New propane tanks causing headaches

Canadians who like travelling across the border to camp should be aware of new U.S. regulations regarding propane cylinders or they might discover steaks and burgers on the trip are a smoky memory.
U.S. suppliers will not fill any four- to 40-pound propane cylinder unless it’s equipped with an overfill prevention device (OPD).
“All Canadian propane bottles cannot be filled on the U.S. side of the border after March 31, 2002,” said Fort Frances resident Stan Hoard, who recently returned from more than four months in Arizona.
“This would affect all Canadians travelling with travel trailers or motor homes.”
Hoard went to an American supplier to fill a new Canadian tank and was told it needs the OPD, or floater.
“They’re going to refuse to fill it,” said Hoard, who recently had purchased two new propane tanks. “It’s going to be more costly. Canada’s going to have to conform.”
There had been so many accidents in the States with overfilling propane tanks that the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published a ruling that all tanks must have the new safety valve.
The OPD, which is part of the filling valve, serves as a safety shut-off device and prevents overfilling of propane cylinders to avoid propane release, fire, and possible injuries.
Consumers who own a propane cylinder not equipped with an OPD can either have the old valve removed and replaced with an OPD, or get a new cylinder with the OPD device.
Local stores will order the OPD device for customers but they’re not carried as part of the regular stock.