Propane safety emphasized

Despite a handful of propane explosions across Utah in recent years, the fuel remains a popular means of heating homes and cabins in rural parts of the state.

But after a blast destroyed a Cache Valley home, injuring two people this week, some experts are emphasizing the need to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines.

A propane company serviced and filled a large propane tank at the College Ward home Wednesday and found "several small leaks" inside the home, according to the Cache County Sheriff's Office. "The homeowners were planning on getting the leaks repaired" the day of the explosion, sheriffs' spokespersons said.

A representative for Pitcher Sales Farm Machinery, the Cache County company that serviced the tank, declined to discuss the explosion but cautioned propane users to take leaks and concerns seriously.

"If they smell it, they shouldn't ignore it," said the man, who declined to be identified. "And don't fight the people when they come for the five-year line tests. It keeps us out of the five o'clock news."

The regular inspection of a propane system's tanks, lines and appliances is mandatory, the man said, but users and suppliers often neglect the checks.

"It's $120, and they'll just fight you tooth and nail," the representative said. "It's hard to convince them even if you say, 'I can't bring you any more fuel without a test.' They don't think it's mandatory, and there are some dealers who just want to win over someone's account."

The man said propane dealers should share information on when tests are completed. "There's no cooperation," he said. "Everybody's cutthroat."

While most homes in Utah use natural gas for heat, Pitcher Sales services 1,100 homes "from Avon to Malad," the representative said. "And I'm the little guy."

Questar Gas provides natural gas to "95 percent" of the state, including Cache County, Questar spokesman Darren Shepherd said. But some homes still rely on propane because connecting a home too far from a natural-gas distribution line can be costly.

"When a customer hooks up to natural gas, there's a cost for running the service line," he said. "If they're 75 feet off the road, that's not too big of a deal. But if you're a lot farther, you have to pay that extra."

Thursday's explosion was one of several propane explosions Utah has seen in the past five years.

In 2008, a blast destroyed a Sanpete County home, seriously injuring a man. In 2005, a ruptured propane line destroyed a Big Cottonwood Canyon cabin.

The Propane Education and Research Council offers a number of tips for propane users on its Web site, www.usepropane.com.

The organization advises users to know what propane smells like and where lines are located. Furnace filters should be cleaned or changed regularly, and flammable liquids should be kept away from gas-burning appliances where vapors could come in contact with a pilot light.

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com