Propane Patio Heaters: Are They Safe Or Not?
No question you can expand the use and enjoyment of your patio or deck with an LP patio heater. However, they generate high heat from gas, so are they safe?
You should not be considering an outdoor patio heater if you want perfect guaranteed safety. For the same reason, you should not purchase any kind of electric or gas appliance, furnace, hot water heater or similar product. Gas or electric powered cars? Better to saddle a horse.
Of course, whether you are sitting on a horse or next to a patio heater, no one can guarantee your safety. What you do with that horse or heater, however, can greatly impact your safety and those who are with you. Therefore, understanding and applying some common sense precautions, such as those presented here, can make all the difference and allow you to enjoy all the benefits of this popular and useful product.
20-pound propane tanks are most commonly used to fuel this type of patio heater, the same tank often used to fuel the flame on a bar-be-cue grill. First of all, you may take comfort in the fact that it takes a great deal of effort to blow up a propane tank. They are virtually indestructable.
If there is concern, it should be with the connections that link the patio heater to the fuel source, as well as the flame that is produced. Gas leaks, which can be caused by poor connections, certainly can be a danger. So is an open flame that is not being properly supervised. Dented, rusted, or otherwise damaged propane cylinders, valves, collars or footings should be avoided.
If you smell gas and your instincts tell you to turn the gas off, you have very good instincts. Definitely shut down the fuel source and extinguish the flame. If you are unsure whether you have eliminated the problem, do not be shy about calling your gas supplier or fire department. They will be able to eliminate the problem and restore your sense of security.
There are other perhaps more reliable ways to test for gas leaks than checking for odors. For example, if you open the gas valve and spread soapy water over places where the hose connects to the propane cylinder and heater, a gas leak will show itself in the form of bubbles. Other methods may be recommended by the manufacturer. Definitely do not ignore guidelines and instructions in the owner’s manual.
It is a good bet they will not include using matches or lighters, or smoking and consuming adult beverages while checking for leaks. If unsure why that is, please obtain a restraining order from any gas heater, grill or appliance.
Even though better manufacturers check factory connections for leaks, parts can loosen as a result of movement during shipping. Make up your mind to take the time to double-check every connection. Also, most patio heaters require at least some assembly, so take whatever time is needed to do a good job.
Great care should be taken in assembling products such as this. Complete all steps as directed and do not force any parts together. If this is not your specialty, find someone special to help you.
Just as every owner’s manual will warn, outdoor patio heaters are not intended for indoors. Burning propane produces carbon monoxide. Outdoors on your patio or deck, no worries. In an enclosed area indoors, the carbon monoxide can accumulate and prove fatal. Patio heaters are not equipped with a chimney the way an indoor fireplace is. Their ventilation system is the outdoors.
Another common sense precaution is to keep things away from the heater that could catch fire. Clothing, paper products, toys, the siding on your house, shrubs and other vegetation are all examples of things you should keep at least three feet from the heater. If the manufacturer recommends greater clearance than that, then follow those guidelines. For instance, materials such as gasoline, paint, and other flammable liquids and vapors require far greater clearance.
The surface around the patio heater’s dome and burner becomes extremely hot. Temperatures approaching 1600 Fahrenheit are possible on the heater’s emitter.
Alert everyone, therefore, of the high temperature, especially children. Set clear boundaries for not touching or getting too close to the heater. Then, listen to your own advice, such as not trying to move a patio heater while it is in operation. As you may expect, leaving a patio heater unattended while it is lit just does not make sense.
Quality made patio heaters are equipped with automatic shut-off switches that turn them off should they tilt. That will not eliminate every undesirable thing that could happen should the unit topple. To really be safe, do not use the heater if winds exceed 10 mph. Also, make sure the unit is sitting on a hard, level and stable surface.
Are propane patio heaters safe? Yes. Higher industry standards and expanded regulations have greatly enhanced the fundamental safety of outdoor patio heaters and propane usage. A better question is whether the person using these products is safety minded, which you are if you have read this far. For you, therefore, propane patio heaters are safe.
Chris Basher is considered an expert on outdoor patio heaters , fire pits, outdoor patio fireplaces, and other backyard products. He is the owner of www.FirePitNow.com, an outstanding online place to find these and similar products. For other valuable, complimentary information regarding outdoor patio heaters and similar products, be sure to visit his website.