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Chemical Datasheet

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 68476-85-7
  • 1075
  • Flammable Gas
  • LPG
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
L.P.G. none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A mixture of butane, isobutane, propane, propylene, butylenes and other hydrocarbons of low molecular weight that is refined from petroleum. Maintained as a liquid under pressure. Leaking vessels can release either the liquid, which quickly vaporizes, or the gaseous mixture. The gas is heavier than air-- a flame can flash back to the source of the leak very easily. Under prolonged exposure to heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. Used as a fuel, an aerosol propellant, in cigarette lighters, and to make other chemicals.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. No reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Will form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966), Methane (UN1971) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) are lighter than air and will rise. Hydrogen and Deuterium fires are difficult to detect since they burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.) Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Concentrations in air greater than 10%; cause dizziness in a few minutes, 1% concentrations give the same symptom in 10 min. High concentrations cause asphyxiation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, contained in LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS, may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring may occur followed by ignition of unreacted hydrocarbon and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, mostly unreactive. Not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. In fires involving Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) (UN1075), Butane (UN1011), Butylene (UN1012), Isobutylene (UN1055), Propylene (UN1077), Isobutane (UN1969), and Propane (UN1978), also refer to BLEVE - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (ERG page 366). (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED. CAUTION: Hydrogen (UN1049), Deuterium (UN1957), Hydrogen, refrigerated liquid (UN1966) and Hydrogen and Methane mixture, compressed (UN2034) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray or fog. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972) pool fires, DO NOT USE water. Use dry chemical or high-expansion foam.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 115 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Flammable (Including Refrigerated Liquids)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. CAUTION: For LNG - Liquefied natural gas (UN1972), DO NOT apply water, regular or alcohol-resistant foam directly on spill. Use a high-expansion foam if available to reduce vapors. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. CAUTION: When in contact with refrigerated/cryogenic liquids, many materials become brittle and are likely to break without warning. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for L.P.G.:

Skin: FROSTBITE - Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.

Eyes: FROSTBITE - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide: FROSTBITE WASH - Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for L.P.G.:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY (LIQUID) - If this chemical in liquid form contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: WATER FLUSH IMMEDIATELY (LIQUID) - If this chemical in liquid form contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. Get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible. (NIOSH, 2023)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula: data unavailable
Flash Point: Propane: -156°F (cc); butane: -76°F (cc). (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): Propane: 2.2 %; butane: 1.8 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): Propane: 9.5 %; butane: 8.4 % (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: Propane: 871°F; butane: 761°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: greater than 1 atm (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 1.45 to 2.00 (NIOSH, 2023)
Specific Gravity: 0.51 to 0.58 at -58°F (USCG, 1999)
Boiling Point: greater than -40°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: greater than 44 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: Insoluble (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 10.95 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 2000 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Liquified petroleum gas; (L.P.G.) (68476-85-7) 65000 ppm 230000 ppm 400000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names