NFPA 58: 2017 Edition and Beyond!

Eric Nette, P.E.NFPA

NFPA Terms

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• Step 1: First Draft– Public Input (PI)– First Revision (FR)

• Step 2: Second Draft– Public Comment (PC)– Second Revision (SR)

• Step 3: Technical Session– Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM)

Ground Snow Load

• Incidents involving Snow– Problem is two fold

• Snow can damage• Gas follows path of least resistance

– Most Common Incident• Snow falls off Roof onto Equip• Overhangs don’t prevent

– Solution• ASCE Snow Load Calculations• Previously snow depth (not density)

Vehicular Barrier Protection (VBP)• Requirements in NFPA 58 and IFC

– Intended for only accidental damage– IFC requires Bollards in 312.2

• For systems • not cabinets

– NFPA 58 requires VBP• Performance based options• For systems• Cabinets (2014 edition not 2017)

Vehicular Barrier Protection (VBP)• Bollards (IFC and NFPA)

– Concrete filled, 4 in. diameter (Sch-40), 6 ft. steel pipe– 3 ft. embedded in 15 in. diameter concrete footing– Favorable/unfavorable soil conditions not specified

• NFPA Bollards– Same Bollards as IFC or– Performance requirements

• Minimum 3 ft. in height• 6,000 lbf (53,375 N) applied 3 ft. in height

– 12,000 lbf (53,375 N) applied 3 ft. in height

VBP Study• Southwest Research Institute testing

– Propane Education Research Council (PERC)– Bollards

• Prescribed bollards• One with Concrete pad• One without Concrete pad

– Cabinets• One manufacturer• Steel/Aluminum cabinet• 3 conditions

– Braced against concrete– Overfilled with cylinders– Bolted

VBP Study• Testing of mock vehicles

– SUV and Passenger 5-10 mph– 4,000 lbs. 18 in. bumper height– 6,000 lbs. 26 in. bumper height

• Static Loading also tested– Determine total performance of the bollards

• Pulled at top• Unrestrained resisted 300 lbf

• Restrained resisted 11,000+ lbf

VBP Study Findings• Bollards

– Prevented vehicle movement at 5 mph– Did not prevent vehicle movement at 10 mph

• Cabinets– Prevented cylinder failures

• Cylinders pressurized (no failures)• Also tested at higher pressures

Porta-Pac’s and Skid Tanks• Problem

– Autogas- “Chicken before the Egg”– Oil Platform Sites– Lack of delineating with portable containers

• Solution– Construction req. added

• Skid Tanks• Porta-Pacs

– Location req. added– Portable Containers– Portable Storage Containers

Disconnected Containers• Problem

– Containers placed haphazardly• Openings not plugged• Placed randomly despite hazard• PRV’s not in Vapor Space

• Solution– Containers placed in bulk plants– Containers placed in approved areas– Containers placed properly

• Separated as other containers

Hot Air Balloons• Problem

– Containers need to be filled• Specialized

– Cool temperatures at altitudes– Large releases of Propane (Excess-Flow valves)

– Filling Issues• Removing wrappings

• Solution– Must meet FAA Air Worthiness Directives (AWD)

• 14 CFR• Exceptions for Excess-flow Valve• New Filling Requirements

– Allowing Pilot/crew to fill– Doesn’t need to be removed from wrappings– Flight Log

Containers <2 lbs.• Problem

– Emerging market of refillable containers <2 lbs.– Retrofitting of disposable containers to be refilled

• Consumer driven• Youtube instructions

– Some disposables have remaining propane

• Solution– New construction req.– New appurtenance req.

Food Trucks

• Incidents– Explosion in Philadelphia

• Caught on Camera• Not the first, but the most visible• Corroded 25 lbs. DOT cylinder

– Should not have been filled– Various fires

• Multiple Hazards– Electrical– Gas– Cooking (Grease, oils, etc.)

Food Trucks• Issues

– www.nfpa.org/foodtrucksafety– Gaps in Code

• 3 different codes for 3 different hazards/applications– Different experts for different hazards

• Adoption issues– Chicago (since 2012)

» Inspected by Health» Inspected by Fire» Fire Classes

– Indiana» Fire is not allowed to inspect

Questions

Eric Nette, P.E.NFPAenette@nfpa.org