MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
SECTION 1 鈥? PRODUCT INFORMATION
Product Name: Propane Supplier: Superior Propane
A Division of Superior Plus Inc.
Trade Name: LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), LP-Gas
1111 - 49th Avenue N.E.
Calgary, AB T2E 8V2
Chemical Formula: C3H8
Business: (403) 730-7500
WHMIS Classification: Class A 鈥? Compressed Gas
24-Hour
Class B, Division 1 鈥? Flammable Gas
Emergency Contact: Canutec (613) 996-6666
Application and Use: Propane is commonly used as a 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.
SECTION 2 鈥? HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
COMPONENTS CASE NO. % VOLUME (v/v) LD50 (RAT, ORAL)
Propane 74-98-6 90%-99% Not Applicable
Propylene 115-07-1 0%- 5% Not Applicable
Ethane 74-84-0 0%- 5% Not Applicable
Butane and heavier hydro carbons 106-97-8 0%- 2.5% Not Applicable
Occupational Exposure Limit:
Based upon animal test data, the acute toxicity of this product is expected to be inhalation: 4 hour LC50 = 280,000 ppm (Rat)
Note: Composition is typical for HD-5 Propane per The Canadian General Standard Board CGSB 3.14 National Standard of Canada.
Exact composition will vary from shipment to shipment.
SECTION 3 鈥? CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DATA
Form: Liquid and vapour while pH: Not available
stored under pressure
Solubility in Water: Slight, 6.1% by volume @ 17.8掳C
Boiling Point: -42掳C @ 1 atm
Specific Gravity: 0.51 (water = 1)
Freezing Point: -188掳C
Appearance/Odour: Colourless liquid and vapour while stored
Evaporation Rate: Rapid (Gas at normal ambient conditions) under pressure. Colourless and odourless
gas in natural state at any concentration.
Vapour Pressure: 1435 kPa (maximum) @ 37.8掳C
Commercial propane has an odourant
added, ethyl mercaptan, which has an
Vapour Density: 1.52 (Air = 1)
odour similar to boiling cabbage.
Coefficient of Water/
Odour Threshold: 4800 ppm
Oil Distribution: Not available
With proper handling, transportation and storage, adding a chemical odourant such as ethyl mercaptan has proven to be a very
effective warning device, but all odourants have certain limitations. The effectiveness of the odourant may be diminished by
a person鈥檚 sense of smell, by competing odours and by oxidation which may cause a potentially dangerous situation.
SECTION 4 鈥? FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD
Flash Point: -103.4掳C Fire Extinguishing Precautions: Use water spray to cool
exposed cylinders or tanks. Do not extinguish fire unless the
Method: Closed cup
source of the escaping gas that is fueling the fire can be turned
off. Fire can be extinguished with carbon dioxide and/or dry
Flammable Limits: Lower 2.4%, Upper 9.5%
chemical (BC). Container metal shells require cooling with water
Auto Ignition Temperature: 432掳C to prevent flame impingement and the weakening of metal.
If sufficient water is not available to protect the container shell
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide can be
from weakening, the area will be required to be evacuated.
produced when primary air and secondary air are deficient while
If gas has not ignited, liquid or vapour may be dispersed by
combustion is taking place.
water spray or flooding.
Fire and Explosive Hazards: Explosive air-vapour allowed
Special Fire Fighting Equipment: Protective clothing, hose
to leak to atmosphere.
monitors, fog nozzles, self-contained breathing apparatus.
Sensitivity to Impact: No
Sensitivity to Static Discharge: Yes
SECTION 5 鈥? REACTIVITY DATA
Stability: Stable Hazardous Decomposition Products: Deficient primary
and secondary air can produce carbon monoxide.
Conditions To Avoid: Keep separate from oxidizing agents.
Gas explodes spontaneously when mixed with chloride dioxide. Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Incompatibility: Remove sources of ignition and observe
distance requirements for storage tanks from combustible
material, drains and openings to building.
