Portable propane cylinders used in your travel trailer or fifth wheel must be recertified by the Department of Transportation (DOT) 10 years after they were manufactured. They will need to be recertified every 5 years after the initial recertification.
At your next fill up, a propane dealer can tell you whether you’re approaching your recertification date because the date of production is stamped into the collar of the propane cylinder. Don’t be caught off guard: refilling a DOT cylinder that has passed its certification date is unlawful. You don’t want to be caught off guard!
Visit this DOT webpage or download the RIN Locator App to your smartphone to find a recertification location near you (Android and iOS)
What about RV propane tanks? Propane tanks in motor homes are heavier and permanently fixed, according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). They don’t need to be recertified, but they should be visually inspected on a regular basis.
When do ASME propane tanks need to be recertified?
Depending on the cylinder type, condition, and previous requalification procedure, propane cylinders must be requalified or replaced every 5 to 10 years. (See 49 CFR 180.205(d) and 180.209(e) for more information.)
Do ASME tanks need to be recertified?
So we went to a propane gas provider to obtain an inspection, but they stated they didn’t do inspections and couldn’t fill it because our rig was too huge. Tractor Supply was recommended to us. Although a TSC employee stated that they do not do inspections, they were able to fill our tank without difficulty.
Can you tell us about the regulations for properly refilling propane tanks in motorhomes, as well as whether any/all states need inspections, and if so, how often and by whom? Shouldn’t the inspector we hired when we acquired the RV have mentioned the tank’s necessity for certification? Thank you in advance for responding to our inquiry. Cheryl and Tom are a couple.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) published a new rule that affects the requalification of DOT cylinders on January 23, 2017.
- From the date of manufacture, the initial requalification term for DOT cylinders is reduced from 12 to 10 years.
- The requalification term for cylinders requalified utilizing volumetric expansion testing is reduced from 12 to 10 years.
- The cylinder requalification time is extended from 7 to 10 years for cylinders that are requalified utilizing a proof pressure test.
- The 5-year visual inspection technique for cylinder requalification is unaffected.
“Each state you cross handles propane refill differently than the next,” according to the Energized Gas Inc. website. You must be familiar with the rules and regulations. Some states may mandate propane suppliers to use three different methods to determine whether the tank is full. It’s possible that you’ll need to utilize a scale, an OPD, and the fixed liquid level gauge. When it comes to refilling your propane tanks, you’ll run into both state and federal rules, so familiarize yourself with them before you set out on your journey.”
RV propane tanks, also known as DOT cylinders, must be filled by professional technicians at certified filling stations. An RV propane tank or DOT cylinder used in a travel trailer or 5th Wheel must be recertified every 10 years, and each subsequent filling must be examined for operational condition. Any propane provider should be able to explain the laws and tell you where you can get your tank recertified (in your area).
Motorhomes, on the other hand, are equipped with ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) tanks rather than DOT tanks.
Because ASME tanks are permanently installed, they do not require re-certification. However, DOT/TC cylinders, both vertical and horizontal, qualify for periodic re-certification because they may be withdrawn, transported, and filled independently. However, all propane tanks, cylinders, and containers should be inspected, cleaned, and checked for leaks on a regular basis. All of this should be considered common sense preventive maintenance.
Whether or whether the inspector you hired should have informed you about the requirement to recertify your tank is debatable, but it’s not worth getting worked up about. As you travel, you’ll learn a lot of new things, and mastering them will help you transition from a rookie to an expert RVer. I’m still learning after more than 40 years of RVing and 17 years as a fulltimer. Then the rules change all over again.
Is it true that propane tanks have an expiration date?
1. What should you do if your propane tank has run out?
When those 12 years are over, you have the option of replacing the tank or having it inspected for requalification for another five years of use.
2. What is the expiration date of the propane tank?
The date of manufacturing or requalification of a propane tank is stamped on its collar. It will be written in a month-year format, such as 06-21 for June 2021.
