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Propane (C3H8)

Quick Reference

What is C3H8?

Flammable gas stored in liquified form. It is commonly used in heating applications and transportation as a fuel source. Used extensively for home heating throughout rural BC, thus often found stored in very large tanks on rural residential properties. Poses risk of explosion and BLEVE as well as asphyxiation in confined spaces. Propane itself is odorless, however it is mixed with mercaptan to make it malodorous and improve olfactory detection of leaks.

Crew Safety

  1. Staging/Perimeter
    • Small leak: Initial perimeter 100 m in all directions.
    • Large leak without fire: 800 m in all directions. High risk of explosion/fire.
    • Large tank involved in fire: 1600 m in all direction. High risk of BLEVE.
    • Consider that large propane cylinders are commonly found on rural properties.
  2. Additional Resources
    • Fire department for large leak or if fire is involved.
  3. PPE requirements
    • If leak requiring patient rescue in a confined space SCBA required.
    • If patient is in ambient air away from source of the leak, no special PPE required
  4. Safely initiating patient contact
    • Crews are not to rescue patients in confined spaces.
    • Patient may meet the crew in ambient air or a well-ventilated area, provided no risk of fire/explosion in area.
    • If crew smells mercaptan they should leave the area.

Effect on the Patient

Due to high flammability risk of burns and injuries associated with explosion. If inhaled, it acts as an asphyxiant as well as a general CNS depressant. Inhalation may lead to symptoms ranging from mild (dizziness, nausea) to severe (coma, seizure, cardiac arrest).

Patient Decontamination

Minimal to no risk of secondary contamination and little to no decontamination is required. If patient was in a confined space the crew may risk removing heavy clothing such as jackets due to risk of gas entrainment.

Patient Treatment

* Treat burns and other traumatic injuries in accordance with BCEHS CPGs. 
* Treat CNS depression in accordance with BCEHS CPGs. No specific antidote.

Safe Transfer of Care

No risk of secondary contamination to hospital staff.

Paramedic and Equipment Decontamination

No decontamination of personnel or equipment is required.

Quick Access Resources

DPIC Monograph

BC DPIC (PDF)

Paramedic Specialist Safety Data Sheet

PS Chemical Response Sheet (PDF)

Emergency Response Guidebook

ERG (PDF)

Revision History

Version Date Changes Author
1.0 2026-05-01 Initial version Clinical Hub