Propane tanks-- how close to the house?

There was a propane tank explosion at my workplace recently and ATF, FBI and the Fire Marshall were all involved in investigating what happened. It is my understanding that next to a structure isn't a problem as long as the tanks are in the open air and not placed in an unvented space.

Propane tanks will vent (a safety feature) when they heat up with sun and/or air temperature and release small amounts of propane so you don't want the gas to collect in a closed area.

Lots of them are next to the house. If I had a choice I'd go a little farther out, or at least put some kind of wall in between the tank and the house.

if you are refering to the tank that is used for your stove, then it is common to have it flat on the side of a house. Those type of tanks are usally built to high secifications so they hopefully never leak. Secondly who wants a big ugly tank in the middle of their yard or some place else. Downside it can cause a whole lot of problems if your house catches on fire. Another smart thing to do is have a concrete structure built around it. this makes the area where the tank is look more attractive.

P.s worked construction one summer. you learn alot of crap.

You need to call and ask your LP Supplyer for the code requirments in your area. Now that being said. I was required to have the tank 10 feet from the house and ten feet from the property line.

if a propane tank "explodes'' your screwed anyways if your close... so keep it where you want to..

building a structure, like the guys before me said, would probably be the best thing to do... nooone can tamper with it easily and it looks better...plus its a lil more protection.. other than that i dont know... we have a gas water heater but we get our gas from the city i guess.. no tanks here...anyway.. good luck with the solution.

i have notice several distances. the propanee should have that answer. a neighbor of mine who filled the tanks drove truck to fill station and noticed what he thought was fog instead it was propan that had escapade and when he hooked ground cable it sparked catching him on fire, see propane is heavy. to day he has to be in the air condition because it destroyed his ability to sweat.

My neighbors' house caught fire- they say the Propane tank was to blame.

I say err on the safe side and keep it as far away from anybody's house as possible!

next to the house is acceptable. It's a lot safer than having the supply lines out in the open where people can bend and break them. The tanks themselves are subject to much licensing and inspection to ensure their safety.

At my store, they must be 10 feet away from the building. But then, we store a lot of propane.

It is usually common to have the tanks up against the house.