Subchapter A. LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS

§ 13.1. Definitions.

 The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   Act—The act of December 27, 1951 (P. L. 1793, No. 475) (35 P. S. § §  1321—1329).

   Authorized attendant—An employe of a manufacturer, distributor or user of liquefied petroleum gas who has been trained in the proper performance of his duties, with complete training recognition in the hazards involved in the handling of liquefied petroleum gas, and who has been officially authorized to perform designated duties by the employer.

   Bulk plant—Any liquefied petroleum storage facility consisting of storage tank or tanks and related equipment used for the filling of smaller liquefied petroleum gas containers which are sold or delivered, or both, to wholesale or retail dealers or to users; the term shall include consumers of liquefied petroleum gas who use storage tanks to refill their own cylinders or tanks if the storage facilities are less than 2,000-gallon water capacity.

   Cylinder—Any container constructed and maintained in accordance with the Interstate Commerce Commission cylinder specifications for use in storing and transporting liquefied petroleum gas.

   Dealer—Any person who sells liquefied petroleum gas to customers located in this Commonwealth except:

     (i) Merchants who sell both liquefied petroleum gas and the container thereof where such container is 21/2 pounds water capacity or less.

     (ii) Public utilities regulated by the Public Utility Commission distributing liquefied petroleum gas by pipelines.

     (iii) Producers not selling to users directly.

   Industrial and utility user—Any person who is the consumer of liquefied petroleum gas who maintains total storage capacity of 2,000-gallons water capacity or more.

   Industry—Standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association for the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases (NFPA—58) and the installation of gas appliances and gas piping (NFPA—54).

   Liquefied petroleum gas—Any substance in a liquefied or gaseous state which is composed predominately of any hydrocarbon such as propane, propylene, butane, normal butane or isobutane and butylene or their mixtures.

   NFPA—National Fire Protection Association.

   Owner—Any person who owns the storage tanks shall be considered the owner of the bulk plant or shall be considered the industrial or utility user.

   Person—Any individual, firm, partnership, unincorporated association, corporation or municipality, and the Commonwealth.

   System—An assembly of the cylinder or cylinders, tank or tanks and auxiliary equipment, with the piping connecting such parts. This term does not include any public utility distribution systems.

   Tank—Any portable or stationary vessel intended for use on storing liquefied petroleum gas with a water weight capacity of more than 1,000 pounds avoirdupois.

 (a)  This subchapter sets forth rules to safeguard the lives, limbs and health of the public and of workers where liquefied petroleum gas is manufactured, handled or used.

 (a)  The provisions of this subchapter apply to the design, construction, transportation, handling, location, operation, and inspection of tanks, cylinders, equipment, piping, appliances, and transportation facilities utilized in the handling, transportation, and use of liquefied petroleum gas as defined in this subchapter.

 (b)  The provisions of § §  13.11—13.29 (relating to general requirements) apply to all classes of vessels and equipment.

 (c)  The provisions of § §  13.31—13.45 (relating to special requirements) apply to the particular vessels and equipment designated in each individual section, in addition to the requirements of § §  13.11—13.29.

 (d)  Standards as developed for the 1976 edition of the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (NFPA # 58) and the 1969 edition of the Installation of Gas Appliances and Gas Piping (NFPA # 54), are part of these regulations by reference and shall govern only when they are more inclusive or more stringent than the Pennsylvania Regulations for Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

 (a)  A person shall be billed for each class of registration required by section 3.2 of the act (35 P. S. §  1323.2).

 (b)  Dealers shall be billed for one certificate based on the total number of customers served regardless of the number of locations used in the dealership.

 (c)  Bulk plant owners shall be billed for a certificate for each location of bulk plants.

 (d)  Industrial and utility users shall be billed for a certificate for each location of usage.

 (e)  Certificates shall be posted at the location of each bulk plant and industrial and utility usage and the original certificate shall be posted at the main office of dealers with photocopies of the certificate to be posted at each dealership location.

 The owner of a bulk plant shall, 15 days prior to the installation modification or removal of storage facilities, notify the Boiler Division, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety, of these activities.

   The provisions of this §  13.7 adopted October 27, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 2907.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

§ 13.11. Suitability.

