General : NS Labour and Advanced Education, Fuel Safety

Propane Bulletin 99-01

Issued: March 19, 1999

As we approach the new millennium, we are once again reminded of the changes which our industry has encountered in the past years. We also look forward to many changes which are ongoing in this office as well as the industry in general.

As some of you may already know, the Department of Education now have a Gas Fitter trade regulation which has been passed through the legislature. This regulation was developed by industry and is a giant step toward a "red seal" interprovincial designation for our trade. A copy of this regulation is available from the Department of Education. As these trade regulations are enforced by our proposed new Fuel Safety regulations, we must await the enactment of these regulations before we can advise you further on the upgrade which will be required for your present Class A or G LP Gas Certificate.

The first class of Gas Technicians has recently started their schooling at the I W Akerley campus of the Nova Scotia Community College here in Dartmouth. Their teacher, Robert Redmond, is enthusiastic about the quality of the teaching materials, the lab and, most of all, the students which have enrolled in this course. We have been informed that these and many associated courses will be available as night-school, distance education and virtual campus courses in the near future.

Attached to this Bulletin is an updated memo regarding application of NFPA Standard #96 to small and temporary/mobile kitchens, as well as a number of certification bulletins. We hope this clears up some questions which were expressed regarding our last memo on this subject and , once again, thank you for your input on various issues.

The following are a number of items for your attention;

  • Cheater" hoses used on out-of-gas calls: These hoses are used to connect a 100 pound cylinder to a permanent installation through the permanent cylinder´s ACME filler valve fitting. It was our understanding that the use of these hoses was banned over 10 years ago, yet we recently found 4 of these hoses on two service vehicles at one branch.

    PLEASE NOTE: these hoses are not to be used in any instance and any that you have at your branch should be destroyed immediately.

  • Cylinders under exit stairways / fire escapes: The National Fire Code of Canada, in Clause 3.1.2.4, states that propane cylinders shall not be stored (installed);
    • in any exit or corridor providing access to an exit
    • under any fire escape, outside exit stair, passage or ramp
  • Bulk truck drivers: Code Clause 8.2.2 clearly states that the driver delivering propane must remain at the container being filled. The practice of getting back into the truck cab to do paperwork while a tank fills, must stop.
  • Cylinder / tank purging at plants: We are receiving an increasing number of complaints regarding purging activities at bulk plants. Although the Code does not mandate a purge burner, we must strongly recommend that product only be released through an approved purge burner.
  • QCC cylinder valve adapters: We have received complaints that some dealers are using a QCC adapter in a regular cylinder valve to satisfy the requirements of Code Clause 9.1.12.

    Please note that these adapters are not approved for use in this province.

  • PGAC 100-1 Instructors: Once again, we would remind you that only PGAC certified instructors may teach the 100-1 propane dispenser operators course. Please ensure that your certification is up to date as this will be even more important under the proposed new regulations.
  • Gravity vented appliances in kitchens: We are still encountering problems where a gravity vented appliance (water heater, pizza oven, etc.) is installed in a room, or adjacent to a room, containing a kitchen exhaust canopy. The exhaust canopy easily overcomes the gravity vent and the result is that the products of combustion are pulled into the kitchen. It does not matter which unit was "already there". If there is a powered exhaust canopy, all appliances must be exhausted under it.
  • Rooftop installations:
    • Appliances on sloped roofs-once again, we remind you that it is your responsibility, as an installer, to ensure that there is safe access to these units and a work platform at the unit (NOTE: OH&S regulations require an engineered platform capable of holding 4 times the expected load)
    • Rooftop piping-please remember that long piping runs requiring an expansion loop, also require the piping to be securely clamped so that this loop can work properly. This is impossible with the wooden sleeper supports presently used on most piping.
  • Cylinder delivery vehicles: Please review Code Clauses 9.6.1 through 9.6.7 regarding these vehicles. It is your responsibility, as a bulk plant operator, to ensure that all delivery vehicles meet these requirements before cylinders are put on them.

    It has been reported that some of you are using old step vans as cylinder delivery vehicles. This practice must stop as the open nature of the vehicle would involve the driver in the event of a leak.

  • Changeover responsibility: In the event of a changeover from one supplier to another, the technician doing the change is responsible for the safe placement of the removed competition´s cylinder or tank. This would include the plugging of the service valve.
In the event that the removed cylinder/tank is to be returned to the competition, the technician responsible for the changeover is also responsible for the removed tank until it arrives at the bulk plant.

We trust that these items are timely and easy to understand. If there are any questions or concerns over these issues, or if you wish something to be addressed in a future memo, please contact me at our Halifax offices. The toll free number here is 1-800-559-3473.

Sincerely

Dale C. Stewart
Chief Gas Inspector