Liquefied Petroleum Gases

1. Liquefied Petroleum Gases

2. Hazards of LP gas • Flammable • Asphyxiant 1a

3. Hazards of LP gas • Can freeze tissue on contact • Exposure limits • Butane - 800 ppm • Propane - 1000 ppm 1b

4. Hazards of LP gas • Container markings • Markings to identify compliance • Name and address of supplier on container • Water capacity of the container • Designed pressure in psig 1c

5. Hazards of LP gas • Container markings • Wording • Tare weight • Markings indicating maximum fill level • Outside surface area in square feet 1d

6. Storage and handling requirements • Odorization • Containers, equipment, systems must be DOT-approved • Welding procedures for containers 2a

7. Location of containers and regulation equipment • Containers and first-stage equipment must be located outside of buildings • Location of containers with respect to nearest important building 3a

8. Location of containers and regulation equipment • Containers installed for use cannot be stacked • Ignitable materials within 10 feet of containers must be removed 3b

9. Location of containers and regulation equipment • Minimum separation distances • Use dikes, diversion curbs, grading to prevent accumulation of flammable liquids 3c

10. Location of containers and regulation equipment • LPG containers cannot be located in diked areas for flammable liquid tanks 3d

11. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Valves, fittings, and accessories connected directly to the container must be rated to a working pressure of 250 p.s.I.g. • Must be suitable for LP-gas service - can’t be made of cast iron 4a

12. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Connections to containers must have shutoff valves • Piping must be wrought iron or steel, brass, copper, aluminum alloy • Piping must met ANSI standards 4b

13. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Vapor piping and pipe joints must be suitable for operating pressures • Tubing must be seamless • Fittings must be appropriate for the operating pressures 4c

14. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • The use of threaded cast iron pipe fittings is prohibited • Strainers, regulators, meters, compressors, and pumps are not to be considered pipe fittings 4d

15. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Hose must be made of materials resistant to liquid and vapor LP-gas • Hose subjected to container pressure must be marked “LP-Gas” or “LPG” within 10-foot intervals 4e

16. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Hose and hose connections must meet bursting pressure requirements • Containers and vaporizers must be provided with safety relief valves 4f

17. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Safety relief valves must be spring-loaded type 4g

18. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Valves must allow free venting to the outer air at least 5 feet away from any building opening • The rate of discharge must meet the specifications of the regulation 4h

19. Container valves, accessories, safety devices • Safety relief valves must be marked with information about discharge pressures, rates • All piping and hose must be tested after assembly 4i

20. Vaporizers and vaporizer housings • Indirect-fired vaporizers using steam or water must meet ASME codes 5a

21. Vaporizers and vaporizer housings • Vaporizers must be marked with • code of the construction specifications • allowable working pressure and temperature • sum of the outside surface area • inside heat exchange surface area • name and symbol of the manufacturer 5b

22. Filling densities • Defined as the percent ratio of the weight of the gas in a container to the weight of water the container will hold at 60 degrees F 6a

23. Requirements for LPG in buildings • Restrictions exist for piping vapor at pressures in excess of 20 p.s.i.g into buildings • Liquid may be permitted in buildings only when the buildings meet certain construction requirements 7a

24. Transferring liquids • One attendant must remain close to the transfer connection • The owner of the container must authorize filling and use • “Single-trip containers” and “Non-refillable containers” can not be refilled or reused 8a

25. Transferring liquids • Maintain required distances between filling point and nearest building • Charging and gauging of fuel supply containers • Maximum vapor pressure 8b

26. Transferring liquids • Transfer equipment • Shutting down equipment • Shut down open flames prior to refueling 8c

27. Loading and unloading • Tank car sidings must be level • “Tank Car Connected” signs must be in place at active ends • Block the wheels of the tanks car 9a

28. Loading and unloading • Have an attendant present at all times • Equipment used during loading/unloading 9b

29. Loading and unloading • Loading/unloading factors • Proximity to railroads/highways • Nearby buildings • Nature of occupancy • Topography • Construction type • Number of cars that can be loaded/unloaded at one time • Frequency of loading/unloading 9c

30. Electrical equipment • Must meet requirements of 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S • Review Table H-28 • Keep open flames away from vaporizer rooms, pumphouses, charging rooms 10a

31. Liquid-level gauging devices • Containers are equipped with a fixed liquid-level gauge • Gauges must have a design working pressure of 250 p.s.i.g. 11a

32. Appliances • Appliances must be properly converted, adapted, and tested • Unattended heaters must have automatic shut off device • Appliances must be installed in accordance with NFPA standards 12a

33. Cylinder systems • Containers must be marked in accordance with DOT regulations 13a

34. Cylinder systems • Cylinder systems include: • Containers • Container valves • Connectors • Manifold valve assembly • Regulators • Relief valves 13b

35. Systems that use other-than-DOT approved containers • Watch service is necessary for systems that have a water capacity of 2,000 gallons or more • Watch service must be trained in basic LPG requirements 14a

36. LPG as a motor fuel • Passenger-carrying vehicles may not be fueled with passengers on board • Industrial trucks with permanently mounted containers must be charged outdoors 15a

37. LPG as a motor fuel • Shut down engines while fueling • Secure fuel containers 16a

38. Storage of containers awaiting use or resale • Locate so as to minimize exposure to: • excessive rise of temperature • physical damage • tampering • Do not locate near exits, stairways 17a

39. LPG systems installation • Applies to: • LPG system installation on vehicles used for commercial and construction operations • exchangeable container systems with container capacities greater than 105 pounds water capacity • systems using containers permanently mounted on vehicles 18a

40. LPG service stations • Design pressure • Classification of storage containers 19a

41. LPG service stations • Container valves, accessories, relief valves • Capacity of liquid containers 19b

42. LPG service stations: installation of storage containers • Minimum distances • Remove ignitable material within 10 feet of containers • Separation distances 19c

43. LPG service stations: installation of storage containers • Diking, diversion curbs, grading • Do not locate LPG containers near diked areas for flammable liquid containers • Contraction, expansion, vibration, settling 19d

44. LPG service stations: installation of storage containers • Flotation • Aboveground containers • Underground containers 19d

45. LPG service stations: installation of storage containers • Protection of container fittings, piping, valves • Transport truck unloading points • Equipment used for pumps and dispensing devices 19e

46. LPG service stations: installation of storage containers • No smoking in fueling areas - post signs • Shut off motors when fueling • Electrical equipment requirements • Approved fire extinguishers 19f

47. Summary of main points • Hazards of LPG • Basic requirements • Equipment and systems • Transferring of liquids 20a

48. Summary of main points • Loading/unloading of tank cars and transport trucks • DOT container systems • Non-DOT container systems 20b

49. Summary of main points • LPG as motor fuel • Storage of containers awaiting use or resale • LPG installation on commercial vehicles • LPG service stations 20c