 (a)  Tanks, cylinders, equipment and appliances utilized in the storage, handling, and use of liquefied petroleum gas shall be of a type and construction suitable for such purpose.

 (b)  Shutoff valves and equipment, liquid or gas which may be subjected to container pressure shall be suitable for liquefied petroleum gas service and be designed for not less than 250 pounds per square inch.

 (c)  No connectors or fittings shall be utilized throughout liquefied petroleum gas systems unless suitable for the particular purpose used. The design and material used in all connectors and fittings shall provide strength sufficient to prevent failure within the maximum pressure to which they may be subjected in normal operation.

 No person other than the owner and those authorized by the owner to do so shall fill, or refill any liquefied petroleum gas tank or cylinder for any purpose.

 (a)  All liquefied petroleum gases shall be effectively odorized so as to give positive indication, by distinctive odor, of the presence of gas in case of leakage, unless this requirement is waived when no useful purpose can be gained, and upon approval by the Board.

 (b)  The degree of odorization shall be at least that produced by the use of one pound of ethyl mercaptan, 1 pound of thiophane, or 1 2/5 pounds of amyl marcaptan per 10,000 gallons of liquefied petroleum gas or equivalent.

 Safety devices shall be installed and maintained in good condition whenever the provisions of this subchapter require it.

 (a)  Tanks and cylinders shall be located outside of buildings other than buildings especially provided and meeting industry standards for this purpose, except that cylinders may be temporarily used indoors under all of the following conditions:

   (1)  If used for demonstration purposes and the cylinder has a maximum water capacity of 12 pounds.

   (2)  If used with a completely self-contained gas hand torch or similar equipment, and the cylinder has a maximum water capacity of 2-1/2 pounds.

   (3)  When used for industrial purposes, the maximum capacity limitation may be extended up to 300 pounds.

   (4)  When used as motor fuel in industrial trucks covered by industry standards.

 (b)  Whenever it is practicable, tanks shall be installed above ground. When installed below ground, they shall conform to all of the following requirements:

   (1)  Before installation they shall be treated with a special corrosive resisting coating, which shall consist of the following:

     (i)   Hot-dip galvanizing.

     (ii)   Two preliminary applications of red lead followed by a heavy coating of coal tar or asphalt, or other approved treatment.

   (2)  During the operation of placement underground, care shall be taken to prevent damage to the coating on the tank.

   (3)  Proper care shall be taken in the selection of the spot where the tank is placed so that adequate precautions can be taken to avoid future shifting and settling.

   (4)  Inspection certificates shall be posted and kept readily available to Department inspectors.

 (a)  As is provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA—58), piping may consist of any of the following:

   (1)  Seamless copper.

   (2)  Brass.

   (3)  Steel.

   (4)  Aluminum, except that it shall not be used in exterior locations or where it is in contact with masonry, plastic walls or insulation.

 (b)  Except as provided in subsection (a), piping shall consist of wrought iron, steel, brass, or copper.

 (c)  Piping or tubing shall be of sufficient strength to withstand mechanical handling at the required working pressure, but in no case less than 125 pounds per square inch for gas and 250 pounds per square inch for liquid.

 (d)  Containers of 125 or more gallons water capacity manufactured after July 1, 1962, shall be provided with an approved device for liquid evacuation, the size of which shall be 3/4 inch National Pipe Thread minimum. A plugged opening will not satisfy this requirement.

 (a)  Hose shall be fabricated of materials which will not deteriorate through action of liquefied petroleum gas and shall be of sufficient strength to withstand mechanical handling at maximum developed pressure or excess temperatures.

 (b)  Flexible hose may be used on the low pressure side of a system provided that it is of substantial construction and that connectors are designed for such use.

 (c)  Hose shall be so installed that it will not be adversely affected by high temperatures from the consuming appliance.

 (a)  Only an authorized attendant shall connect, disconnect and remain close to the operation at all times during transfer of liquefied petroleum gas.

 (b)  Transfer of liquids shall not be performed in proximity to any open flame or other source of ignition.

 (c)  No person or persons shall fill or refill any tank or cylinder with liquefied petroleum gas unless such vessel is designed and constructed for that purpose, in accordance with this subchapter, and with authorization from the owner.

