MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
SECTION I – PRODUCT INFORMATION
Product Name: Propane Supplier:
Trade Name: LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
Chemical Formula: C3H8 Business:
WHMIS Classification: Class A – Compressed Gas
Class B, Division I – Flammable Gas Non-Medical Emergency:
Uses and Occurrence: Propane is commonly used as fuel for heating, cooking, automobiles, forklift trucks, crop
drying and welding and cutting operations. Propane is used in industry as a refrigerant,
solvent and as a chemical feedstock.
CEPA: CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
All components of this product are either on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) or are exempt.
SECTION II – HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
Components CAS Registry No. Proportion of Product LC50 LD50
Propane 74-98-6 95% - 98% N/A N/A
Ethane 74-84-0 3% - 5% N/A N/A
Butane 106-97-8 1% - 3% N/A N/A
Iso-Butane 75-28-5 0.1% - 0.3% N/A N/A
Methane 74-82-8 0.1% - 0.2% N/A N/A
Note: Composition given is typical for Grade 1 Propane; exact composition will vary from shipment to shipment.
SECTION III – CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DATA
Form: While stored under pressure – liquid and/or vapour Specific Gravity: 0.51 (Water = 1)
Boiling Point: -42 oC atm Appearance: Colourless liquid and vapour while stored
Freezing Point: -188 oC under pressure.
Evapouration Rate: Rapid (Gas at Normal Ambient Colourless and odourless gas in natural state at any
Conditions) concentration.
Vapour Pressure: 1,013 (kPa) @ 26.0 oC Commercial propane has an odourant added which is
commonly ethyl mercaptan which has an odour similar to
Vapour Density: 1.52 (Air = 1)
boiling cabbage or rotten eggs.
Coefficient of Water/Oil Distribution: Not available Odour Threshold: 4800 PPM
PH: Not available See Note 1 - Odourants
Soluble in Water: 6.1% by Volume @ 17.8 oC
and 753 mmHg
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SECTION IV – FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA
Flash Point: -103.4 oC Method: Closed Cup Fire Extinguishing Precautions: Use water spray to cool
Flammable Limits: Lower 2.4%, Upper 9.5% exposed cylinders or tanks. Do not extinguish fire
unless the source of the escaping gas that is fuelling
Auto Ignition Temperature: 432 oC
the fire can be turned off. Fire can be extinguished
Products Evolved Due to Heat or Combustion: Carbon with carbon dioxide and/or dry chemical (BC).
monoxide can be produced when primary and Container metal shells require cooling with water to
secondary airs are deficient while combustion is taking prevent flame impingement and the weakening of
place. metal. If weakening occurs, the area must be
Fire and Explosive Hazards: Explosive air-vapour evacuated. If gas has not ignited, liquid and vapour
mixtures may form if allowed to leak to atmosphere. may be dispersed by water spray or flooding.
Sensitivity to Impact: No Special Fire Fighting Equipment: Protective clothing,
Sensitivity to Static Discharge: Yes hose monitors, fog nozzles, self contained breathing
apparatus.
SECTION V – REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Stable Hazardous Decomposition Products: Deficient primary
Conditions to Avoid: Keep separate from oxidizing and secondary air can produce carbon monoxide.
agents. Gas explodes spontaneously when mixed with Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
chlorine dioxide.
Incompatibility: Remove sources of ignition and
observe distance requirements for storage tanks from
combustible material, drains, and openings to
buildings.
SECTION VI – TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIAL
ACUTE EXPOSURE: MEDIAN LETHAL DOSE:
Eyes: As a gas, none, Liquid causes “cold burns’. Oral: Not applicable for gas.
Respiratory System: Little physiological effect at Inhalation: Not determined.
concentrations below 10.000 PPM. Higher
Dermal: Not applicable for gas.
concentrations may cause dizziness and
unconsciousness due to asphyxiation. Other: Not determined.
SEE NOTE 2 – ASPHYXIANT. IRRITATION INDEX:
Chronic Exposure: There are no reported effects from Skin: No appreciable effect (gas).
long-term low-level exposure. Eyes: No appreciable effect (gas).
Other: Liquid can cause burns and frostbite if in direct Symptoms of Exposure: Above 10,000 PPM – dizziness,
contact with skin. stupor, unconsciousness. SEE NOTE 2 attached.
Sensitization Properties: Skin – unknown, Respiratory American Conference of Governmental Industrial
– unknown. Hygienists (ACGIH) classifies propane as an asphyxiate;
Carcinogenicity: Not determined. there is no recommended “Threshold Limit Value” (TLV).
SEE NOTE 3 (NORM). Teratogenicity: Not determined.
