorUB]

Outside only! I don't like storing a BBQ sized tank inside!

Also the tank should bet ******* to something. Sink a 4x4 fence post in the ground and wrap a couple chains around the tank to the post. Set the tank on a concrete block so it is off the ground. or a couple chains to the side of the garage. The chains don't need to be crazy heavy, just something to keep the tank from falling over.

 

[Neggy]

really bad idea, especially since Propane is heavier than air and will settle at floor level if leaking...

Use a grinder with an unknown propane leak someday and BOOM

 

[Adk Mike]

A propane tank in a garage is a serious no. They are designed to be left out side. Propane leaking out side is no big deal
When it leaks inside and the walls hold the vapor you’ll be on TV with an explosion . Leaks happen when relief values pop off or other reason.
that being said put it outside. Pay attention with stored gasoline also. That stuff can be trouble when it spilled .

 

[wssix99]

Planning to do either LP ceiling mount heater or radiant tube LP heat. I’ve been considering keeping the 100lb LP tank in the corner. My wife thinks I’m crazy for doing this but I don’t really see the danger.

Your wife read the gas code.

There are situations where you can keep some cylinders inside non-living spaces for things like forklifts, space heaters, and other portables. But not for stationary heat and I expect the cylinder you have wouldn't meet spec for being inside your four walls, either.

The only difference between your original plan and and I.E.D. is that you are missing a detonator.

 

[BukitCase]

Once you decide whether you wanna live, the next question might be how much time you wanna spend on de-rusting your tools -
From a quick google search -
"How much water is produced when propane is burned?

If you're using an un-vented or "vent-free" propane appliance like a catalytic heater, "blue flame" heater, or certain instant water heaters, your appliance is adding 1.6 pounds of moisture into your space for every pound of propane burned. "

When I learned of that about 20 years ago I'd been using a propane version of those "jet engine" torpedo heaters in my un-heated shop, and cussing serious rust on EVERYTHING - I could actually come back to the shop a day after de-rusting something and it'd be flash-rusted. I haven't used the torpedo heater INDOORS since then; only time I use it these days is if I hafta work on one of the tractors OUTSIDE and it's too cold for my wimpy 77 yr old bod... Steve

Here's some examples of what you'd want if rust is NOT your goal -

Top 10 Vented Propane Heaters of 2022 - Best Reviews Guide

Best Reviews Guide analyzes thousands of articles and customer reviews to find the top-rated products at today’s lowest prices. Best products, best offers.

www.googleadservices.com

 

[Musky_Hunter]

right off the bat the closet fire dept is 35 minutes away. If a fire starts it will be a total loss according to my insurance and I’m insured accordingly. If LP is that dangerous drilling a hole in the wall is no big deal n

 

[Lassen Forge]

In your garage? Has anyone mentioned BLEVE's yet??? Oh yeah... First response...

The firemen that respond to houses with fires in them appreciate it if you would find somewhere else to store your propane tanks..

Google B.L.E.V.E.

Here - I use this one for tank safety training... Click here to see the cool BLEVE video

Remember before she blows, the safety valve will pop, venting a LOT of that LPG into your (closed) garage, into your house, and yeah... booms within booms.

Please do your local firefighters a huge favor and don't. I have a 20 gallon supply tank for my heater, and it's outside... I use a barbecue grill extension hose to get the gas to the heater (which is also outside, but not as far as the tank)... without putting la bomba in my shop.

 

[man-a-fre]

Don't even consider having a tank inside.

 

[Kaizen]

man........i'm surprised i lived this long listening to all of you. how do all of you run propane portable heaters? I've used a 20 pound with a torpedo heater and a 100 pound with a trashcan heater for years in my detached garages. i presently have another 100 pound for a temporary powder coat set up as well.
For a permanent heater install i would get a tank from the propane co as 100 goes fairly quick in January. but i believe they will want it pro installed and inspected. pita.
I do soap all of the joints on install if it makes anyone feel better.

 

[Wheelingit]

A 100 lb tank in the garage runs afoul of gas code and plain outright safety.

 

[pcmeiners]

Yes it would be wise to have it outside even though your insurance company will cover a fire, and the total loss of your garage with the tank inside.

Now do not let your wife EVER research acetylene tank leaks or massive explosions caused by it. Propane would take out your garage and possibly your home, a decent acetylene leak would take out your entire house, your car parked outside, possibly a good part of your neighbor's homes and all the glass windows within a few hundred feet.
With an upper explosive limits from 2.5% to 93%, you can guarantee the slightest leak (2%) will cause an acetylene explosion in a garage from the use of a compressor , light switch, garage opener or live circuit with a relay on board , a car door opening or simply static. Been in a natural gas explosion, I can't imagine an acetylene explosion.

 

[dutchgray]

Just no, propane bottles are supposed to live outside.
That said when I was young 25 years ago gran still had a portable gas heater which was about 2' square by 3' high, most of which was the bottle, which got wheeled into which ever room you wanted more heat in, they were very common before every one had central heating in their homes here, which the council only fitted in her house in the mid 90's, before that it was coal open fires and a coal fired stove water heater thing.