 (d)  Gas or liquid shall not be vented to the atmosphere to assist in transferring contents of one container to another except that this shall not preclude the use of listed pumps utilizing LP-Gas in the vapor phase as a source of energy, and venting such gas to the atmosphere at a rate not to exceed that from a No. 31 drill size opening. Such venting and liquid transfer shall be located not less than 50 feet from the nearest building.

 (e)  Tanks and cylinders shall be gauged and charged only in the open air or in buildings specially constructed or provided for that purpose.

 (f)  The maximum vapor pressure of liquefied petroleum gas which may be transferred into a tank or cylinder shall be in accordance with accepted practice in the industry for the particular type of gas being handled.

 (g)  Smoking by any person engaged in the transfer of liquefied petroleum gas into tanks or cylinders shall be prohibited during any stage of connecting, disconnecting or transfer.

 The maximum permitted filling density shall not exceed ratings established by the industry.

 Filling connections on tanks and cylinders which are filled at the installation shall be provided with effective automatic check valves.

 Vaporizers shall not be installed inside of any storage tank or cylinder.

 (a)  Intake and discharge connections on tanks as well as on cylinders, which are used to supply fuel directly to internal combustion engines, shall be labeled to designate whether they communicate with vapor or liquid space.

 (b)  A positive automatic shutoff valve or regulator shall be provided in the fuel system to prevent flow of gas to the mixer when the engine is not running.

 Pressure reducing regulators shall be connected to the shutoff valve directly or by means of a suitable flexible connection. In either case the connection shall be rigidly supported.

 There shall be no more than two plugged openings on a tank or cylinder of 2,000 or less gallons water capacity.

 Tanks and cylinders shall be set upon firm foundations or otherwise firmly secured. Vessels shall have flexible piping connections or special fittings if a settling condition may affect the safety of the connections.

 All electrical equipment and connections shall be installed according to the provisions of Chapter 39, Subchapter B (relating to electric safety) and shall be so maintained as to provide special protection where such precautions are indicated.

 (a)  No repairs by welding shall be made on any pressure part of a liquefied petroleum gas system, until the system has been purged.

 (b)  Repairs by welding shall be made only by a qualified welder employed by a manufacturer of equipment, or by a distributor or user authorized to do so after approval by the Department.

 (c)  Tanks and cylinders shall be kept properly painted or otherwise treated to provide adequate protection against effects of weather exposure.

 Readily ignitable material including weeds and long dry grass shall be removed within ten feet of any tank or cylinder, and the area maintained in a clear condition.

 (a)  Every employe whose duties involve the handling of liquefied petroleum gas, or the installation, repair, or maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas systems, shall be thoroughly instructed on the properties of liquefied petroleum gas and trained in all details in his responsibilities with respect to safe practices in the handling, transportation, and use of it. Distributors shall furnish complete instructions to employes and users on the proper care and use of systems which they install for service.

 (b)  No person other than a representative of the owner, or distributor of such vessel or of recognized service agency, such as a fire department, police department, civil defense agency, or other public agency shall connect or disconnect any tank or cylinder.

 (c)  Owners or distributors of tanks and cylinders shall remove such vessels from establishments within ten days of notification to do so.

   This section cited in 34 Pa. Code §  13.4 (relating to scope); and 34 Pa. Code §  13.96 (relating to filling of cylinders).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TANKS

§ 13.31. Construction, test and inspection.

 (a)  Liquefied petroleum gas tanks shall be designed, constructed, tested and inspected according to § §  3.141—3.145 and 3.151—3.156.

 (b)  Inspection of aboveground tanks shall be according to regular Department procedure.

 (c)  Safety equipment and connections to underground tanks shall be annually inspected by the Department. Complete inspection of the underground tank itself shall be required at least once every 5 years. To comply with this section, a metal plate at least 60 square inches in area and of substantially the same material and finish as the tank, stamped with the number of the vessel, shall be buried adjacent to the tank and dug up at least once every 5 years. If the plate shows evidence of corrosion the tank itself shall be completely exposed for inspection.

 (d)  Annual certificates of operation shall be obtained as required by the act of May 2, 1929 (P. L. 1513, No. 451) known as Boiler Regulation Law (35 P. S. §  1301—1318.1).

