Secure Your Stuff: Propane Tanks

Dare to Prepare

Earthquake Readiness Campaign

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The Great Southern California ShakeOut

Disclaimer: The effects, descriptions, recommendations, and suggestions included in this web site are intended to improve earthquake preparedness; however, they do not guarantee the safety of an individual or a structure. The Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA) takes responsibility for the inclusion of materials from various sources on these pages. The State of California, the Seismic Safety Commission, the ECA and all contributors to this document do not assume liability for any injury, death, property damage, loss of revenue, or any other effect of an earthquake.

Propane Tanks

Larger imagePropane Tank

Source: Noson, Perbix, SSD

Purpose

To secure propane tanks.

Caution
Large propane tanks will expand and contract. This may stress the tank wall or seismic connections.

Consult a structural engineer and your propane supplier for assistance.

Note

Store gas cylinders in a separate area.
Store cylinders away from people and exits.

Recommendation

Install expansion bolts through existing brackets or provide steel pipe bollards. Steel pipe bollards are recommended for all large tanks.

Supplies Required

Reinforcing steel—No. 4
Expansion bolts
Concrete (2,000 psi minimum)
A36 steel pipe—6" diameter

Installation

Expansion Bolt

Larger imageSteel Pipe Bollard

Source: Noson, Perbix, SSD

Provide new footings (if none exist) at each bracket.
Install expansion bolts in existing bracket holes. Fill the hole with the largest diameter bolt possible.

Steel Pipe Bollard

Provide bollards at one-quarter points on two sides of tank.
See steel pipe bollard figure for dimensions.

Note
Provide flexible supply line connections.

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Created in the SCEC

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Last modified: May 22 2007 14:23

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Southern California Earthquake Center @