Catastrophic Loss of Propane

 
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Cap
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Post by Cap » Sat. Feb. 19, 2011 11:04 am

Working with industrial gases most of my adult life, I'd ask, why didn't you keep the system isolated and merely turn it on the system in the event of the power outage? I understand you are using the propane to exercise the generator but maybe you could open/close the main valve in order to exercise the unit? ( Or did you say you use it for a gas stove? )
If the squirrel hadn't eaten your hose, at some point the regulator likely have developed a leak anyway. Some regulators have a bleed hole which will leak through the diaphragm. You could also replace the hose with copper tube or a ss hose. But I will admit, losing 700gals of propane is tough to swallow. :mad:

 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Sat. Feb. 19, 2011 2:45 pm

Cap

We have a gas stove and the gen runs once a week to exercise. It won't happen again. See pics. I'm thinking of replacing my oil fired boiler with a propane fired boiler too so turning it on and off isn't an option. The underground pipe is plastic. Polyethylene to be exact. It what has been used for many years for all underground gas lines. The tank is 100' from my house.

 
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Post by smokeyCityTeacher » Sat. Mar. 12, 2011 10:07 pm

Better focus on how bad it could have been and how lucky you are it did not hurt anyone.

Im guessing you will be *very* diligent about whatever you do next time around.

 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Sun. Mar. 13, 2011 9:04 pm

You are not the first to say that, but there was never any danger. It's an underground tank 100' downhill from my house. Now my neighbor down the hill might have had a problem.
My insurance company sent me a letter Friday. They are denying my claim. Rodent exclusion.


 
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SMITTY
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Post by SMITTY » Mon. Mar. 14, 2011 10:40 am

That figures. :mad:

Typical insurance company. :roll:

 
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Rick 386
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Post by Rick 386 » Mon. Mar. 28, 2011 3:15 pm

coalkirk wrote:........ My insurance company sent me a letter Friday. They are denying my claim. Rodent exclusion.
Terry,

Did they show you WHERE in YOUR POLICY that rodent exclusion is located. And was it in the last policy or declaration page you received ??

Is there a way to add a rider onto the policy to include rodents??

Just because they say there is an exclusion doesn't mean that you have that in your policy.

Rick

 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Mon. Mar. 28, 2011 3:55 pm

Hey Rick. It was in my current policy. I actually saw it before I called them. It won't happen again cause I rodent proofed the cover now. Closing the old barn door after the horses have already gone. :? :roll: I'm going to talk to my tax accountant about it. It may qualify as a casualty loss on my Federal return next year.

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