 (a)  Tanks shall be located with respect to the nearest building or line of adjoining property which may be built upon according to the following table:

 (b)  The distance requirements described in subsection (a) may be reduced to not less than ten feet for a single container of 1,200 or less gallons water capacity if the container is at least 25 feet from another LP-Gas container of more than 125 gallons water capacity.

 (a)  In cases of bulk storage in heavily populated or congested areas, special care shall be taken to ascertain safe limits of tank capacity, total storage and proper distances from buildings and other areas.

 (b)  In industrial installations involving tanks of large capacity, where serious mutual exposures between the tank and adjacent properties prevail, the Department may require fire walls designed and constructed in accordance with good engineering practices.

 (c)  In the case of buildings devoted exclusively to gas manufacturing and distributing operations the distance specified in §  13.32 (relating to location) may be reduced. Tanks may not be located without regard to the safety of employes or the public.

 (a)  Storage tanks installed above ground, except for skid tanks, shall be provided with substantial masonry or noncombustible structural supports on firm masonry foundations.

 (b)  Horizontal tanks shall be mounted on saddles to permit expansion and contraction. Every tank shall be so supported to prevent the concentration of excessive loads on the supporting portion of the shell. Structural metal supports may be employed when they are protected against fire in an effective manner. Suitable means of preventing corrosion shall be provided on that portion of the tank in contact with the foundations or saddles.

 (c)  Tanks of 2,000 or less gallons water capacity may be installed with ferrous metal supports if mounted on concrete pads or footings, and if the distance from the outside bottom of the tank shell to the ground does not exceed 24 inches.

 (d)  Tanks with the foundations attached, that is, portable or semiportable tanks with suitable steel runners or skids and usually known in the industry as skid tanks, shall have the supports designed, installed and used in accordance with accepted practice in the industry.

 (e)  Skids or lugs for attachment of skids shall be firmly secured. However, skid tanks shall not be used in place of tank trucks, tank trailers or tank semitrailers for regular deliveries.

 Escape pipes from safety relief valves on tanks of 2,000 or more gallons water capacity shall be provided and shall discharge into the atmosphere at least seven feet in a vertical direction from the tank and shall be unobstructed. They shall be fitted with loose raincaps at the pipe terminal. Escape pipes shall be arranged so that the discharge into the atmosphere is more than five feet from any building opening.

 Where hose is to be used for transferring liquid from one tank to another, wet hose is recommended. Such hose shall be equipped with suitable shutoff valves at the discharge end. Precautions shall be taken to prevent excessive hydrostatic pressure in the hose.

 (a)  Each tank to be used for liquefied petroleum gas, hereafter constructed and installed, shall be stamped with the ASME symbol and marked as required by §  3.144 (relating to marking). In addition, the water capacity of the tank shall be marked in pounds or gallons (U.S. Standard), and the overall length and diameter of the vessel shall also be placed on the tank.

 (b)  Tanks used in storing, handling or transporting liquefied petroleum gas in industrial establishments shall be clearly marked on their outer surface with the type of liquefied petroleum gas which they contain.

 (a)  Safety relief valves of a type designed for use with liquefied petroleum gas shall be provided on all tanks. They shall be of a design and construction generally acceptable to good practice in the industry. They shall be set to relieve at the designed maximum working pressure of the vessel, except that for tanks built with a safety factor of five, they may be set to relieve at not more than 125% of such pressure. They shall be connected directly to the vapor space, and marked as required by §  3.144 (relating to marking).

 (b)  Excess or back flow check valves shall be required on all tank openings except for the following:

   (1)  Safety relief valve connections.

   (2)  Openings which are smaller than No. 54 drill size.

   (3)  Service line connections on tanks of 2,000 or less gallon capacity if they are equipped with reducing regulators.

 (c)  The valves described in subsections (a) and (b) shall close automatically at the rated flow of vapor or liquid as specified by the manufacturer. The connections or lines including valves, fittings, or other attachments being protected by the excess flow valve shall have a greater capacity than the rated flow of the excess flow valves. Means shall be provided to allow equalization of pressures.

 (d)  Check valves of suitable type shall be installed on the intake connection of every tank.

 (e)  Excess flow and check valves when required by the provisions of this Subchapter shall be located inside the tank, or at a point outside where the line enters the tank.

