Propane Emergencies Program

Research has shown that static electricity generated at propane facilities can have serious consequences. Fortunately, the remediation of risk is manageable from an economical and human resources stand point.

In an effort to assist the industry to gain a better understanding of this issue, PERC has developed a booklet, Static Electricity in the Propane Industry, to inform propane industry professionals, facility managers, company safety officials, and other responsible employees of lessons learned and information gained from research on the ignition hazards of static electricity in the propane industry. The approach is a practical one, citing science and technology where necessary.

According to PERC’s Safety & Training Advisory Committee (STAC) Chairman, Mike Walters, AmeriGas Propane, Valley Forge, PA, “The objective of the booklet is to, equip readers with the knowledge and tools to evaluate their facility for static electrical hazards, implement remediation or mitigation actions; facilitate appropriate training/instruction for all applicable employees”.

This booklet provides a basic understanding of static electricity, its sources, common threats, and strategies that can/should be used to reduce the risk of unwanted ignition. The sources of static electricity are varied. It also identifies common static threats that may be present at propane handling facilities.

NEW: Got Cathodic Protection? New Program Now Available

5/28/2008 3:41 PM

To download the Cathodic Protection manual please click here.

With the demand for placing propane tanks underground, the industry’s need for information on how to safeguard those tanks from corrosion has increased. Fortunately, a new Cathodic Protection program is now available for all propane marketers.

This program contains training materials for propane technicians who install residential and small commercial underground ASME tanks and piping. It provides basic knowledge and requirements for the technician to properly and efficiently provide cathodic protection for underground steel ASME tanks and piping from corrosion. The program also includes a quiz with answer key and a skills evaluation form.

The Cathodic Protection program is also available through the Propane Resource Catalog (www.propanecatalog.com or 1-866-905-1075):

Cathodic Protection CD & DVD Kit (item #003715 -/$9.00 each)

Cathodic Protection Manual & DVD Kit (item #003710 /$14.00 each)

For more information, contact PERC’s Stuart Flatow at (202) 452-8975 or stuart.flatow@propanecouncil.org

Gas Check and CETP Webinar Power Point Presentation

9/25/2008 2:29 PM

Thank you to everyone who participated in the PERC Webinar. For your reference, please click here to download the entire presentation.

It is a large document, so please allow it a few moments to download.

Propane Emergencies Webinar Power Point Presentation

10/1/2008 9:18 AM

Thank you to everyone who participated in the PERC Propane Emergencies Webinar. For your reference, please click here to download the entire presentation.

It is a large document, so please allow it a few moments to download.

Propane Emergencies Program

The Propane Emergencies (PE) program has grown significantly since its inception in 1998, from a single textbook to a comprehensive training program adopted by 27 state firefighter training agencies and propane marketers. It continues to be the benchmark by which many other hazardous materials training programs are measured. The third edition textbook Propane Emergencies textbook is now available to order through the Propane Resource Catalog. You can also click here to download the third edition text.

"Our goal is that all state fire academies will adopt the Propane Emergencies Program”,according to PERC’s Propane Emergencies subcommittee chairman, Lyndon Rickards, Safety and Training Manager, Eastern Propane Gas, Inc. Rochester, NH.

This textbook describes how to safely respond to propane emergencies and covers standards, codes, and regulations; physical properties and characteristics of propane; non-bulk and bulk container design and construction features; bulk transportation design and construction features; bulk plants and bulk storage tanks; general emergency response procedures; tactical response guidelines for propane emergencies; product removal; and transfer and recovery operations.

Written by Michael S. Hildebrand and Gregory G. Noll, this 303-page full-color textbook is targeted to firefighters and members of Hazardous Materials Response Teams, propane marketers, propane industry product and container specialists, and private or emergency response contractors.

Here are a few examples of how states and emergency responders are working together:

The Missouri Propane Gas Association donates Propane Emergencies textbooks and trainer facilitator guides to support the University of Missouri's Fire and Rescue Training Institute's "Handling LP Gas Emergencies" course, which has trained more than 2,500 firefighters since 2002.
The Alabama Propane Gas Association donated a new Propane Emergencies Training Unit to train the Alabama Fire College and departments around the state to handle propane fires. More than 60 instructors attended a six-hour train-the-trainer course.
Pennsylvania's State Fire Academy is using the Propane Emergencies materials in four propane response programs, which are regularly offered and well attended.
The Virginia Propane Gas Association provided textbooks, facilitator's guides, and a bobtail propane delivery truck to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for use in training emergency personnel.

Special Notice: As the third edition was going to press, new information concerning the fire safety of composite propane cylinders was developed by the authors. This supplements material found on pages 61-62 of the textbook. Order the Propane Emergencies Third Edition Textbook (PRC007222) through the Propane Industry Resource Catalog at (866) 905-1075 or www.propanecatalog.com.

Composite Propane Cylinders

Facilitator's Guide

Instructor's Workshop

Marketer Outreach Toolkit

Scenarios