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LP gas board | comments & reviews by: R DeWayne Whiddon

s you read this article, I hope everyone had a holders report to the board incidents involving fires,
blessed holiday. I trust that many of you are explosions, propane release, and the like that occur
busy with the heating season after winter where an LP-gas system is installed. The regulation
Afinally made its appearance. Unfortunately, requires that incidents be reported immediately upon
as heating demand increases, so does the number of learning of them. The regulation also mandates the
incidents throughout the state. These incidents can reporting of specific information about the incident
include truck crashes and structure fires. Many heat- and related customer history. This information should
related fires are not caused by propane but by other be submitted to the board on an Incident Reporting
issues. These issues can range from the incorrect Form available on the board’s website at www.lpgb.
use of electric space heaters and extension cords, alabama.gov under Forms.
improper maintenance of wood-burning chimneys, The typical scenario following an incident
combustible materials placed close to space heaters, begins with reporting the incident to the board.
and a multitude of other possibilities. All incidents While we expect you to complete and submit the
must be reported to our office if a propane system form we provide, the code also requires that you call
is present, not just incidents that you suspect are us immediately to begin the process. Telephoning
propane related. Unfortunately, some fires are caused us allows us to gauge the totality of the situation
by unfound propane leaks or improper use of propane- and respond immediately if necessary. The board
fueled appliances. telephone number is (334) 241-8887, and a message

It is very important that you report any detailing further contact information is provided when
incidents where a propane system or truck is involved you call after-hours or on weekends. Information
to the Alabama LP-Gas Board. Alabama LP-Gas gathered as soon as possible after incidents, whether
Board regulation 530-X-2-.05 Reporting Incidents / through scene investigation or witness interviews, is
Vehicle Accidents / Complaints requires that permit often critical in properly determining the cause of an
incident.
In many instances, our investigations are
completed quickly. Other times, it may take a
little while to complete the full investigation. Our
investigations sometimes rule out LP-Gas as a cause
or vindicate the actions of propane personnel. Even
if it is ruled propane played a role in the fire, that
does not necessarily mean that a dealer did anything
wrong. It is also critical that dealers do not move
equipment prior to our investigation. Only move the
equipment if it is required for safety reasons or if
ordered to do so by emergency personnel. The main
thing is the safety of all involved. We work with all
entities involved to find the truth about the incident
and to promote safety in our industry.
The next quarterly meeting of the Alabama
LP-Gas Board will be held on January 11, 2024, at
10:00 a.m. at 770 S. McDonough St, Montgomery,
AL. Please keep in mind that a good source of
current information on board activities is available at
our website at www.lpgb.alabama.gov. Everyone is
welcome to stop by the board offices whenever they
are in the area.■

6 Alabama Propane Gas Association | January / February 2024