Engineering > Fire & Life-Safety > General Policies > Propane Gas Transportation

Fire and Life-Safety Group (FLS)

Propane Gas Transportation

I. INTRODUCTION

This document was prepared to list the requirements for transporting propane gas. The requirements listed below for propane gas transportation apply to the transportation of less than 420 lbs of propane gas. Additional requirements apply for larger volumes; please contact the Fire- and Life-Safety Group if transporting larger volumes in one vehicle. The requirements in this document are based on the 2005 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA-58).  Please ensure that all of the following requirements and all manufacturers' recommendations are implemented. 

II. REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSPORTING PROPANE GAS

• According to section 9.3.2.5 of NFPA 58, the cargo space of the vehicle shall be isolated from the driver's compartment, the engine, and its exhaust system, if LP-Gas capacity exceeds 90 lbs. Open-bodied vehicles shall be considered to be in compliance with this provision.

• According to section 9.3.2.6 of NFPA 58, cylinders and their appurtenances shall be determined to be leak-fee before being loaded into vehicles.

• According to section 9.3.2.7 of NFPA 58, cylinders shall be loaded into vehicles with flat floors or equipped with racks for holding cylinders.

• According to section 9.3.2.8 of NFPA 58, cylinders shall be fastened in position to minimize the possibility of movement, tipping, and physical damage.

• According to section 9.3.2.4 of NFPA 58, screw-on-type protecting caps or collars shall be secured in place. This indicates that cylinders may not be attached to a grill or similar device during transportation.

FPfile: CR-TransportationofPropaneGas.doc