No.
The people at Sparlings are Propane Experts. Propane is everything we do. Everyone at Sparlings is fully-qualified and licensed for their duties. That means every driver, every installer, every technician and every Customer Service person. Sparlings provides incentives for skills development and a recall system is in place to ensure qualifications remain current.

In 2000, Sparlings became the first propane company in Canada to voluntarily install wireless remote control systems on all delivery and transport trucks. The remote controls enable drivers to safely control the trucks functions when out of - and away from - the cab.

Yes.
Sparlings sells, installs, services and maintains brand name propane appliances and equipment for every application. That's over 1,000 different agricultural, commercial, construction, residential and industrial applications.

We do not out-source your emergency service.

As a Sparlings Customer, you have access to 24-hour service from the largest dedicated propane service team in Ontario.

Sparlings is a full-service company. Qualified propane experts and a fleet of service vehicles are on call for you.

Yes.
Sparlings maintains an extensive inventory of propane appliance parts, piping, and venting materials at each Branch - but we are not parts stores.*

*Parts, equipment, 24 Hour Emergency Parts Availability and 24 Hour Emergency Service are exclusively for Sparlings Customers and Contractors participating in Sparlings propane partners™ program.

Propane is safe energy. In fact, the National Fire Protection Agency declares gas the safest way to heat your home: safest by a 4 to 1 margin.

Here are the odds a member of the general public will be involved in one of the following incidents:

Individual Risk to Specific Fatal Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Accident: 1 in 4,700
• Air Plane Crash (as a passenger): 1 in 140,000
• Struck by Lightning: 1 in 1,375,000
• Struck by Tornado: 1 in 2,450,000
• Dam Failure/Rupture: 1 in 6,300,000
• Air Plane Crash (as a person on the ground): 1 in 37,000,000
• Propane Storage or Transportation Incident: 1 in 37,000,000

(*Source. U.S. Department of Energy, LPG Land Transportation and Storage Safety)

Sparlings is a leader in the propane industry. We are serious about the safety of our Customers, our employees and the communities we serve.

Sparlings manages regulatory compliance in four (4) primary areas of operations.

• Occupational Health & Safety (qualifications of people, safety of the workplace)
• Fleet Safety (truck and transport operations)
• Technical Compliance (propane tanks, appliances, equipment and Customer installations)
• Emergency Preparedness (transportation and storage, Emergency Response)

Our Compliance Commitment is "more than meets minimum standards". Sparlings demonstrates leadership by its actions, by participating in the development of industry standards and by investing in our people through skills development, safety programs and best in class technology - in our trucks and our facilities.

At existing locations, Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) commits to inspecting each bulk propane facility (Ontario) at least once annually. This schedule is subject to change due to exceptional circumstances.

At Sparlings, we recognize that our ability to deliver safe, reliable energy begins at every bulk plant, at every storage facility and at every Sparlings location. Each is designed, installed and maintained to the highest standards - and voluntary improvements and investments in technology are made to further enhance facility safety.

Each workplace is inspected monthly by members of Sparlings Joint Health & Safety Team in support of Risk Management objectives are.

The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) was established in the 1930's and proposed a set of recommendations to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 1932, the first pamphlet of standards was adopted for publication.

Today, all aspects of the propane industry are subject to stringent standards in an effort to ensure workplace, consumer and public safety. At Sparlings, we do more than "meet minimum standards". Along the way, sometimes that means being first - and Taking the Lead.

Sparlings award winning Quality Assurance Team continues to implement new safety and training initiatives which lead the industry. and Sparlings is a stakeholder in P38 Inc., which has developed an unprecedented Code of Conduct initiative in partnership with Zuirch and Marsh. This is a self-funded, proprietary product of P38.

Most of us are able to use our eyes and nose to help detect the presence of propane. For peace-of-mind though, gas detectors are readily available at retail stores.

Leaks are uncommon, but a simple way to check piping, fittings or a tank for a leak is to mix dish soap with water and spray it on the area you are concerned about:

• If bubbles form, you may have a leak and should take immediate action: Turn off the propane supply to that appliance and call your Sparlings Branch immediately.
• If a leak is at fittings at a tank or cylinder: Turn off the propane (using the valve at the tank or cylinder), and call your Sparlings Branch immediately.
• If the tank or cylinder itself appears to be leaking: Call your Sparlings Branch immediately.

Important Note: This is not intended as a comprehensive commentary on leak detection and response. This general information is provided as an overview for information purposes only. Contact your Sparlings Branch for further information or assistance.

