Posted: April 8, 2026
Out of Gas. OOG. Interruption of service. Runout. Empty container. While we at Callahan’s Gas do our best to avoid any sort of interruption in propane supply, it’s an unfortunate fact that sometimes, a propane system will encounter an interruption of service due to running out of gas. This can happen for a variety of reasons, which we will cover here, along with our immediate and long-term solutions: first and foremost to remedy the issue at hand, and then to diminish the likelihood of it happening again.
PERC (the Propane Education and Research Council) defines an interruption of propane service as a situation “when the vapor pressure in the vapor distribution system is no longer sufficient for all appliances to operate”. This is an important distinction, as a tank gauge can reach 0% but still maintain vapor pressure – in which case all gas appliances on the system can still function, uninterrupted, for a brief period of time. Unofficially, a propane tank gauge nearing 0% but still maintaining vapor pressure would qualify as “cutting it way too close for a delivery”, but would ultimately not be an interruption in service. Conversely, even if the tank gauge doesn’t hit 0% but an appliance stops working due to inadequate vapor pressure, that would be considered an interruption in service.
Any interruption of service in a propane system requires a leak test – it’s code, company policy, and a fundamental safety practice. This process involves testing the entirety of the piping system for leaks, a visual inspection to ensure all gas piping and connections are up to code, and also ensuring any/all pilot lights are relit and appliances are functional. Ensuring the functionality of the gas appliances is the last piece of the puzzle, and closes the loop on what started the whole process: a gas appliance failing to operate. So how can this happen in the first place?
An out of gas situation is almost never expected from the propane supplier’s perspective, and is completely incongruous with our (the propane supplier’s) mission to provide you (the customer) with an uninterrupted supply of propane. Optimal deliveries occur when your tank gets filled around the 20-30% mark. Compare it to being on a cross-country road trip: stopping for gas at about ¼ tank allows for a bit of wiggle room in case the next service station is 5 exits away, but also doesn’t require pulling off and stopping every 10 miles to top off the tank. Waiting until the gas light comes on is unnecessarily risky, and the increased risk of running out outweighs any potential benefit of a more optimized route (in either case: the hypothetical cross country trip, or our bobtail driver’s delivery schedule).
There are a slew of reasons a tank can run out, despite the efforts from the dispatching team, software, and technology that are employed to prevent such occasions. These reasons range from innocuous and innocent to slightly more complex or involved. Perhaps some family has been in town that particularly enjoys extra long showers and relaxing by the fireplace. Maybe a stuck needle on the propane gauge relays a false signal to our office via a remote monitor transmission. Even an undetected drip in the hot water piping can lead to increased propane consumption over time! No matter the cause, if there is an interruption of service, the restoration of that service will entail testing the system, code checking, and repairing/resolving any issues prior to the gas being turned back on. Important note: if you suspect that you might be out of gas or have any other other gas supply issue, immediately call Callahan’s Gas.
Our process to restore propane service at Callahan’s Gas is centered around both safety and expediency. From our perspective, it is often faster and more efficient to send out a technician with a temporary (or “jump”) tank to get things back up and running as a primary response to an out of gas call rather than the bulk truck driver. Particularly in the cold months, our drivers shoulder a heavy load, and have a lot of tanks to fill – and therefore, a schedule to keep. Our technicians can be more reactionary day-to-day, and as a bonus, will have the tools and equipment necessary to address any issues that may be found within the gas supply system during the leak test process. Furthermore, they’ll have more relative flexibility in their route/schedule than the delivery drivers.
The process to set a jump tank mirrors the delivery process, with a few extra steps:
This may at first seem like a lot of steps and extra work, but it’s by far the best way for us to ensure tank runouts get addressed in a timely manner without sacrificing delivery stops (and therefore, risking more runouts!). And the process doesn’t end when the jump tank returns to the yard – delivery patterns and algorithms are being constantly updated, and an out of gas will always lead to a review and breakdown internally to determine the reason it happened, and how to prevent it from happening again. These adjustments could be as simple as increased delivery frequency, additional tank storage, or maybe an alteration to the software’s calculations is in order. Remote-read tank monitors are also becoming more common, and while not completely ubiquitous (and not always a viable option), are an important arrow to have in the quiver to prevent any unexpected gas interruptions.
While our ultimate goal is to have zero out of gas calls, life has a tendency to be unpredictable at times. At Callahan’s Gas, we promise to do our best to alleviate one aspect of uncertainty from your day to day life, and keep your propane tanks full and happy in order to keep you and your family safe and warm. Contact us today to learn more!
