In its natural state, propane is an odorless and colorless gas that is widely used to fuel appliances for heating, cooking and other uses. Although propane is used as a gas for fueling appliances, it is transported and stored as a liquid under high pressure in specially designed tanks or cylinders. When liquid propane changes into a gas vapor, it expands in volume by about 270 times. This means that propane is more economical to store and transport as a liquid rather than a gas vapor. However, this characteristic also means that even a small leak of liquid propane can result in a much larger quantity of vapor, which can be especially dangerous in a confined space.
Similar to any other flammable gas or liquid, propane is very safe when stored and handled properly. However, if propane is mishandled, it can cause property damage, injuries or even death. For this reason, users must have a thorough understanding of the properties and characteristics of propane, and the hazards and risks associated with its use.