Directive: Truck to truck transfer of propane

Directive

Directive: Truck to truck transfer of propane

January 6, 2011

Directive
Gas

Reference Number:

D-G5 101230 1

Revision Number:

Revision 1



This Directive is being issued by a provincial safety manager pursuant to section 30 of the Safety Standards Act.

General details

Clause 8.4.3 of the CSA B149.2 allows the transfer of propane from a tank truck or cargo liner to another tank truck or cargo liner in an emergency and for purposes other than an emergency only when approved by BC Safety Authority (BCSA). The purpose of this Directive is to address the application of this code clause by detailing BCSA’s approval process for truck to truck transfers for other than emergency purposes.

Specific details

Individuals wishing to transfer propane from one tank truck to another for other than emergency purposes shall develop an operating procedure for the transfer and have the operating procedure accepted by the provincial safety manager – gas. The transfer of propane from one tank truck to another for other than emergency purposes shall only be carried out when the individual making the transfer follows an operating procedure that has been accepted by the safety manager. Transfers of propane from one tank truck to another for other than emergency purposes shall only be carried out at a filling plant.

The operating procedures shall provide for the planning, control and accomplishment of the transfer. At a minimum it shall include processes to ensure that:

• filling plants must meet the operating requirements described in section 28 of the Gas Safety  Regulation (GSR) and comply with the CSA B149.2.

• Tank trucks or cargo liners comply with all CSA B149.2 requirements.

• Tank truck to tank truck transfer is performed only by personnel that are

  • trained in the Operating Procedure,
  • qualified as required by section 5.2.1of the CSA B149.2 and
  • authorized in accordance with section 4(1) (d) of the GSR. 

• The filling plant complies with all local government requirements.

• Required clearances and related clauses as stated in the CSA B149.2 are adhered to during the transfer process.

• The aggregate amount of propane contained in any offloading tank truck and the approved stationary tank(s) shall not exceed the maximum storage capacity of the stationary tank(s).

A designated filling plant (bulk plant) where the propane is transferred from one tank truck to another tank truck, may involve Municipalities, local fire departments, Transport Canada, Environment Canada and other ministries of both federal and provincial governments which could have approval/permit requirements for other aspects of transfer operations such as the business, overall site and non-dispensing equipment. BCSA approval does not constitute approval by any other regulatory body or agency. The applicant for the operating procedure is responsible for identifying and complying with any applicable requirements and agencies that administer those requirements.

Definitions:

Tank truck - a truck chassis and tank assembly as a complete unit for the bulk delivery of propane.

Cargo liner – a vehicle that is used to transfer propane in which the tank constitutes the main structural member and that is towed by a separate motor vehicle.

Note: For the purposes of this Directive, the terms “Tank Truck” and “Cargo Liner” are interchangeable.

Emergency - means a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion such as a general power failure, plant mechanical failure, incident, or vehicle mechanical failure requiring immediate action to protect or reduce the hazard to public safety

Filling plant (bulk plant) - a facility, the primary purpose of which is the distribution of propane.

Such plants have bulk storage and usually have container filling and vehicle transfer facilities on the premises. Bulk plants are considered part of this category.

 

 

Brad Wyatt
Provincial Safety Manager, Gas 

 

 

References:
Safety Standards Act
Gas Safety Regulation
CSA B149.2 - Propane storage and handling code

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