Overview
SaskPower Gas Inspections wishes the public to beware of adapters being sold on-line for the sole purpose of refilling disposable propane cylinders (commonly known as “1 lb.” cylinders) from refillable propane cylinders (usually 20 lb. or otherwise known as “BBQ” cylinders). You will not find these adapters for sale in retail stores as the adapter itself is not certified. The adapter’s purpose is specifically prohibited in the certification code of these disposable propane cylinders, and likewise this practice is specifically prohibited in clause 6.4.5 of CSA B149.2-15 Propane Storage and Handling Code.
The reason that refilling of disposable propane cylindersis strictly prohibited is that there is no safe means of doing so. The enviable safety record of propane containers in Canada is directly related to strict rules on integrated safety relief devices, which are a part of every pressurized propane container regardless of its size. Refillable cylinders and tanks have an expiration date which relates to the required replacement date of the relief device. The relief device on disposable cylinders is certified for a single use only, is not replaceable and is not a reliable safety device if the disposable cylinder is refilled.
The situation is compounded by the imminent danger of accidentally overfilling a disposable cylinder. No refillable propane cylinder or tank, regardless of size, is designed to be filled beyond 80% capacity by liquid volume. Refilling stations are equipped with controls, operated by a person with specific training, to prevent propane container overfilling. The illegal use of these propane filling adapters have no safety controls to prevent a disposable cylinder from being overfilled, with potentially life-threatening consequences.
Any person in Saskatchewan selling an adapter for this purpose is in contravention of The Gas Inspections Act, 1993: “No person shall manufacture, sell or offer for sale, display, advertise, rent or use or otherwise provide or offer for use any gas equipment, or attempt to do any of those things, unless the gas equipment is certified.” “Where an inspector finds gas equipment that is not approved or certified and finds or believes that the gas equipment was sold or supplied to any person within Saskatchewan, the chief inspector may”
- “send a notice to the seller or supplier requiring the seller or supplier, within a reasonable time to recall the gas equipment from the person to whom it was sold or supplied.”,
“order the seller to cease offering that gas equipment for sale”, and - “seize or have seized the gas equipment that is not approved or certified and may, after giving 30 days’ written notice to the person from whom it was seized, dispose of the gas equipment in any manner that is not inconsistent with this Act.”
- “All costs associated with an investigation, notification, seizure or disposal pursuant to this section, including the administrative costs of the corporation that are attributable to those activities are to be charged to the seller or supplier, and constitute a debt due and owing to the corporation that may be recovered by action or otherwise”
Thank you for your co-operation in these matters of public safety.