3. How should old propane tanks be disposed of?
Propane tanks with a volume of 100 pounds or less have a 12-year shelf life from the date of manufacturing. When those 12 years are over, you have the option of replacing the tank or having it inspected for requalification for another five years of use.
4. What is the average lifespan of a tank?
Propane tanks with a volume of 100 pounds or less have a 12-year shelf life from the date of manufacturing.
5. Do all tanks have an expiration date?
Large propane tanks used for residential heating and hot water are restricted by federal container restrictions in most states. According to the legislation, a propane tank can only be filled by the owner or someone authorized to act on their behalf. In practice, this means that the majority of household propane users lease their tank from a fuel supplier, who is responsible for keeping track of the tank’s expiration date.
6. Where can I have my propane tanks recertified?
What is an ASME propane tank, and what does it do?
- Tanks made by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are a popular choice for supplying gasoline to the home. These tanks are usually horizontally installed and range in size from 120 to 1,000 gallons.
- Stationary or interchange service cylinders are Department of Transportation (DOT) cylinders that provide gasoline for households. These are mounted vertically and are typically smaller than ASME types. Portable cylinders are smaller DOT cylinders that are typically used for work and recreational equipment, outdoor living facilities, and forklifts. These come in a variety of sizes and materials, including steel, aluminum, and composite materials.
What are the signs that my propane tank needs to be recertified?
The recertification date of a propane tank is usually represented by a letter rather than a number. Each quarter of the year is represented by the letters A, B, C, and D. The letter is a “A” indicates that the tank was recertified in January, February, or March, followed by the year’s two numbers. In this scenario, a tank bearing the inscription “The first quarter of 2020 would be indicated by a “20.” The type of recertification is indicated by additional letters, which helps define the frequency of follow-up inspections.
Do built-in RV propane tanks have an expiration date?
RV propane tanks have a 12-year shelf life from the date of manufacturing (federal law). Cylinders must be tested and re-qualified or disposed of after 12 years.
How can I know if my propane tank is ASME-compliant?
These tanks are usually horizontally installed and range in size from 120 to 1,000 gallons. The data plate positioned beneath the dome of an ASME tank can be used to identify it. The nameplate of an ASME tank will include a “clover leaf” marking.
How can you determine the age of a propane tank?
Because propane cylinders must be requalified or changed every 10 years, this mark will indicate when it was done. Finding a sequence of numbers and letters that conclude in ‘E’ is the quickest way to get the requalification date on a cylinder.
How long will a huge propane tank last?
The propane tank is the heart of your propane-powered home, pumping propane gas to appliances that will keep your family warm all year and make your home more enjoyable and comfortable.
But, honestly, how much do you know about propane tanks? To get you started, here are three key questions and answers.
1. What is the average lifespan of a propane tank? Propane tanks are built to last: a high-quality, properly maintained galvanized aboveground propane tank or propane cylinder should last 30 years or more on average, with some aluminum and composite cylinders lasting even longer. The size and use of the propane tank, as well as how well it has been cared for, play a large role in its lifetime. For example, underground propane tanks have a reduced average life expectancy of 20 to 30 years, depending on the soil type and whether or not the tank was installed properly.
2. What size propane tank do I require? Gas tanks are available in a variety of sizes; the right size for your Connecticut house is determined by the type of propane appliances and equipment you plan to use. The following are some of the most common propane tank sizes, as well as some of the equipment that they typically power:
- 56 gallon For use in ovens, stoves, and dryers (holds 48 gallons of propane)
- 120 gallon For use with water heaters, space heaters, and pool heaters (holds 100 gallons of propane)
- 250 gallon For use with generators, pool heaters, and a variety of other equipment (holds 200 gallons of propane)
- 500 gallon For use with central heating and pool heaters (holds 400 gallons of propane)
- 1000 gallon Ideal for large households and businesses (holds 850 gallons of propane)
3. What are some of the propane tank placement guidelines and regulations? Federal, state, and municipal laws govern the location of propane tanks, which must be followed at all times. Here are a few of the most significant:
- A portion of an underground tank of this size must be at least 10 feet from a building or property line.