 

[kelpaso1]

When we were young and stupid we were camping and drinking and we had the bright idea to throw a full one pound bottle of propane on the camp fire. We hid behind our cars and waited. About 10 minutes later it exploded. Blew the smithereens of the campfire and was LOUD. We all gained a great respect of just one small bottle of propane could do

 

[Steve in UT]

I have a friend who has done exactly what you described. My strongest advice to him, was regarding a full tank of cold propane brought into a warm shop will expand and pop off the over pressure valve. I actually had this happen during a construction project, so I know it happens. Be careful.

 

[Rc_Guy]

when I was on the volunteer fire department, we got a call to a house fire and explosion, the guy had a 100lb lp tank between his fridge and stove, he came home from work and smelled gas, lit a cigarette and started walking down the steps to the basement, a few steps down and the whole thing blew up, lifted the 2-story house off the foundation, he lived but had bad burns and never was the same person.

They had to demolish the house.

 

[Ohio Auto]

I've stored my gas grill 20lb tank out in my shop in the winter for years ... is that not a good idea either?

 

[sixty4]

Using a cylinder indoors is not only illegal, it is terribly unsafe. Keep in mind that a full propane barbeque cylinder contains enough liquid to produce over 300 cubic feet of vapor. A fuel source such as that should not only be stored outdoors, it should never be used indoors.

 

[rburke65]

I have 2 in my garage….I don’t worry about it

 

[Metal-Marc]

I have 2 in my garage….I don’t worry about it

I don't worry about it either because it's not my garage, it's yours.

 

[sweetk30]

Well i guess i have a death wish then .

I can see it both ways . But i have a friend who had a 100lb get refilled and just sitting in the shop it warmed up and over pressured and blew off .

So for safety with propane i say bottle that big outside please .

Oh and i love my modine hot dawg heater in my shop for 6+ years . My buddy just got 2 for his new 6bay shop cause he liked mine .

 

[Musky_Hunter]

Ok tank outside.

 

[gmcgeo]

Planning to do either LP ceiling mount heater or radiant tube LP heat. I’ve been considering keeping the 100lb LP tank in the corner. My wife thinks I’m crazy for doing this but I don’t really see the danger. Considering the cabinet that stores combustibles including gas is inside. The oxy torch setup is inside. What’s the difference in keeping a tank of LP in there also.

Code is nothing over 1lb lp in a building. If the tank gets overfilled and you have it inside and the pressure relief lets go, well you wont survive it. With so many pressurized vessels exploding inside of building i wonder when ppl will get the hint.....

 

[CraigStu]

Well I have a standard BBQ size tank in my garage to run the propane heater. **** now I need to move the outside and run a pipe through the wall.
?Black iron through the wall and standard flex hose on each end right?
BTW, we had our house built 3 years ago and the builder was talking to me about propane tanks for the backup heat and water heater. I don't remember the details anymore but do remember that whatever he and I had thought to do was nixed by the propane guys since it would not meet code.

 

[gmcgeo]

Well i guess i have a death wish then .

I can see it both ways . But i have a friend who had a 100lb get refilled and just sitting in the shop it warmed up and over pressured and blew off .

So for safety with propane i say bottle that big outside please .

Oh and i love my modine hot dawg heater in my shop for 6+ years . My buddy just got 2 for his new 6bay shop cause he liked mine .

There is nothing wrong with those tanks pictured here in the garage

 

[gmcgeo]

Well I have a standard BBQ size tank in my garage to run the propane heater. **** now I need to move the outside and run a pipe through the wall.
?Black iron through the wall and standard flex hose on each end right?
BTW, we had our house built 3 years ago and the builder was talking to me about propane tanks for the backup heat and water heater. I don't remember the details anymore but do remember that whatever he and I had thought to do was nixed by the propane guys since it would not meet code.

could be you were using the wrong regulator and a rubber hose, both can not be used inside a building.

i would get a 100# and get rid of the bbq tank or use the bbq tank for the intended use.... cooking chicken and burgers

 

[jar944]

These don't work that well outside, though I wouldnt use a portable tank for a permanent furnace.

 

[gmcgeo]

When you buy any type of heater like this, ready the manual. Outdoor use only...... thats why they are aloud to sell them. And then ppl buy them thinking they can use inside

 

[nh_yota]

But i have a friend who had a 100lb get refilled and just sitting in the shop it warmed up and over pressured and blew off .

So for safety with propane i say bottle that big outside please .

Yeah that's the primary reason I wouldn't keep a propane tank in a shop or attached garage.

 

[jar944]

When you buy any type of heater like this, ready the manual. Outdoor use only...... thats why they are aloud to sell them. And then ppl buy them thinking they can use inside

Maybe buy a better version?


Or live in a state that allows ventless propane fireplaces..

 

[gmcgeo]

Maybe buy a better version?


Or live in a state that allows ventless propane fireplaces..

there is a different from ventless propane heaters and 20lb tanks indoors

the heater isnt the issue, its the tank indoors

 

[gmcgeo]

the other thing you dont show is the rest of that sentence, "with proper ventilation"

Still, Code says its not aloud indoors. local fire marshal and npfa 54 takes precedents ... lol not homedepot

 

[jar944]

there is a different from ventless propane heaters and 20lb tanks indoors

the heater isnt the issue, its the tank indoors

Then explain the tank mounted heater instructions specifically mentioning indoor use.

 

[jar944]

the other thing you dont show is the rest of that sentence, "with proper ventilation"

Still, Code says its not aloud indoors. local fire marshal and npfa 54 takes precedents ... lol not homedepot

It's not a permanent fixture..