Lighting vs the BBQ?

[Just a new name]

Ok so I asked this awhile ago, but I am going to ask again. What would happen if lighting hit the propane tank sitting on a deck? Or even just past threw it? I know that big ones for home heating are grounded but what about the small ones? Is this a bomb?

[PyroSlayer]

Interesting question. There are only two ways that I can think of that this could become a bomb. One, the lightning strike splits or burns the tank causing a rupture and subsequent release of product, or two the lightning strike does not rupture the tank directly but causes rapid heating of the tank leading to a BLEVE, or maybe some combination of the above. I don't think there would be a problem as long as the tank could maintain its integrity. With the power released by a lightning strike, I don't see any way the tank could hold up though. Maybe someone with a litle more knowledge on this could shed some more light on your question.

[Ragifiro]

No clue here, have you tried contacting Coleman or someone who makes the tanks? I am sure they would be able to give you a solid answer

[captstanm1]

My guess would be that if lightening were to strike the tank it would explode on impact. I only say this after looking back at the damage lightening has done to houses, trees, chimneys etc when it strikes. The force of the impact is devastating and I would imagine that in the case of the promae tank...it woudl be similar to the impact and damage that would occure during a train derailment.

This is just a SWAG on my part (scientific wild *** guess)

[N2DFire]

You might try looking through http://www.propanesafety.com

I did a super fast run through this morning but didn't have time to really dig around.

[BillyMott]

Being a 20+ year Fire Fighter in the Tampa Bay area of Florida where we have the "unofficial" moniker of Lightning capitol of the world, with LOTS of outdoor BBQ's, I can only say this. I have never been to one, but I would agree with CaptStanm1, where he says seeing the damage done to houses and trees an such. All I can really say is I hope to never see one.

[Rescue101]

Well as luck would have it folks,we've experienced the near miss of this scenerio.We had a summer camp hit by lightning which caused a fire on the porch/deck area which involved the aforementioned grill and tank.Guess what?Burns like hell!Control is same as any other LP incident.Direct hit?If you're not standing right there,non issue.What will be is what will be when you arrive.I'll give you a hint.Can you say "Working structure"?T.C.

[E229Lt]

I thought this thread would be about hanging a steak from the tail of a kite in an electrical storm.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

I think the esteemed firefighter Benjamin Franklin invented that cooking method Loo.

[Co11FireGal]

Jeez. I sure do hope not. Maybe I'll request that my dad find a new place for the grill. Like, maybe, some place VERY FAR AWAY from our house.

[647gifd]

storm over head moving grill to middle of the yard.........
hope to get answer soon..................

[captstanm1]

Rescue 101...sounds as if your fire involving the propane was a result of the deck beign struck and burning and the propane being an exposure problem.

[Rescue101]

Yeah Stan,it's one of those either or kinda things.Either the house exposed the grill or the overheated venting tank exposed the house.Either way it was a ****a of a fire for about three minutes.You get to see all kinds of weird wonderful stuff when the transplants get here for the summa.(tm) T.C.

[PuffyNPFD]

Ya got me!!!!!!

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Since outdoor propane gas grills are made of metal, and metal conducts electricity, and electricity seeks ground, I would venture to guess that the energy from the lightning bolt would be channeled through the frame of the grill to the ground.

[Temptaker]

When I was a kid I was outside in a storm, I watched the lightning hit a metal pole that was close to a propane tank (not bbq tank) in my neighbors yard. The tank and pole were both sitting on a concrete slab, not only did it explode, it shot up in the air about 150ft and made a big nasty hole in the ground, and took out part of the house and made a nice fire.