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

Posted Wednesday August 07, 2019

Posted By: Elizabeth Leal

Category: Fuels,Safety Matters,Safety Exchange Blog

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 B149.2-15 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 cylinders manufactured to Specification TC-39M and aerosol containers 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 Currently Known Manufacturers/Distributors of Adapters for Non-Refillable Propane Cylinders

Flame King www.flameking.com/refillable
Amazon www.amazon.ca