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Department of Public Safety

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission

LOUISIANA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 55. PUBLIC SAFETY

Subchapter I. Adoption of Standards

§ 181. National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet Numbers 54 and 58

A. The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission hereby adopts the National Fuel Gas Code, 1996 edition. The National Fire Protection Association designation is NFPA 54-1996. The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission also adopts the Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases, 1995 edition. The National Fire Protection Association designation is NFPA 58 - 1995.

B. The commission may adopt subsequent editions of these standards by a rule change in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

C. Any published Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission rules and regulations shall take precedence over the standards referenced and adopted in §181.A.

D. The commission reserves the right to make an exception to any rule adopted in §181.A, as it applies to local conditions as it deems necessary in the interest of public safety.

E. The following are exceptions to the standards referenced in §181.A:
1. With regard to §2.6.6, Protective Coatings, in NFPA 54—galvanized pipe and fittings, copper pipe and fittings, and copper tubing and fittings may be used to meet this requirement;
2. With regard to §3.1.2, Protection Against Damage, in NFPA 54-—pipe must be buried at a minimum to the depth of the frost line and shall be protected where there is heavy vehicular traffic and protected against physical damage where such damage is reasonably expected;
3. With regard to §3.1.3, Protection Against Corrosion, in NFPA 54—the provisions shall be considered met in Louisiana when galvanized pipe and fittings, copper pipe and fittings or copper tubing and fittings are used;
4. With regard to §2-2.6.6, Name and Emergency Service Telephone Number, in NFPA 58-1995—the provisions of §2-2.6.6 shall be considered met in Louisiana when dealer–owned tanks on consumer premises have the dealer's name affixed. Consumer-owned tanks require no markings. See §113.A.1.f of these rules;
5. With regard to §3-9.3.10, Emergency Shut-off of Power, in NFPA 58-1995—the provisions of §3-9.3.10 shall be considered met in Louisiana if the operator has provided an alternative to shut off power in the event of a fire, accident or other emergency other than the switch(es) or circuit breaker(s) located at the dispenser(s);
6. With regard to §3-3.6.b, Alternative to Fencing, in NFPA 58-1995—the provisions of §3-3.6.b shall be considered met in Louisiana, if, as an alternative to fencing the operating area, suitable devices are installed, that can lock the discharge end of the transfer hose valve, prevent unauthorized operation of the pumping equipment and protect against vehicle impact in accordance with good engineering practice acceptable to the commission;
7. With regard to §3-9.3.9, Shut-off Valve on End of Transfer Hose, in NFPA 58-1995—the provisions of §3-9.3.9 shall be considered met in Louisiana if a listed quick-acting shut off valve with positive lock off or a listed globe valve is installed at the discharge end of the transfer hose.
8. With regard to §4-4.3.1, NFPA 58-1995--the maximum permitted filling limit for any container, where practical, shall be determined by weight. DOT specification cylinders of 100 lbs. propane capacity or less that are in commerce or transportation shall be filled by weight only.
Exceptions:
a. DOT cylinders filled from bobtails at customer facilities if equipped for filling by volume and are not transported over the highways of the State of Louisiana. An example would be forklift cylinders filled by bobtails and used on premises and not placed in transportation over the highways of the State of Louisiana.
b. DOT cylinders filled by customers from customer tank facilities, if equipped for filling by volume and are not transported over the highways of the State of Louisiana. An example would be forklift cylinders filled by customers from their tanks and used on their premises and not placed in transportation over the highways.
c. DOT cylinders that are permanently affixed if equipped for filling by volume. An example would be motor fuel tanks or DOT cylinders permanently affixed to recreational vehicles.
9. With regard to §4-4.3.2, NFPA 58-1995--§4-4.3.2.a shall not be applicable in Louisiana. §4-4.3.2.b DOT specification cylinders of 100 lbs. propane capacity or more. (See DOT regulations requiring spot checks.)
10. With regard to §2-2.1.4.b , NFPA 58-1995-DOT cylinders of 100 lbs. or less shall not be filled, continued in service, or transported unless they are properly qualified or requalified for L.P. Gas service, if they are in commerce or transportation. Transportation of empty cylinders for requalification or disposal shall not be a violation of this rule. DOT cylinders of 100 lbs. or more shall not be refilled, continued in service or transported unless they are properly qualified or requalified for L.P. Gas service in accordance with DOT regulations, meaning in commerce and transportation. Transportation of empty cylinders for requalification or disposal shall not be a violation of this rule. Qualification or requalification must be in accordance with C-3.2 of Appendix C, NFPA 58-1995. In addition to the requirements of C-3.2 of Appendix C, NFPA 58-1995 each cylinder that has successfully passed requalification must be marked with a RIN issued by the DOT in accordance with §180.213 of CFR 49. This requirement shall be effective for all requalifications after May 8, 2003. Variation from the marking requirement may be approved by the Associate Administrator of the DOT and those variations will be accepted by Louisiana as being in compliance.
11. Adding as a supplement to NFPA 58-1995--in Louisiana all DOT cylinders from 4 lbs. through 40 lbs. propane capacity fabricated after August 1, 1999 shall be equipped with a listed overfilling prevention device (OPD) and a fixed maximum liquid level gauge. All DOT cylinders from 4 lbs. through 40 lbs. propane capacity, used in Louisiana, shall be retrofitted with a overfilling prevention device (OPD), if they are requalified after August 1, 1999 or by September 30, 2010, whichever comes first. No DOT cylinder 4 lbs. through 40 lbs. shall be filled in Louisiana after September 30, 2010, unless equipped with an overfilling prevention device (OPD). Lift truck cylinders and cylinders marked, identified and used for welding and cutting gases are exempt from these provisions.
12. With regard to §6-2.2.7, NFPA 58-1995 edition--containers having an individual water capacity not exceeding 108 lb. (49kg) [nominal 45 lb. (20kg) LP-Gas] capacity transported in open vehicles and containers having an individual water capacity not exceeding 10 lb. (4.5 kg) [nominal 4.2 lb. (2kg) LP-Gas] capacity transported in enclosed spaces of the vehicle shall be permitted to be transported in other than the upright position, however may not be transported in the upside down position or resting on their protective ring or protective collar. Containers having an individual water capacity exceeding 108 lb. (49kg) [nominal 45 lb. (20kg) LP-Gas ] capacity transported in open vehicles and containers having an individual water capacity exceeding 10 lb. (45kg) [nominal 4.2 lb. (1.9kg) LP-Gas] capacity transported in enclosed spaces shall be transported with the relief device in direct communication with the vapor space.
13. In NFPA 58-1995 Edition under 5-2 General Provisions add the following provisions:
A. All curb stops used as crash protection shall be at least 5 feet from the cage, 5 inches high and staked into the ground.
B. All posts, if used as crash protection, shall be metal at least 2 inches in diameter, 20 inches above ground level, at least 2 feet from the cage and no more than 4 feet apart.
C. Each cage or area immediate to the cage shall have a “No Smoking” sign, the name of the permit holder, if not already displayed on the premises, and the supplier name.
D. All ignition sources, including any appliances, or the cabinets of appliances, such as coke machines, water coolers, electric dispensing machines etc., shall be at least 5 feet from the cage.
E. Cages shall be at least 5 feet from points of public gatherings such as pay phones, benches, smoking areas, and break areas.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:1846.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission, LR 20:1404 (December 1994), amended LR 24:470 (March 1998), LR 25:1263 (July 1999), LR 25:2412 (December 1999), LR 27:2257 (December 2001), LR 31:2568 (October 2005).