 (f)  All connections to tanks, when it is practicable, shall have shutoff valves of the quick-closing type. They shall be located at the tank except for the following:

   (1)  Safety relief valve connections.

   (2)  Liquid level gauging devices.

   (3)  Plugged openings.

   (4)  Pressure gauge openings.

 (g)  The requirements of subsection (f) of this section do not prohibit installation of a relief valve manifold assembly if the manifold and valves are so arranged that adequate relief valve capacity is always connected to the vapor space of the tank.

 (h)  Each tank with over 2,000 gallons water capacity shall have a suitable pressure gauge connected directly to the vessel. The dial of such gauge shall be graduated to at least 1 1/2 times the pressures at which the relieving device is set to function.

 (i)  Every tank, except those filled by weight, shall be equipped with a liquid level gauging device. Such gauging device shall be arranged so that the maximum liquid level is readily determinable. Gauging devices shall be designed to withstand a working pressure of at least 250 pounds per square inch.

 (j)  An effective relief valve shall be installed on the low pressure side of the regulator, and it may be an integral part of the regulator.

   This section cited in 34 Pa. Code §  3.12 (relating to frequency of inspection); and 34 Pa. Code §  13.4 (relating to scope).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CYLINDERS

§ 13.41. Design, construction, test and inspection.

 (a)  Cylinders shall be designed, constructed, tested, and inspected in accordance with the requirements of nationally accepted standards after approval of such standards by the Board.

 (b)  To assist in the accomplishment of this requirement all distributors of liquefied petroleum gas shall keep accurate record of all installations at point of distribution, such records to be readily available to inspectors of the Department.

 (c)  When LP-Gas and one or more other cylinder gases are stored or used side by side, labeling may be necessary to identify cylinder content. Such labeling shall be in compliance with American Standard ASA Z48.1-1954, Method of Marking Portable Compressed Gas Containers to Identify the Material Stored.

 (a)  Cylinders shall not be installed within a horizontal distance of 5 feet when possible, but in no case less than 3 feet of any building opening located below outlet level.

 (b)  Cylinders shall not be installed one above the other when placed in service.

 (a)  All cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas shall be equipped with effective safety relief valves and other safety devices designed to prevent accidents. Cylinders which are refilled at the installation point shall be provided with check valves. Fusible plugs may be accepted on cylinders constructed prior to the effective date of the provisions of this subchapter, but shall not be acceptable in lieu of safety devices on new construction.

 (b)  Valve protecting caps or other means of protection against mechanical injury shall be provided, and regulators shall be rigidly supported.

 (c)  Any present and future installations of shutoff valves on cylinders shall be plainly marked to indicate the opening and closing directions of such valves.

 Cylinders which have been exposed to fire or otherwise damaged shall not be used again until they have been returned to a manufacturer for repair and retest.

 Cylinders shall be requalified for service at least within ten years of their manufacture and every five years after that. Such requalification shall consist at least of thorough exterior examination of the vessel, fittings and connections. Requalification may be made by the owner or manufacturer and proper records shall be kept of the results of such tests and made available to the Department.

   This section cited in 34 Pa. Code §  13.4 (relating to scope).

VAPORIZERS

§ 13.51. Direct and indirect fired vaporizers.

 (a)  Direct fired vaporizers shall be constructed, marked, installed, and inspected as required by § §  3.71—3.76, 3.81—3.87 and 3.131—3.136.

 (b)  Indirect fired vaporizers shall be constructed, marked, installed and inspected according to the requirements of § §  3.141—3.145 and 3.151—3.156 except vaporizers having an inside diameter of six inches or less. Such vessels shall be designed and constructed as to safely sustain a working pressure of not less than 250 pounds per square inch. These vessels need not be permanently marked except for the name of the manufacturer and the designed pressure.

 (a)  Vaporizers shall be located with respect to adjacent tanks, cylinders and buildings in accordance with safe practices developed in the industry.

 (b)  The use of vaporizers in buildings where persons are employed, other than attendants, is prohibited except in buildings used exclusively in gas manufacturing and distribution.

 (c)  Where vaporizers are installed in buildings, rooms, housings, sheds or lean-tos used exclusively for gas manufacturing or distribution, such structures shall be of noncombustible construction or equivalent and well ventilated near the floor line and roof.