MSDS-Propane-32003-2 Side 1 of 2
SECTION 6 鈥? TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIAL
Routes of Entry: Skin Contact, Eye Contact, Inhalation Acute Exposure: Contact with Liquefied Petroleum Gas may cause
frostbite or cold burns. Propane acts as a simple asphyxiant as
oxygen content in air is displaced by the propane. At increasing
Inhalation: Simple asphyxiant. No effect at concentrations of
concentration levels, propane may cause dizziness, headaches,
10,000 ppm (peak exposures). Higher concentrations may cause
loss of coordination, fatigue, unconsciousness and death.
central nervous system disorder and/or damage. Lack of oxygen
may cause dizziness, loss of coordination, weakness, fatigue, Chronic Exposure: No reported effects from long term
euphoria, mental confusion, blurred vision, convulsions, breathing low level exposure.
failure, coma and death. Breathing high vapour concentrations
Sensitization to Product: Not known to be a sensitizer.
(saturated vapours) for a few minutes may be fatal. Saturated
vapours may be encountered in confined spaces and/or under
Occupational Exposure Limits: American Conference of
conditions of poor ventilation. Avoid breathing vapours or mist.
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) lists as a simple
asphyxiant.
Skin and Eye Contact: Exposure to vapourizing liquid may cause
ACGIH TLV: 1000 ppm
frostbite (cold burns) and permanent eye damage.
Carcinogenicity, Reproductive Toxicity, Teratogenicity,
Ingestion: Not considered to be a hazard. Mutagenicity: No effects reported.
Other Toxicological Effects: None
SECTION 7 鈥? PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Eyes: Safety glasses or chemical goggles are recommended when transferring product.
Skin: Insulated gloves required if contact with liquid or liquid cooled equipment is expected. Wear gloves and long
sleeves when transferring product.
Inhalation: Where concentration in air would reduce the oxygen level below 18% air or exceed occupational exposure limits
in section 6, self-contained breathing apparatus is required.
Ventilation: Use in well-ventilated areas. Use with explosion proof mechanical ventilation in confined spaces or poorly
ventilated areas.
SECTION 8 鈥? EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES
Eyes: Should eye contact with liquid occur, flush eyes with lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Obtain immediate
medical care.
Skin: In case of 鈥淐old Burn鈥? from contact with liquid, immediately place affected area in lukewarm water and keep
at this temperature until circulation returns. If fingers or hands are frostbitten, have the victim hold his hand next
to his body such as under the armpit. Obtain immediate medical care.
Ingestion: None considered necessary.
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air. If breathing is difficult or has stopped, administer artificial respiration.
Obtain immediate medical care.
Spill or Leak: Eliminate leak if possible. Eliminate source of ignition. Ensure cylinder is upright. Disperse vapours with hose
streams using fog nozzles. Monitor low areas as propane is heavier than air and can settle into low areas.
Remain upwind of leak. Keep people away. Prevent vapour and/or liquid from entering into sewers, basements
or confined areas.
SECTION 9 鈥? TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING AND STORAGE
Transport and store cylinders and tanks secured in an Do not store with oxidizing agents, oxygen, or chlorine
鈥? 鈥?
upright position in a ventilated space away from ignition cylinders.
sources (so the pressure relief valve is in contact with
Empty cylinders and tanks may contain product residue.
鈥?
the vapour space of the cylinder or tank).
Do not pressurize, cut, heat or weld empty containers.
Cylinders that are not in use must have the valves in the
鈥?
Transport, handle and store according to applicable federal
鈥?
closed position and be equipped with a protective cap or guard.
and provincial codes and regulations.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) TDG Shipping Name: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane)
TDG Classification: Flammable Gas 2.1
PIN Number: UN1075
SECTION 10 鈥? PREPARATION INFORMATION
Prepared by: Superior Propane Telephone: (403) 730-7500
Health Safety and Environment Team Revision: May 9, 2005
Supersedes: October 2004
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, implied warranty of merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose is made with respect to the product information contained herein.
MSDS-Propane-32003-2 Side 2 of 2
|