Propane is non-toxic. It is non-poisonous. But if you were in a room filled with propane, it may displace sufficient air that you may become light-headed, or unconscious. Extended oxygen shortage may cause asphyxiation.

Propane is heavier than air. In the unlikely event of a propane leak, vapours may collect in low-lying areas, including ditches, basements, and wells. If you suspect a propane leak, Contact your Sparlings Branch immediately.

Propane comes out of the same well as natural gas and crude oil. These products are called "hydrocarbons" because they contain hydrogen and carbon.

At a fractionation plant or refinery, the substances are "Cleaned up", heated, cooled and separated. The chemical formula for propane is C3H8.

Propane is shipped throughout North America by pipelines, trucks, tank cars (rail) and marine.

Just to look at propane, it would be difficult to tell it from water. Like water, propane can exist as a liquid or a gas.

In its natural state, propane is a clear, odourless, colourless, non-toxic liquid. As it changes from a liquid to a gas, it appears as bubbles.

In its natural state, propane is odourless.

As a safety precaution, an odourant called Ethyl Mercaptan is added so any presence of propane may be easily detected. And while most of us are able to detect even the slightest propane odour, some people are unable to.

Propane is stored under pressure, in specially designed tanks. Depending on the application, the cylinder or tank may be constructed of steel, aluminum, stainless steel or composite.

All Sparlings tanks are made to the highest standards by tank manufacturers in Canada and the United States.

Regardless of material, each propane cylinder and tank is designed and manufactured in accordance with stringent requirements. This applies to the cylinder on a barbecue, the tank in your backyard, or the tank on a propane delivery truck.

Propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than as a gas. Conversely, propane will expand 270 times if it changes from a liquid to a gas.

One litre of liquid propane will expand to 270 litres of vapour.

For propane to burn, there must be just the right mixture of oxygen and propane:

• If there is too much propane, and is too rich, it won't burn.
• If there is too little propane (too lean), it won't burn.

Propane will only burn when the mixture of propane and oxygen is within the range of flammability:

Lower Flammability Limit 2.4%
Upper Flammability Limit 9.5%

Example: a mixture of 2.4% propane and 97.6% oxygen through 9.5% propane and 90.5% oxygen will burn.

A flame will not burn inside a propane tank. The mixture is 100% propane too rich to support combustion.

There is a direct relationship between temperature and pressure:

• If the outdoor temperature is 10 degrees, the propane inside a cylinder or tank will also be 10 degrees.
• As the temperature outside the tank increases, so does the temperature inside the tank.
• As the temperature rises, so does the pressure inside the tank.

Propane cylinders and tanks are never filled to 100% capacity. Sufficient space must be left in the container for the liquid to expand. As the temperature of liquid propane increases, it expands and takes up more space inside the tank, forcing the vapour into a smaller, tighter space.

The radiator on a vehicle is a similar example most of us can relate to: on a hot day, or after an extended drive on a hot day, the liquid in a rad expands, forcing vapour into less space and the pressure increases. In extreme cases, the expanding liquid may expand, consume all available vapour space and the rad will bubble over.

Propane may dissolve natural rubber products and may affect some petroleum products.

That is why all hoses, fittings and material must be designed, manufactured and approved for specific use with propane, in accordance with all safety requirements.

Yes.
Sparlings constantly works to balance myriad factors in developing a continuously secure and reliable propane supply. We consider this the critical service component in the relationship with you, our valued Customers.

Nationally, over 80% of the propane produced in Canada originates in the natural gas stream.

Approximately 40% of Canadian production is consumed for domestic purposes. The other 60% is exported, primarily to the United States.

No.
Profits do not increase as the price of propane increases.

Sparlings purchases propane from major producers and wholesalers, and as wholesale prices increase, we pay more for propane to honour our secure and reliable supply commitments.

Sparlings offers a variety of practical cash management tools including Consistent Customer Pricing™, the Protection Plan, Equal Billing and custom-designed Payment Plans (i.e. Automatic Payment Plan, Pre-Authorized Payment, Telephone Banking).

Like all energies, propane prices are influenced by several primary factors, including supply and demand.

In recent years, consumers have also seen the influence of "geopolitical factors" on energy prices. These complex factors may be described simply as "any real or perceived threat to peace, reliable access to oil and gas, and steady refining, production and distribution."

The price of propane follows the price of crude oil and natural gas - these are sources of propane.

