Flame propagation characteristics of propane-air mixtures were experimentally investigated in constant-volume combustion chambers. Flame propagation process was observed as a function of mixture strength, initial mixture temperature and initial mixture pressure in quiescent mixtures. A cylindrical combustion chamber and a spherical combustion chamber contain a pair of parallel windows through which optical access into the chamber can be provided. Laser two beam deflection method was adopted to measure the local flame propagation, which gave information on the flame size and flame propagation speed. Pressure development was also measured by a piezoelectric pressure transducer to characterize combustion in quiescent mixtures. Burning velocity was calculated from flame propagation and pressure measurements. The effect of flow on flame propagation was also investigated under flowing mixture conditions. Laser two beam method was found to be feasible in measuring flame propagation of quiescent mixtures. Flame was observed to propagate faster with higher initial mixture temperature and lower initial pressure. Combustion duration was shortened in the highly turbulent flowing mixtures.