Print
Chemical Datasheet

PROPANE

2.1 - Flammable gas

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 74-98-6   (PROPANE)
  • 1978
  • Flammable Gas
  • PRP
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Propane
  • PROPANE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
2 0
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas with a faint petroleum-like odor. It is shipped as a liquefied gas under its vapor pressure. For transportation it may be stenched. Contact with the unconfined liquid can cause frostbite by evaporative cooling. Easily ignited. The vapors are heavier than air and a flame can flash back to the source of leak very easily. The leak may be either a liquid or vapor leak. The vapors can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode. Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a long distance to a source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Vaporizing liquid may cause frostbite. Concentrations in air greater than 10% cause dizziness in a few minutes. 1% concentrations give the same effect in 10 min. High concentrations cause asphyxiation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
PROPANE is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [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 tank car or highway tank 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 the "BLEVE - Safety Precautions" section. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [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 in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 115 [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, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Propane:

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, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Propane 74-98-6 Vapor nm >480
> indicates greater than.
"nm" indicates the fabric has not been tested.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Propane:

Eye: FROSTBITE - If eye tissue is frozen, seek medical attention immediately; if tissue is not frozen, immediately and thoroughly flush the eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the lower and upper eyelids. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist, get medical attention as soon as possible.

Skin: FROSTBITE - If frostbite has occurred, seek medical attention immediately; do NOT rub the affected areas or flush them with water. In order to prevent further tissue damage, do NOT attempt to remove frozen clothing from frostbitten areas. If frostbite has NOT occurred, immediately and thoroughly wash contaminated skin with soap and water.

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, 2024)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C3H8
Flash Point: -156°F (gas) (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2.1 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 9.5 % (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 842°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -305.9°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: 9823 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 1.5 (USCG, 1999) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.59 at -58°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: -43.8°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 44.09 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: 0.01 % (NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 11.07 eV (NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH: 2100 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Propane (74-98-6)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 10000 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. Safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 17000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 33000 ppm 3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
30 minutes 6900 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. Safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 17000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 33000 ppm 3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
60 minutes 5500 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. Safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 17000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 33000 ppm 3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
4 hours 5500 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. Safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 17000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 33000 ppm 3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
8 hours 5500 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. Safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 17000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account. 33000 ppm 3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) = 23000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. Safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. Extreme safety consideration against explosions must be taken into account.
(NAC/NRC, 2024)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Propane (74-98-6) 5500 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. 17000 ppm 2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL. 33000 ppm 3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL. LEL = 23000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
2-flame icon indicates value is 50-99% of LEL.
3-flame icon indicates value is 100% or more of LEL.
(DOE, 2024)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Propane 74-98-6 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Propane 74-98-6 1.00 % 60000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names