SAFETY ALERT - Illegal Propane Cylinder Refill Adaptor

[ILLusion]

On March 30th, 2011, the TSSA has immediately released an alert within Ontario regarding adapters used to refill our small 1 pound camp stove propane from large 20+ pound tanks.

In summary:

• These adapters are ILLEGAL
• Refilling these 1 pound tanks is prohibited by the Propane Storage and Handling Code
• Incorrect refilling measures poses a significant safety risk is posed to the public such as serious fires, explosions and burn hazards

While airsoft is an inherently dangerous action sport, we must all do what we can to protect our safety, those around us, and the property we operate on. Overall, by being safe, we also protect the sanctity of our sport. Please do not attempt any activities that can bring our sport under the spotlight of those who seek to stop our favorite hobby!

Although this alert is issued for Ontario, the message is something we need to take seriously across the entire country.

Please note below, that a specific thread on Airsoft Canada Forums has already been marked and added to "a list":

Originally Posted by Fire Chief 1201

Please see the following reference to the illegal refilling of disposable propane cylinders. It is prohibited by Ontario law. Furthermore, you put yourself at risk of serious burns as the practice of refilling, from all descriptions, spills propane. You require a 20% air space in propane tanks for expansion. How do you know how much you have transferred to the small tank?

Please refer to the link below for further information.

http://www.tssa.org/corplibrary/Arti...F95D889551D742


Fuels
Safety Program
FS-186-11
Date:
ADVISORY
March 24, 2011

Subject:
Use of adaptors to refill Specification 39 (non-refillable) Propane Cylinders

Sent to:
Propane Fuels Advisory Council, Propane Risk Reduction Group, Training Providers, Interprovincial Gas Advisory Council (IGAC), Posted on TSSA Web-Site

Adapters designed to transfer propane from a BBQ-type cylinder to a non-refillable cylinder are being offered to the public via online retailers and are further promoted on YouTube (demonstrating a very dangerous practice). Refilling single trip cylinders is prohibited by Ontario laws and this practice may result in cylinders that are overfilled and thus have a potential to cause serious fires, explosions and burn hazards to end users. In addition, the adaptors offered for sale are not approved and may cause additional hazards.
While the Technical Standards and Safety Authority seeks to stop the illegal sale of refill adapters in Ontario, the public is warned that the practice of refilling Specification 39 Cylinders (typically one-pound campstove propane bottles) is illegal and poses potential risks of fire and explosion.
Clause 6.4.2 of the CSA B149.2-05 Propane Storage and Handling Code, adopted as part of Ontario Regulation 211/01 (Propane Storage and Handling), requires that cylinders shall be filled by weight or volume and specifies the maximum values permitted. Further, clause 6.4.5 states that a cylinder manufactured to TC Specification 39, 2P or 2Q and known as a “single trip” or “non-refillable” cylinder shall not be refilled.
Ontario Regulation 211/01 requires all things employed in the use and handling of propane to be approved (section 14 ) and prohibits persons from knowingly supplying propane to or using a thing or a container that does not comply with the code (section 16).

List on Known Manufacturers/Distributors of Adapters for Non-Refillable Propane Cylinders
• Mr. Heater: http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=357&id=98
• Air Soft Canada: http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=96775
• KM North America (MacCoupler): http://maccoupler.com

Further information may be obtained by contacting: Director – Fuels Safety Division, Technical Standards and Safety Authority,
14th Floor – Centre Tower, 3300 Bloor St. West, Etobicoke ON., M8X 2X4 Ph:416 734 3300 Fx:416 231 7525
FS –xxx-11 1/1

[Spawn28]

Well that blows, Good thing i never bought one

[Slow]

Doesn't really make any sense that ASC is on that list since we were not making/selling them.

[Brian McIlmoyle]

A how to - use an illegal device to perform an illegal act on a public forum is however a concern.

[Rugger_can]

Kinda bothers me that they indicate a Public forum as being a Manufacturer or distributor when neither has occurred.

But I agree with Brian, this one slipped by (understandably as moderators are not lawyers versed in every aspect of ever single provision of every possible permutation discussed on here) and does pose a valid cause for concern.

[Spawn28]

So why not just delete the thread?

[Styrak]

They were always illegal, everyone knew that.
It's a shame they are seeming to blame ASC when ASC has nothing to do with it though.

[Drake]

While the outlined safety concerns are universally applicable, the adapter (in this case) is prohibited by Ontario law (one website that sells them says they won't sell to Alberta because they aren't legal there, either); I'm curious what their legal status is in other provinces.

Either way, discussion of the adapter is a far cry from being a "Known Manufacturers/Distributors."

As for it "slipping by", i remember the thread coming up and the general consensus was "more effort than it's worth." I think TNL was one of the few who actually decided to do it, and given his track record with stuff he may already be dead.

[Danke]

I would say edit that thread with much stronger "do not attempt" labeling.

And then lock it before anyone with great ideas jumps in.

[Statua]

It has always been illegal to fill little one pounders. Working at co-op with a propane station, there are so many camp bottles (we call em) that I throw in the lock cage weekly. It is totally illegal to fill any propane storage unit over 80% due to the volatile liquid propane. If it expands too much, the tank will leak thus releasing this liquid into the air. When liquid propane comes in contact with the outside air, it immediately vaporizes and now has a volume of about 290 times more then its liquid volume.

In other words, that little bit of propane in a one pounder can destroy homes in an instant.

[HKGhost]

I recall TNL refilling his tanks and putting in silly oil at the same time. Why do I have a feeling that one of those tanks were found, and the recyclers were like "WTF?"

[Raskas]

This listing might be a combination of the how-to, as well as the adapters sold to refill GBB mags. It's entirely likely they saw the thread, saw the links to stores selling the GBB propane adapters, and managed to get and understandable "5" when they put 2 and 2 together.

[Kid]

Illegal? That's ridiculous. F*ck our government's overreach.

If they are concerned about people's safety, just put safety labels on the bottles explaining this 80% issue so that people will know WHY they shouldn't do it.

The government can educate all they want, but legislation is completely unnecessary.

[Statua]

Originally Posted by Kid

Illegal? That's ridiculous. F*ck our government's overreach.

If they are concerned about people's safety, just put safety labels on the bottles explaining this 80% issue so that people will know WHY they shouldn't do it.

The government can educate all they want, but legislation is completely unnecessary.

On most modern propane tanks there IS the warning of filling over 80%. There is also a GIANT sticker on a fill station stating that it's illegal. On propane bottles it says non refillable. I don't think they need to say do not fill over 80% as you're not supposed to fill it anyways.

[Drake]

Thread moved to admin area since idiots have now taken to posting crap to it which will only bump it uselessly and draw undue attention to it. And all things considered, I see no good coming from this staying up.