TRAINING GUIDE FOR OPERATORS OF
"[image showing various small lp systems available on page i of the index page of the PDF linked at the right]"
Prepared for United States Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Staff Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety
The U.S. Office of Pipeline Safety promotes the safe transportation by pipeline of natural gas, LP gas, liquefied natural gas and hazardous liquids. This guidance manual for operators of small LP gas systems is part of our commitment to pipeline safety. This manual was developed to provide a broad overview of pipeline compliance responsibilities under federal pipeline safety regulations. It has been designed for the non-technically trained person who operates a master meter system, a small municipal system or a small independent system.
The federal government recognizes that most operators of small LP gas systems have not had extensive training in operation and maintenance of a gas system. In addition, many of the safety regulations are in technical language that addresses generic requirements for both large and small LP gas systems. Therefore, this manual attempts to simplify the technical language of the regulations.
For certain critical regulations, this manual provides specific details of methods of operation and selection of materials that will satisfy the pipeline safety regulations. However, this is often only one of several allowable options. To assure compliance in many areas of the pipeline safety regulations, this manual provides a set of examples that the operator of small systems can use to meet the minimum requirements of the pipeline safety regulations.
This training guide relies on sources representing the best opinion on the subject at the time of publication. However, it should not be assumed that all acceptable safety measures and procedures are mentioned in this manual. The LP operator is referred to 49 CFR Part 192 and NFPA 58 for additional details and other options for reaching and maintaining compliance.
Our aim is to provide basic information to LP operators of small gas distribution and master meter systems to ensure compliance with the Federal gas pipeline safety regulations.
It is hoped that this document will assist you in achieving and maintaining a safe and efficient LP system. The result will be to enhance public safety - the essential goal for the Office of Pipeline Safety.
Stacey Gerard
Associate Administrator
,
Office of Pipeline Safety Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
The LP Gas Training Guide was initiated by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Staff Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.
The project was sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety.
The following committee members are recognized as experts in their fields and have given generously of their unique knowledge. They were directly involved in the development of this training guide.
Richard G. Marini, P.E.
(Committee Chair)
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
Kenneth W. Wood
Vermont Department of Public Service
Bill Lowry, P.E.
USDOT/PHMSA/OPS Central Region
Vicki O’Neil
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Jack Edwards
USDOT/PHMSA/Transportation Safety Institute
Theodore C. Lemoff, P.E.
National Fire Protection Association
Bennie Andrews
USDOT/PHMSA/OPS Southern Region
This guidance manual was implemented under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The manual relies on sources representing the best opinion on the subject at the time of publication. However, it should not be assumed that all acceptable safety measures and procedures are mentioned in this manual. The reader is referred to the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR Parts 190-199, Part 40 and also NFPA 58 and 59) for the complete pipeline safety requirements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I REPORTS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT I-1
CHAPTER II
PLANS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT II-1
CHAPTER III MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT QUALIFIED III-1
FOR USE IN PROPANE GAS SYSTEMS
CHAPTER IV
CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR IV-1
CHAPTER V
PROPER LOCATION AND DESIGN OF TANKS REGULATORS AND METER SETS V-1
CHAPTER VI
ONE-CALL DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM VI-1
CHAPTER VII VII-1
OPERATOR QUALIFICATION
CHAPTER VIII VIII-1
CORROSION CONTROL
CHAPTER IX
LP GAS REGULATORS IX-1
CHAPTER X
GAS LEAKAGE CONTROL GUIDELINES FOR PETROLEUM GAS SYSTEMS X-1
Appendix A-Federal and State Listings A-1
Appendix B-Sample Forms B-1