Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] OT: Propane Tank near lightning ground

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] OT: Propane Tank near lightning ground
From: doc <kd4e@verizon.net>
Reply-to: kd4e@verizon.net
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006 23:03:12 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
> I am building a new house here, the house is close to the tower and the 
> propane tank will be real close to the ground rods.
>   Do I need to worry about the tank exploding if I get a lightning strike to 
> the tower? The tank will be on a couple of large concrete flat blocks and 
> not in contact will the ground.
> I feel the is a stupid question but I have to ask just so I can sleep in the 
> new house at night
> 73  Rick  kc5ajx

Even the little propane tank on my grill makes
me nervous, so I am probably a bit more nervous
around those "big white bombs" than most!

That said, I learned when I worked for the Office
of Emergency Management that the key concern
from a tank is the direction of the "blevy".

This was illustrated for me by our lead hazmat
responder who described driving up to the scene
of a huge propane tank with a fire under it.  He
exclaimed that they had set up their command post
in direct line with one end of the tank -- the
hottest end -- and would have been obliterated
had the tank "blevied" and sent that end ... and
many superheated shards ... flying their way.

So, if the "ends" are the top and bottom I
suppose you are in less danger then if they
are pointed at the house.

I will not own property with gas of any sort
running under or near it, but that is my "thing"!

I wonder if there is a risk of keying the KW
amp at the same time there is a tiny leak from
the tank and a weak arcing point in your
feedline or at the grounding panel for your cables
prior to entry to the shack?  Mathematically
unlikely for sure ... ;-)

-- 
Thanks! & 73, doc kd4e  http://bibleseven.com
Ham Links: http://bibleseven.com/hl.html
_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>