Standards Division

SECTION .0700 - STANDARDS FOR STORAGE, HANDLING AND INSTALLATION OF LP GAS

02 NCAC 38 .0701 ADOPTION BY REFERENCE
The following are incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments, as standards for storage, handling and installation of liquefied petroleum gas:

  (1) National Fire Protection Association, Pamphlet No. 58, "Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code," with the following additions and exceptions:
    (a) All cut-off valves and regulating equipment exposed to rain, sleet, or snow shall be protected against such elements either by design or by a hood;
    (b) "Firm Foundation" as used in Pamphlet 58 means that the foundation material has a level top surface, rests on solid ground, is constructed of a masonry material or wood treated to prevent decay by moisture rot and will not settle, careen or deteriorate;
    (c) "Concrete pads" as used in section 6.6.3.1(G) (2011 Edition) means a foundation of solid concrete blocks, placed concrete pad, or poured concrete foundation sufficient to support the container or container-pump assembly mounted on a common base without breaking or settling that is detrimental to the integrity or safe operation of the installation.
(d) No person shall use liquefied petroleum gas as a source of pressure in lieu of compressed air in spray guns or other pressure operated equipment;
    (e) Piping, tubing or regulators shall be considered well supported when they are rigidly fastened in their intended position;
    (f) At bulk storage installations, the bulkhead and the plant piping on the hose side of the bulkhead shall be designed and constructed so that an application of force from the hose side will not result in damage to the plant piping on the tank side of the bulkhead. In addition, the bulkhead shall incorporate a mechanical means to automatically close emergency valves in the event of a pull away;
    (g) As an alternative to the requirement for a fire safety analysis the owner, or his designee, of an LP-gas facility which utilizes individual storage containers in excess of 4,000 gallons water capacity, storage containers interconnected through the liquid withdrawal outlets of the containers with an aggregate water capacity in excess of 4,000 gallons, or storage containers interconnected through the vapor withdrawal outlets of the containers with an aggregate capacity in excess of 6,000 gallons, shall, for new installations of containers of such capacity or for additions to an existing LP-gas facility which result in containers of such capacity, meet with fire officials for the jurisdiction in which the facility is located in order to:
      (i) review potential exposure to fire hazards to or from real property which is adjacent to such facility;
      (ii) identify emergency access routes to such facility; and
      (iii) review the equipment and emergency shut-down procedures for the facility.
The owner of such facility or his designee shall document in writing the time, date and place of such meeting(s), the participants in the meeting, and the discussions at the meeting in order to provide a written record. This documentation shall be made available to the Department not later than 60 days after installation of the new or additional containers. Compliance with the availability requirement shall be met by having a copy of the documentation kept on site or at the owner's office and immediately available for review by NCDA&CS inspection personnel. This meeting, review, and documentation shall be repeated when NCDA&CS determines that the plant design has changed or that potential exposures have significantly changed, so as to increase the likelihood of injury.
    (h) An LP-Gas facility which utilizes storage containers that are interconnected through the vapor withdrawal outlets of the containers only with an aggregate water capacity in excess of 4,000 gallons, but not in excess of 6,000 gallons, shall be exempt from the requirements of a fire safety analysis; and
    (i) A fire safety analysis as described in NFPA 58 may be prepared by the owner of an LP-Gas facility, or by an employee of such owner in the course of the employee's employment, and the Department shall not require that it be prepared, approved or sealed by a professional engineer. Note: This is in keeping with a formal interpretation (F.I. No.: 58-01-2) by the technical committee for Liquefied Petroleum Gases issued by the National Fire Protection Association on November 7, 2001, with an effective date of November 27, 2001. However, the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors regulates the practice of engineering, and has taken the position that the preparation of a fire safety analysis constitutes the practice of engineering.

(2) National Fire Protection Association, Pamphlet No. 54, "National Fuel Gas Code," with the addition that underground service piping shall rise above ground immediately before entering a building.

(3) National Fire Protection Association, Pamphlet No. 30A, “Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages,” Chapter 12 (in 2008 Edition) as it applies to LP-Gas dispensers for motor vehicle fuel along with dispensers for other motor vehicle fuels.

Copies of NFPA 54, NFPA 58 and NFPA 30A are available for inspection in the Office of the Director of the Standards Division. They may be obtained at a cost of forty-eight dollars and fifty cents ($48.50) each for NFPA 54 and NFPA 58 and for thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($37.50) for NFPA 30A (February 2011 prices), plus shipping, by contacting National Fire Protection Association, Inc., 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269, by calling them at 617-770-3000 or 800-344-3555, or by accessing them on the Internet at www.nfpacatalog.org.
History Note: Authority G.S. 119-55; 150B-21.6; Eff. May 1, 1983; Amended Eff. November 1, 2011; April 1, 2009; September 1, 2002; August 1, 2002; January 1, 1994; June 1, 1993; December 1, 1988; December 1, 1987.

02 NCAC 38 .0702 METERS ON TANK TRUCKS
All tank trucks delivering through liquid meters into storage tanks or containers or cylinders shall be equipped with a device which will print the quantity delivered on a ticket, a copy of which will be given to the consumer.
History Note: Authority G.S. 119-55; Eff. May 1, 1983.

02 NCAC 38 .0703 LP GAS INSPECTION REPORT
Upon inspection pursuant to G.S. 119-57, a notice of violations shall be given to the violator. The notice shall include but is not limited to repairs necessary to eliminate the violation(s) and a date by which repairs shall be made by the violator. An extension of time for repair is at the discretion of the Director of the Standards Division, upon written request.
History Note: Authority G.S. 119-55; Eff. May 1, 1983; Amended Eff. June 1, 1984.

02 NCAC 38 .0704 APPROVED THIRD PARTY TESTING LABORATORIES
In accordance with G.S. 119-58(a)(1), third party testing laboratories accredited by the North Carolina Building Code Council are accepted for approving gas appliances that are designed or built for domestic use.
History Note: Authority G.S. 119-58; Eff. July 1, 1985; Amended Eff. December 1, 1988.

02 NCAC 38 .0705 NOTIFICATION OF FORMER SUPPLIER BEFORE DISCONNECTING
(a) This rule contains additional standards relating to the requirements for disconnection of service contained in G.S. 119-58(b).
(b) To "notify the former supplier before disconnecting the former service and connecting the new service," as required by G.S. 119-58(b), means that the new supplier shall provide the former supplier with written notice containing the new supplier's name, address and telephone number, the consumer's name and address, and stating the date and time after which service is to be disconnected. The notice may be sent by mail, overnight mail, facsimile, or by hand-delivery, so long as it is received prior to the disconnection of the former service.

Last updated March 13, 2012