511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Sections

14-8. General Requirements.

LP-Gas Storage and Handling

Comply with relevant regulations and standards for storing, handling, installing, and using LP-Gas and systems.
Use approved containers, valves, connectors, regulators, and appliances specifically designed for LP-Gas.
Do not use materials like PVC and aluminum tubing in LP-Gas systems and ensure protection against damage from vehicles or equipment.

Safety Devices in LP-Gas Systems

Install one or more safety relief valves or devices on containers and vaporizers, ensuring free venting to the air and proper distance from building openings.
Position safety relief devices and regulator relief vents not less than 5 feet away from air intakes of sealed systems and mechanical ventilation.
Prohibit shut-off valves between safety relief devices and containers, except in specific configurations that do not hinder the safety device's capacity.

Valves, Connections, and Container Accessories

Ensure valves, fittings, and accessories have a minimum working pressure and are suitable for LP-Gas service.
Install shut-off valves close to the container and securely attach regulators and low-pressure relief devices.
Design multiple container systems to allow container replacement without stopping gas flow, but not necessarily requiring automatic changeover devices.

Prohibitions and Requirements for LP-Gas Containers

Avoid using LP-Gas containers in unventilated, below-grade spaces to prevent gas accumulation.
Prohibit welding on LP-Gas containers and adhere to specific distance requirements during refueling operations.
Ensure proper positioning, protection, and fire safety measures for containers stored outside or inside buildings.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

14-8. Where may safety relief devices and regulator relief vents be positioned in relation to air intakes of sealed systems and mechanical ventilation?

At least 10 feet away

Not less than 5 feet away

Within 10 feet away

No closer than 3 feet

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 14-8 (b.(22)).

14-8. General Requirements. (b.(22)).

b.  Material Storage.

(22)  LP-Gas.

(a)  Store, handle, install, and use LP-Gas and systems according to 29 CFR 1926.153, 29 CFR 1910.110, NFPA 58, and USCG regulations, as applicable.

(b)  LP-Gas containers, valves, connectors, manifold valve assemblies, regulators, and appliances must be of an approved type.

(c)  Any appliance that was originally manufactured for operation with a gaseous fuel other than LP-Gas and is in good condition may be used with LP-Gas only after it is properly converted, adapted, and tested for performance with LP-Gas.

(d)  Do not use polyvinyl chloride and aluminum tubing in LP-Gas systems.

(e)  Where damage to LP-Gas systems from vehicular or equipment traffic could occur, protect against damage (for example, crash barriers, bollards).

(f)  Safety Devices.

(f-1)  Every container and vaporizer must be provided with one or more safety relief valves or devices.  Arrange these valves and devices to afford free vent to the outside air and discharge at a point not less than 5 feet (1.5 m) horizontally from any building opening that is below the discharge point.

(f-2)  Container safety relief devices and regulator relief vents must be located not less than 5 feet (1.5 m) in any direction from air openings into sealed combustion system appliances or mechanical ventilation air intakes.

(f-3)  Do not install shut-off valves between the safety relief device and the container, or the equipment or piping to which the safety relief device is connected, except that a shut-off valve may be used where the arrangement of the valve is such that full required capacity-flow through the safety relief device is always afforded.

(g)  Container Valves and Accessories.

(g-1)  Valves, fittings, and accessories connected directly to the container, including primary shut off valves, must have a rated working pressure of at least 250 psi (1723.7 kPa) gauge and must be of material and design suitable for LP-Gas service.

(g-2)  Connections to containers (except safety relief connections, liquid level gauging devices, and plugged openings) must have shutoff valves located as close to the container as practical.

(g-3)  Regulators and low-pressure relief devices must be rigidly attached to the cylinder valves, cylinders, supporting standards, building walls, or otherwise rigidly secured and installed or protected from the elements.

(h)  Arrange valves in the assembly of multiple container systems so that replacement of containers can be made without shutting off the flow of gas in the system (this is not to be construed as requiring an automatic changeover device).

