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LP gas board | comments & reviews
s you read this article I trust that many fire. The Fire Marshall’s office worked the scene
of you are busy with the winter season on the day that it occurred, and contacted
Unfortunately, as heating demand our office requesting an inspector the following
Aincreases so do the number of fires day to investigate the LP-Gas system The Fire
throughout the state The causes of heat related Marshall’s office taped off the scene for the
fires can range from incorrect use of electric purpose of continuing their investigation the next
space heaters and extension cords, improper day Upon arriving at the scene the next day, it
maintenance of wood burning chimneys, was discovered that the propane tank and “yard
combustibles too close to space heaters, propane line” had been removed from the scene by the
leaks not identified following interruptions of propane dealer Once equipment is removed
service, and a multitude of other possibilities from the scene, the scene has been altered, and
It is very important that you report any investigation by the Alabama LP-Gas Board is
incidents to the Alabama LP-Gas Board Alabama futile because it would require much speculation
LP-Gas Board regulation 530-X-2- 05 Reporting Therefore, it is critical that propane dealers avoid
Incidents / Vehicle Accidents / Complaints tampering or the appearance of tampering with
requires that permit holders report to the board fire scenes.
incidents involving fires, explosions, propane The typical scenario following an incident
release, and the like that occur where an LP-gas begins with reporting the incident to the board
system is installed The regulation requires that While we expect you to complete and submit
incidents be reported immediately upon learning the form we provide, code also requires that
of them The regulation mandates the reporting you call us immediately to begin the process
of specific information about the incident and Telephoning us allows us to gauge the totality
related customer history This information should of the situation and respond immediately if
be submitted to the board on an Incident necessary The board telephone number is (334)
Reporting Form available on the board’s website 241-8887, and a message detailing further contact
at www.lpgb.alabama.gov under Forms information is provided when you call after-hours
The purpose for reporting the incident, or on weekends Information gathered as soon
along with all pertinent information, to the as possible after incidents, whether through scene
board is to help the administrator of the board investigation or witness interviews, is often critical
determine if LP-gas or its handling could have in properly determining the cause of an incident
been a contributing factor to the incident If the If you are unsure whether or not you should
administrator determines that LP-gas could have report something to the board, play it safe and
been a contributing factor, then an investigation call us for guidance We communicate regularly
will be conducted by a board inspector While with the Alabama Fire Marshall’s office, and they
it’s true that information gathered during a fire often provide information that eliminates LP-gas
investigation might reveal improper actions as the possible cause of an incident Therefore,
by a propane dealer, these investigations can as soon as we learn about an incident we have
sometimes eliminate LP-gas as the cause or the opportunity to begin communications with
vindicate the actions of propane personnel other investigative entities to gather critical
In recent years, a fire involving fatalities information ■
came to the attention of the Alabama LP-Gas
Board through communication with a deputy
of the Alabama State Fire Marshall An LP-gas
system was installed at the home involved in the
7 Alabama Propane Gas Association | January / February 2020
