Final answer:
The maximum propane pressure inside an industrial building is determined by local regulations, system design, and safety considerations, with propane tanks built to withstand pressures beyond typical operation. Pressure is influenced by temperature, as explained by Gay-Lussac's Law, and various safety warnings emphasize the risks of high temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum propane pressure allowed inside an industrial building is not a one-size-fits-all number as it depends on various factors such as local regulations, the design and construction of the propane system, the specific application for which propane is being used, and safety considerations. Safety codes often dictate these parameters. Generally speaking, propane tanks are designed with a safety factor in mind, meaning they can handle pressures beyond what is normally expected during operation. As an example, a metal cylinder storing gas at room temperature might have a pressure of about 200 atmospheres and not fail until reaching approximately 400 atmospheres.
Gases like propane exert pressure on the container walls due to the collisions of gas particles. Factors such as temperature affect this pressure; for example, according to Gay-Lussac's Law, a higher temperature will increase the pressure inside a propane tank. In such cases, gauge pressure would register higher on warmer days.
Safety warnings, such as those found on aerosol cans, often emphasize not exposing the container to high temperatures to prevent the risk of explosion due to increased pressure. Therefore, the maximum allowable pressure in an industrial setting will be dictated by such safety considerations and codes that take multiple factors into account.