 (a)  Safety relief valves shall be provided on all vaporizers designed for liquefied petroleum gas. They shall be of a design and construction generally acceptable to good practice in the industry and shall be set to relieve at the designed working pressure of the vaporizers. Such valves shall be directly connected to the vaporizers and marked with the name or identifying trademark of the manufacturer, the pipe size valve inlet and the pressure at which the valve is set to blow.

 (b)  Fusible plugs shall not be installed on vaporizers.

 (c)  Gas fired heating systems supplying heat for vaporization purposes shall be equipped with automatic safety devices to shut off flow of gas to main burners and pilot in case of failures of the pilot light.

LOADING, UNLOADING, AND TRANSPORTATION

§ 13.61. Tank cars.

 (a)  The track of tank car sidings shall be approximately level and the wheels of cars shall be blocked at both ends while loading or unloading liquefied petroleum gas.

 (b)  A sign shall be installed at the active end or ends of the siding while the tank car is connected for loading or unloading. Such sign shall be of such standard size and form as used in the industry.

 (a)  The discharge from safety relief valves shall be vented away from the tank upward and unobstructed to the open air to prevent any impingement of escaping gas upon the tank. Size of discharge lines from safety relief valves shall not be smaller than the nominal size of the relief valve outlet connection. Suitable provision shall be made for draining condensate which may accumulate in the discharge pipe.

 (b)  Any portion of piping between tank and pump inlet or any wet hose which at any time may be closed at each end shall be provided with a relief valve to prevent excessive pressure from developing in the hose.

 (a)  Pumps and compressors shall be properly protected and mounted. They may be driven directly or by truck motor power take-off. The pumps, except constant speed centrifugal pumps, shall be equipped with suitable pressure actuated bypass valves permitting flow from pump discharge to pump suction or back to tank when the pump discharge pressure rises above a predetermined point.

 (a)  A suitable stop shall be mounted on the truck, semitrailer or trailer or on the tank in such a way that the tank cannot be dislodged from its mounting when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop. Back slippage shall also be prevented by proper methods.

 (a)  Each cargo truck or tractor shall be provided with at least one approved portable fire extinguisher having at least a 12-B, C rating, or when more than one is provided, each cargo truck or tractor shall have at least one extinguisher having an 8-B, C rating. Ratings shall be in accordance with the Standard for Installation, Maintenance and Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers (NFPA No. 10).

 (a)  Fuel may be used from the cargo tanks of a truck while in transit but not from cargo tanks on trailers or semitrailers.

 (b)  The use of fuel from the cargo tank to operate stationary engines is permitted if the wheels are securely blocked.

 (c)  Cylinders from which gas is to be withdrawn only in the gaseous phase shall be installed and equipped with suitable valves and connections to prevent the accidental withdrawal of liquid.

 (d)  Piping and equipment shall be installed, braced, and supported so as to reduce to a minimum the possibility of strain or wear. Piping shall not be installed in proximity to sources of extreme heat.

 (e)  No single fuel tank or cylinder used exclusively for supplying fuel to the motor shall exceed 300 gallons water capacity.

BULK FILLING PLANTS, INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS,
AND UTILITIES

§ 13.71. Location.

 (a)  The cylinder filling rooms shall be located far from storage tanks and such distance shall never be less than 10 feet from them.

 (b)  Tank truck filling station outlets shall be located far from pumps and compressors and in such distance shall not be less than 10 feet from them.

 (c)  If pumps and compressors are housed in one or more separate buildings they shall also be located far from storage tanks and all sources of ignition. However, in no case shall this distance be less than 10 feet from tanks and 25 feet from sources of ignition.

 (a)  Adequate fire protection shall be available at all times and suitable means of access to storage areas shall be provided for firefighting equipment. At bulk filling plants a minimum of a 12 B, C rating portable fire extinguisher shall be provided.

 (b)  Adequate fire protection shall be available at all times and suitable means of access to storage areas shall be provided for fire fighting equipment.

STORAGE OF DISCONNECTED RESERVED CYLINDERS

§ 13.81. Premises of users.