(i)  Do not use LP-Gas containers and equipment in unventilated spaces below grade in pits, below-decks, or other spaces where dangerous accumulations of heavier than-air gas may accumulate due to leaks or equipment failure.

(j)  Do not perform welding on LP-Gas containers.

(k)  Dispensing.

(k-1)  Shut down equipment using LP-Gas during refueling operations.

(k-2)  Perform filling of fuel containers for motor vehicles from bulk storage containers at least 10 feet (3 m) from the nearest masonry-walled building, at least 25 feet (7.6 m) from the nearest building of other construction, and, in any event, at least 25 feet (7.6 m) from any building opening.

(k-3)  Perform filling from storage containers, of portable containers, or containers mounted on skids at least 50 feet (15.2 m) from the nearest building.

(l)  Installation, Use, and Storage Outside of Buildings.

(l-1)  Containers must be upright upon firm foundations or otherwise firmly positioned. Provide flexible connections (or other special fixtures) to protect against the possibility of the effect of settlement on the outlet piping.

(l-2)  Store containers in a suitable ventilated enclosure or otherwise protect against tampering.

(l-3)  When storing containers awaiting use outside of buildings, locate them away from the nearest building or group of buildings according to table 14-2.

(l-4)  Provide storage areas with at least one approved portable fire extinguisher rated no less than 20-B:C.  See chapter 9 for additional portable fire extinguisher requirements.

(m)  Installation, Use, and Storage Inside of Buildings.

(m-1)  In industrial buildings not normally frequented by the public, store only the number of containers that, in total, can hold no more than 300 lb. (2,623.8 ft3) of LP-Gas.

Note. When stored inside, empty containers which have been in LP-Gas service must be considered as full containers for the purpose of figuring out the maximum quantity of LP-Gas permitted.

(m-2)  Do not place containers stored inside near exits, stairways, or in areas normally used for the safe exit of people.

(m-3)  Protect container valves while in storage.  Either set them into the recess of a container to prevent the possibility of it becoming struck if the container is dropped or fasten a ventilated cap or collar to the container.  The cap or collar must be capable of withstanding a blow from any direction equivalent to that of a 30 lb. (13.6 kg) weight dropped 4 feet (1.2 m).

(m-4)  Close all outlet valves on stored containers.

(m-5)  Equip storage locations with at least one approved portable fire extinguisher having a minimum rating of 8-B:C.  See chapter 9 for additional portable fire extinguisher requirements.

(m-6)  Locate containers, regulating equipment, manifolds, pipe, tubing, and hose as to minimize exposure to high temperatures or physical damage.

(m-7)  Do not exceed the maximum water capacity of individual containers of 245 lb. (111.1 kg) (that is, nominal 100 lb. (45.3 kg) LP-Gas capacity).

(m-8)  Containers having a water capacity greater than 2.5 lb. (1.1 kg) (that is, (nominal 1 lb. (0.5 kg) LP-Gas capacity) must stand on a firm and level surface and, when necessary, secured in an upright position.  Equip systems using containers having a water capacity greater than 2.5 lb. (1.1 kg) with excess flow valves, either within the container valves or in the connections to the container valve outlets.

(m-9)  Connect regulators directly to the container valves or to manifolds that are connected to the container valves.  The regulator must be suitable for use with LP-Gas. Design manifolds and fittings connecting containers to pressure regulator inlets for at least 250 psi (1723.7 kPa) gauge service pressure.

(m-10) Protect valves on containers having water capacity greater than 50 lb. (22.7 kg) (nominal 20 lb. (9 kg) LP-Gas capacity) from damage while in use or storage.

(m-11) Design hoses for working pressure of at least 250 psi (1723.7 kPa) gauge. All hoses and connections must be listed for the intended application in relation to design, construction, and performance.  Hoses must be as short as possible, but long enough to permit compliance with spacing requirements without kinking, straining, or damaging them by heat.