Mutagenicity: Not determined.
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SECTION VII – OCCUPATION CONTROL PROCEDURES
Eyes: Safety glasses, goggles, or face shield required Inhalation: In atmosphere, where the concentration of
when transferring product. propane would reduce oxygen level below 18% in
Skin: Insulated gloves if contact with liquid or liquid inhaled air, self contained breathing apparatus
cooled equipment is expected. Wear gloves and long required.
sleeves when transferring product. SEE NOTE 3 – (NORM).
Ventilation: Explosion proof ventilation equipment
required in confined spaces.
SECTION VIII – EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES
FIRST AID: SPILL OR LEAK:
Eyes: Should eye contact with liquid occur, flush eyes Eliminate leak if possible.
with lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Obtain Eliminate source of ignition.
immediate medical care.
Ensure cylinder is upright.
Skin: In case of “Cold Burn” from contact with liquid,
Disperse vapours with hose streams using fog nozzles,
immediately place affected area in lukewarm water
watch for low area, as propane is heavier than air and
and keep at this temperature until circulation returns.
can settle in low areas. Remain upwind of leak, keep
If fingers or hands are frostbitten, have the victim hold
people away.
his hand next to his body such as under the armpit.
Obtain immediate medical care. Prevent vapour and/or liquid from entering into
sewers, basements or confined areas.
SECTION 1X – TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING AND STORAGE
- Transport and store cylinders and tanks secured in - Transport, handle and store according to
an upright position in a ventilated space, away applicable federal and provincial regulations (CGA
from ignition sources (so relief valve is in contact B149.2).
with vapour space of cylinder or tank).
- SEE NOTE 4 – MAGNETIC RESIDUES.
- Cylinders that are not in use must have the valves
TDG Classification: 2.1 (gas)
in the closed position and be equipped with a
protective cap or guard. TDG Shipping Name: Liquid Petroleum Gas (Propane)
- Do not store with oxidizing agents, oxygen or TDG Special Provisions: 56, 90, and 102
chlorine cylinders.
PIN UN: 1075
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SECTION X – PREPARATION INFORMATION
Prepared by: Canadian Propane Association Date prepared: July 2012
(613) 683-2270
The information contained herein is believed to be accurate. It is provided independently of any sale of the product. It
is not intended to constitute performance information concerning the product. No express warranty or implied
warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose is made with respect to the product information
contained herein.
This information is in addition to the information supplied on the MSDS and forms a part of the MSDS by reference to
note numbers indicated:
NOTE 1 - ODOURANTS:
Odourants are not completely effective warning agents in all cases.
Certain odourants are polar and/or chemically reactive and may be depleted by reaction or absorption.
Sensitivity to odourants differs from person to person and may decrease with age or impaired physical conditions
such as colds or respiratory allergies.
Prolonged exposure to odourants can create desensitization to the odour.
NOTE 2 - ASPHYXIANT AND NARCOTIC EFFECTS OF PROPANE:
LPG’s can displace air and can act as an asphyxiant. Lack of oxygen may cause dizziness, headaches, diminished
awareness, faulty judgment, increase in fatigue and impaired muscular co-ordination. If these symptoms are
identified while working in close proximity to propane that is released, go immediately into a fresh air environment.
LPG’s are anaesthetic gases within the upper explosive limits and higher concentrations. A person working around
propane in an enclosed space or in close proximity to a propane source such as filling cylinders, purging lines,
investigating leaks, etc. who feels light-headed, dizzy, drunken, sleepy, or intoxicated should go immediately into
fresh air. This narcotic effect may impair a person’s judgment temporarily but will rapidly disappear in fresh air.
NOTE 3 - NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL (NORM):
Sludges and tank scale from propane storage tanks, bulk delivery truck tanks, railway tank cars, and fuel filters and
strainers screens may contain Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in the form of lead 210.
Equipment used for the transfer of propane such as propane piping and hoses, pumps and compressors may have
detectable levels of radioactive lead 210 on inner surfaces.
Workers involved in cleaning, repair or maintenance on inner surfaces of such equipment should avoid breathing
dust generated from such activities. Suitable codes of practice should be developed for the activities, detailing
appropriate occupational hygiene and disposal practices.
NOTE 4 - MAGNETIC RESIDUES IN PROPANE:
Magnetic residues generated in automotive fuel tanks from “mill scale” or corrosion processes may impair the
operation of magnetic gauges and electronic solenoid valves.
Collection of gross amounts of solid residues can affect the proper operation of lock offs, mixers, pressure release
valves, etc.
Solid residues could contain NORM (see note 3).
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