What Should a Propane Dealer Do After a Customer Runout?

After a runout or shutoff, have a qualified professional check the system for leaks when gas is turned back on. Tell the customer not to open the tank valve themselves. Arrange for proper pilot relighting too. A missed monitor alert or app order does not remove those safety steps.

Treat restoring gas as service work

PERC’s safety guidance calls for a qualified professional to check for leaks when gas is turned back on after a runout or shutoff. Put that step in the office plan. An online order must not tell a customer to restore gas themselves.

A suspected leak is an emergency

PERC says to get everyone away at once. As they leave, they must avoid sparks, switches, appliances and flames. From a safe place, call the propane retailer, 911 or the fire department. Stay away until cleared to return. Do not ask them to find the leak or wait for an app reply.

Review the missed alert afterward

Once the immediate safety response is handled, save the last tank level and time. Keep the order, office contacts and service record too. Assign someone to review what went wrong. That review does not replace the leak check or decide who is liable.

Questions owners ask

Does a new delivery order clear the leak-check step?

No. An order does not replace the qualified professional’s leak check when gas is restored after a runout or shutoff.

Who is liable if a monitor missed the runout?

The safety guide does not decide that. Have your advisers review the facts, contracts and insurance.

Next step

Review your runout response with your qualified service lead first. Then ask us to show how the order and service records connect.

Last reviewed: October 17, 2026
Author: The Blink Fuel team