Page 13 - sept-oct 2019

a hot roadway. Notably, the clicking here. In the event of an overfill
RV manufacturer had a history NFPA 58 sets out proper and subsequent release of gas,
of similar claims against it, all in- filling operations in Chapter 7 how should you respond? PERC
volving fires that occurred when and 12. Chapter 7 deals gener- provides guidance in a scenario
an RV was being operated over ally with all containers. Section that includes an overfilled 20
a hot roadway. An alternate 7.4.4.1 provides that the OPD is pound cylinder stored in a heat-
ignition theory sponsored by the intended as a back up safety ed garage. After notification
retailer was that a defect in the measure to prevent overfills and of the incident, the four primary
propane line leading from the that “other means as provided objectives are to first isolate
container to the engine was in the chapter must be used ignition sources in the home,
the initial source of the leak that when filling containers, even if and then provide ventilation to
subsequently ignited and then an overfilling prevention device disperse the gas, identify the
caused the container’s pressure is present and expected to stop source of the leak, and finally
relief valve to activate. flow into the container before stop the leak. Because a “sniff
Of course, a likely way the other means indicate the test” is not a reliable way to
the container could have been container is properly filled.” determine if an area is safe, gas
overfilled was if the OPD did not Chapter 12, which was added detectors should be used to de-
function as designed or was to the Code in 2017, applies termine the level of flammabil-
installed incorrectly. What are (with a few exceptions) to LP ity. PERC also cautions against
the chances of an OPD failing gas systems and ASME contain- using ventilators to “suck out”
to operate properly? One study ers installed on motor vehicles air from a structure because
by the Department of Energy in “where LP-Gas is used for the doing so draws potentially
2010 may provide a clue. It was engine propulsion of the vehi- flammable gas into the venti-
prompted by reported cases cle.” While the filling limits from lator where it can ignite. Only
of propane fueled vehicles Chapter 7 are still applicable, positive pressure ventilation
being overfilled. It consisted of Section 12.4.7.4 provides that should be used to remove gas
monitoring a total of 105 vehi- “[w]here the overfilling pre- from the structure. The PERC
cles over seven propane fleets. vention device is used as the website includes a video and
The study found that sixteen primary means to fill the ASME other materials that describe
percent of the OPDs failed to container, the fixed maximum how a retailer should respond
prevent an overfill. As a result, liquid level gauge or other ap- to this scenario. Click here to
the study made 3 recommen- proved means shall be used at download the scenario.
dations: 1) that fleet operators least once annually to verify the Case law provides
inspect the OPDs to ensure operation of the overfilling pro- other illustrations of the types
proper operation; 2) that users tection device.” In other words, of accidents that can occur
be trained on proper fueling the OPD on a propane-fueled involving allegedly overfilled
and maintenance practices as vehicle can be relied upon for cylinders. Unsurprisingly, sever-
well as awareness of an overfill filling, so long as its accuracy al involve gas barbeque grills.
potential; and 3) that industry is tested at least annually. The See Sears, Roebuck and Co.
groups develop and implement Code also requires that the test v. Menegay, 907 S.W.2d 72 (Tx.
standard inspections to ensure result be documented and that Ct. App. 1995); Allstate Ins. Co.
proper OPD operation. The the date of the next annual test v. Sunbeam Corp., 865 F. Supp
safety advisory generated as a must appear on a label affixed 1267 (N.D. Ill. 1994). On a relat-
result of the study is available by to the tank near the fill point.
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13 Alabama Propane Gas Association | September / October 2019