[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57484-57485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22952]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration


Pipeline Safety: Safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) 
Distribution Systems

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of advisory bulletin.

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SUMMARY: This advisory bulletin urges owners and operators of liquefied 
petroleum gas (LPG) distribution systems to review their compliance 
with all leak detection, corrosion monitoring, and emergency response 
procedures, including training of emergency response personnel and 
liaison with emergency responders. Heavy rains and frozen soils can 
cause leaking propane to migrate to low areas, such as basements, and 
impede measurement of the presence of combustible gas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Huriaux, (202) 366-4565; or by 
e-mail, [email protected]. This document can be viewed at 
the OPS home page at http://ops.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On September 1, 2002 a propane gas explosion leveled a house in 
Snow Hill, MD. An employee of the local gas distribution company was 
killed and 17 emergency responders and others were injured, four 
critically. The accident is under investigation by the Maryland Public 
Service Commission. Initial

[[Page 57485]]

observations indicate that the propane gas explosion occurred as the 
basement was being mechanically ventilated. The propane gas may have 
leaked into the house from a corroded service line.
    The Federal pipeline safety regulations for gas pipeline systems 
(49 CFR part 192) provide safety requirements for corrosion control, 
leak detection, operations and maintenance, and emergency response for 
LPG systems. Leak detection on LPG systems is complicated because LPG 
is heavier than air and has a lower explosive limit (LEL) of 2 percent 
in air. Leak detection equipment must be calibrated to detect this 
lower concentration. Leak detection may also be complicated by 
extremely wet or frozen soils and by ineffective leak detection 
procedures. Wet or frozen soils can effectively cap an area of leaking 
gas and cause gas that had been venting through the soil into the air 
to be redirected along underground utility lines or through loosely 
compacted soils into structures, especially basements. Both these 
conditions require leak detection procedures that emphasize measurement 
of gas below the surface of the soil or pavement. Usually this is 
accomplished by ``bar holing'' and examination of below ground areas, 
such as manholes, storm drains, and basements.
    In addition, the gas pipeline safety regulations require an 
operator to establish and follow written procedures for responding to 
an LPG pipeline emergency (49 CFR 192.615). The operator's emergency 
plan for LPG must recognize its different characteristics. The operator 
must establish effective communications between utilities and 
appropriate fire, police, and other public officials. The regulations 
require a continuing educational program to enable customers, the 
public, and appropriate government organizations to recognize an LPG 
pipeline emergency and to take action to notify the gas operator and 
local emergency responders (49 CFR 192.616).
    Prompt and effective response is required when gas is detected in 
or near a building. All actions should be directed to protecting people 
through a prompt evacuation of the affected buildings and securing the 
area.
    RSPA and its state pipeline safety program partners have recently 
issued a manual to assist LPG pipeline operators in safely operating 
their systems and effectively responding to emergencies. The Training 
Guide for Operators of Small LP Gas Systems, which was prepared for 
RSPA by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, 
includes information on LPG pipeline system operations and maintenance 
and on preparing the required emergency response manual. Chapter X 
addresses gas leakage control guidelines for LPG systems. It includes 
guidelines for the detection, grading, and control of gas leakage for 
systems handling LPG and other heavier-than-air gas mixtures.
    Another excellent source of information on complying with the gas 
pipeline safety regulations is the Guide for Gas Transmission and 
Distribution Piping Systems (copyright) (ANSI GPTC Z380.1-
1998), which is published by the Gas Piping Technology Committee. The 
document provides useful detail on written emergency procedures, 
including making the area safe through evacuation, access control, 
elimination of sources of ignition, ventilation, and coordination with 
emergency responders. It also addresses procedures for establishing 
liaison and emergency planning with public officials.

II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-02-05)

    To: Owners and Operators of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) 
Distribution Systems.
    Subject: Safety of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Distribution 
Systems
    Purpose: To advise owners and operators of liquefied petroleum gas 
(LPG) distribution systems
    Advisory: Owners and operators of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) 
distribution systems should review their compliance with all leak 
detection, corrosion monitoring, and emergency response procedures, 
including training of emergency response personnel and liaison with 
other agencies.
    LPG system operators should ensure that their procedures are 
adequate to detect leaks of heavier-than-air gas. LPG leaks do not 
dissipate as readily as does the natural gas, which is lighter than air 
and tends to rise through the soil. Leak detection may also be 
complicated by extremely wet or frozen soils that effectively cap an 
area of leaking gas and cause gas that had been venting through the 
soil into the air to be redirected along underground utility lines or 
through loosely compacted soils into structures, especially basements. 
Both these conditions require a leak detection procedure that 
emphasizes measurement of gas below the surface of the soil or 
pavement. Usually this is accomplished by ``bar holing'' and 
examination of below ground areas, such as manholes, storm drains, and 
basements.
    In addition, the gas pipeline safety regulations require an 
operator to establish and follow written procedures for responding to 
LPG pipeline emergencies (49 CFR 192.615). This includes establishment 
of communications systems between utilities, and appropriate fire, 
police, and other public officials. The regulations also require an 
operator to establish a continuing educational program to enable 
customers, the public, and appropriate government organizations to 
recognize a gas pipeline emergency and to take action to notify the gas 
operator and local emergency responders (49 CFR 192.616).
    Prompt and effective response is required when gas is detected in 
or near a building. All actions should be directed to protecting people 
first through a prompt evacuation of the buildings, followed by 
establishing access control, elimination of sources of ignition, 
ventilation, and coordination with emergency responders.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 5, 2002.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 02-22952 Filed 9-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P