Years ago, I switched propane providers. The previous company had been charging me $6.25 a gallon, and most of that was tank rental. The new company sold me a lifetime tank, and agreed to charge $2.25 a gallon.
When they arrived to put in the tank, they indicated that they needed $50 to file for a fire permit to inspect the install. When I questioned why they needed an inspection when they were doing no alterations to the piping - just dropping in a brand new tank, they told me that propane could be dangerous, and that state law required an inspection. I paid the fee.
One month goes by. Two months go by. Three. No word from the fire department. Since I watched the guy install the tank, and check all of the connections with soapy water, I didn't worry about it.
A year later, I get a phone call from the fire department.
"We need to book an appt to inspect the new install."
After 10 seconds of silence, I responded, "What? Really? Why would you bother??"
In his official voice, he came back with "Propane is dangerous. We need to make sure that the install was done right so you don't blow yourself up."
I retorted, "So if you don't inspect, I'm in danger?"
"Yep. Every single day."
"Then why has it taken a year to do the inspection? The tank went in a year ago?"
Silence.
"Well we have to do the inspection."
I agree, and we book an appt..
The guy comes out, walks around the corner of the house, looks at the tank from 20 feet away, pronounces it safe, and heads down the driveway.
Lesson learned is that we are all responsible for our safety, and that we alone need to stand up when we see something that isn't right. No matter how much pressure we get from bosses, so-called experts, and anyone else, we need to stand firm on what we know is right, and not budge.