From time to time, Customers ask if there is a benefit to owning their own propane tank. It's a reasonable question. And the answer is simple: "No."

As a Sparlings Customer, you are provided with a propane tank or tanks, for a modest annual tank rental. As the tank owner, Sparlings is responsible for the following:

• Registration with TSSA
• Documented Initial Inspection
• Visual Inspection at Time of Each Propane Delivery
• Annual Documented Inspection
• Maintenance (including repairs, leveling and painting)
• Insurance
• Emergency Response in the Event of an Emergency
• Replacement Costs

In addition to other responsibilities, the Ontario Propane Association has produced a Consumer Guideline which outlines specific legal requirements for consumer tank ownership.

The burden of responsibility on consumers who own propane tanks and pressure vessels has never been greater. Should a consumer choose to own a propane tank, various legal requirements are his or her responsibility.

To provide propane supply to a consumer-owned propane tank, Sparlings would require confirmation that the consumer has properly registered the tank, carries sufficient liability insurance (Canadian industry standard is $5 million liability) and subscribes to the required inspection regimen, as prescribed by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).

Few propane companies in Ontario sell tanks to Customers. Those who do should be candid with their Customers about the legal responsibilities of tank ownership:

• the propane company may be downloading significant legal responsibilities to the Customer, including maintenance and insurance.
• the propane company still has responsibility for ongoing visual inspection and to ensure tanks are fit for service.

So, Why do Some Propane Companies Sell Tanks? For the Money.
The propane industry is capital intensive - and history suggests some propane companies sell propane tanks to their Customers to reduce the cost of starting and growing their businesses. In other words, if a company is able to encourage Customers to pay for tanks, it reduces the amount of capital - required to operate.

• Each Sparlings cylinder and tank is delivered and installed by qualified, licensed personnel in accordance with all safety requirements and Sparlings own Quality Assurance programs.
• While in service, each Sparlings tank is inspected by the driver at the time of each and every delivery. Any visible deficiencies are reported to Customer Service for follow-up.
• Sparlings completes a documented inspection of every propane tank annually.
• Once every 10 years, a complete appliance and equipment inspection is completed and documented.

In 2000, Sparlings was the first propane company in Ontario to implement such an ambitious and ongoing, tank management initiative the Propane Systems Monitoring Process.

Sparlings was the first propane company in Canada to use Remote Tank Monitoring technology. Tank Monitors enable Sparlings dispatchers and Customer Service team to monitor the amount of propane remaining in specific propane tanks across Ontario.

This information is sent from the tank monitor via modem to a secure website, which may only be viewed by Sparlings. From this, propane deliveries are scheduled to achieve maximum efficiency - and to reduce the number of trips to and from your property. This traffic reduction is one effective component in Sparlings BioSecurity program.

Sparlings is the largest user of remote tank monitors in Canada. Monitors are installed on propane tanks in service to applications (i.e. agricultural, commercial, industrial) which may have significant increases/decreases in propane consumption on a day-to-day basis.

Monitors transmit data indicating the amount of propane remaining in each tank, secure information which is only accessible to Sparlings Customer Service Team.

Benefits of tank monitors are straightforward:

• They reduce the likelihood of a supply interruption.
• They improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption by eliminating unnecessary trips.
• And they enable Sparlings to help meet Customer security and BioSecurity protocols by limiting the number of times per year propane trucks must enter protected facilities.

Monitors are installed and maintained by Sparlings personnel. There is no charge for this service.

Every propane cylinder and tank is fitted with a relief valve. If the pressure inside the tank or cylinder is too high, the relief valve is designed to activate at specific pressure levels.

Depending on the application, relief valves are pre-set to activate at different pressure levels.

Regardless of the application, if a relief valve is activated, it is designed to close again once the pressure inside the cylinder or tank has been reduced below the relief valve setting.

On most propane cylinders, the relief valve is an integral part of the service valve. It's one of the reasons propane cylinder valves must be replaced every 10 years.

Each time your propane cylinder (i.e. BBQ "tank") is refilled, a visual inspection is conducted. Evidence of damage or lack of maintenance may obligate the propane operator to decline the refill and advise why. Every 10 years, the service relief valve on your propane cylinder must be replaced and the cylinder re-inspected.

Most propane cylinders are constructed of steel, or aluminum.

Composite BBQ tanks are also available and while they are more expensive than steel, they are lighter, will not rust and they are translucent. You can see the amount of propane in the tank.

All cylinders sold by or placed in service by Sparlings are designed, manufactured and approved for use in Canada.