 (a)  Cylinders on the premises of users which are not connected for use shall be stored according to the following requirements:

   (1)  When stored in buildings, they shall be enclosed in rooms of fire-resistive construction separated from any other occupancy or storage. Such rooms shall not be artificially heated beyond a temperature of 60° F nor shall they be in locations where they are liable to excessive heat exposure from any source. They shall also be ventilated to the outer air.

   (2)  When stored in the open air, they shall be protected against the effects of weather and their location shall be a safe distance from any area accessible to the public.

 (b)  Valves shall be closed on all full or empty cylinders.

 Cylinders destined for resale or distribution shall be stored on the premises of such owner or distributor in accordance with the following requirements:

   (1)  When stored in buildings they shall be enclosed in fire-resistive rooms separated from any other occupancy or storage. Such rooms shall not be artificially heated beyond a temperature of 60° F or in locations where they are liable to excessive heat exposure from any source. Such room or compartment shall not be below ground level and shall have no openings communicating with other occupancies. The space below the floor shall be of solid fill or be properly ventilated to the open air. The building or compartment or room shall be vented top and bottom to the outside only and the outlet of such vents shall not be within five feet of any other building opening. Such storage of containers shall not be adjacent to any place of public assembly.

   (2)  When stored in the open air they shall be protected against the effects of weather and their location shall be a safe distance from any area accessible to the public.

   (3)  Valves shall be closed on all empty cylinders.

   (4)  Readily combustible material shall not be piled within 10 feet of cylinders in storage. A warning sign to keep open flames and fire away shall be conspicuously posted.

   The provisions of this §  13.82 amended June 10, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 1591. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (8307).

MOBILE LIVING AND OTHER MOBILE UNITS

§ 13.91. Location.

 (a)  Cylinders, control valves, and regulating equipment enclosed in a housing and comprising a complete system shall be mounted on the chassis of the vehicle as close to the hitch as practicable.

 (a)  Systems shall be of a vapor withdrawal type.

 (a)  Piping and equipment shall be installed, braced and supported so as to reduce to a minimum the possibility of strain or wear. Piping shall not be installed in proximity to sources of extreme heat.

 (a)  Cylinders shall be filled according to § §  13.11—13.29 (relating to general requirements) and at a properly equipped cylinder filling plant or tank truck which complies with all requirements of this subchapter. Such filling plant or tank truck may be located in a trailer camp provided that the entire filling operation, including the cylinder, is located not less than 50 feet from the nearest trailer or building and not less than 25 feet from any public street or highway. Such filling plant shall be enclosed by 6 foot high industrial type fence or otherwise protected from tampering or from physical damage. Access to the enclosed area shall be kept locked when unattended.

 (b)  The cylinder-filling operation shall only be performed by qualified personnel and only when adequate safe lighting is provided.

INSTALLATION

§ 13.101. Fuel engine generators for emergency lighting.

 (a)  Cylinders shall be installed above grade with an outlet at least 5 feet away from any building opening which is below the level of such outlet.

 (b)  A relief valve shall be installed on the low pressure side of the primary regulator adjusted to discharge into the atmosphere at a pressure less than the maximum allowable pressure for the engine regulator. Such discharge outlet shall be located not less than 5 feet horizontally from any opening into the building which is below such discharge.

 (c)  A solenoid operated valve shall be connected in the fuel line to the engine between the primary regulator and the engine regulator with the operating coil connected so that the valve will open automatically when the engine is in operation and be closed at all other times.

 (d)  The fuel line shall be of sufficient size to provide adequate fuel at satisfactory pressure to run the engine generator at rated connected load.

 (e)  An adequate fuel supply to operate the engine generator at rated load for 11/2 hours shall always be maintained. A gauge to indicate fuel level shall be provided.

 (f)  Cylinders or tanks shall be set on a firm foundation and in the case of school or other installations as deemed necessary by the Department shall be enclosed by a fence with locked gate to prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with the cylinders, tanks, regulators and other similar equipment.

 All installations shall comply with NFPA # 54 or NFPA # 58.

   The provisions of this §  13.102 adopted October 27, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 2907.

HEATERS

§ 13.111. Heaters in drive-in theaters.

 The placing of heaters, fueled by liquefied petroleum gas, on or in cars occupying space in drive-in theaters is prohibited. The owners or operators of such theaters shall be held responsible for compliance with the requirement of this section.