NFPA 58: 2017 Edition and

Beyond!
Eric Nette, P.E.
NFPA
 NFPA Terms
• Step 1: First Draft
– Public Input (PI)
– First Revision (FR)
• Step 2: Second Draft
– Public Comment (PC)
– Second Revision (SR)
• Step 3: Technical Session
– Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM)

2
 Ground Snow Load
• Incidents involving Snow
– Problem is two fold
• Snow can damage
• Gas follows path of least resistance
– Most Common Incident
• Snow falls off Roof onto Equip
• Overhangs don’t prevent
– Solution
• ASCE Snow Load Calculations
• Previously snow depth (not density)
 Vehicular Barrier Protection (VBP)
• Requirements in NFPA 58 and IFC
– Intended for only accidental damage
– IFC requires Bollards in 312.2
• For systems
• not cabinets
– NFPA 58 requires VBP
• Performance based options
• For systems
• Cabinets (2014 edition not 2017)
Vehicular Barrier Protection (VBP)
• Bollards (IFC and NFPA)
– Concrete filled, 4 in. diameter (Sch-40), 6 ft. steel pipe
– 3 ft. embedded in 15 in. diameter concrete footing
– Favorable/unfavorable soil conditions not specified
• NFPA Bollards
– Same Bollards as IFC or
– Performance requirements
• Minimum 3 ft. in height
• 6,000 lbf (53,375 N) applied 3 ft. in height
– 12,000 lbf (53,375 N) applied 3 ft. in height
 VBP Study
• Southwest Research Institute testing
– Propane Education Research Council (PERC)
– Bollards
• Prescribed bollards
• One with Concrete pad
• One without Concrete pad
– Cabinets
• One manufacturer
• Steel/Aluminum cabinet
• 3 conditions
– Braced against concrete
– Overfilled with cylinders
– Bolted
 VBP Study
• Testing of mock vehicles
– SUV and Passenger 5-10 mph
– 4,000 lbs. 18 in. bumper height
– 6,000 lbs. 26 in. bumper height

• Static Loading also tested

– Determine total performance of the bollards
• Pulled at top
• Unrestrained resisted 300 lbf
• Restrained resisted 11,000+ lbf
 VBP Study Findings
• Bollards
– Prevented vehicle movement at 5 mph
– Did not prevent vehicle movement at 10 mph
• Cabinets
– Prevented cylinder failures
• Cylinders pressurized (no failures)
• Also tested at higher pressures
 Porta-Pac’s and Skid Tanks
• Problem
– Autogas- “Chicken before the Egg”
– Oil Platform Sites
– Lack of delineating with portable containers
• Solution
– Construction req. added
• Skid Tanks
• Porta-Pacs
– Location req. added
– Portable Containers
– Portable Storage Containers
 Disconnected Containers
• Problem
– Containers placed haphazardly
• Openings not plugged
• Placed randomly despite hazard
• PRV’s not in Vapor Space
• Solution
– Containers placed in bulk plants
– Containers placed in approved areas
– Containers placed properly
• Separated as other containers
 Hot Air Balloons
• Problem
– Containers need to be filled
• Specialized
– Cool temperatures at altitudes
– Large releases of Propane (Excess-Flow valves)
– Filling Issues
• Removing wrappings
• Solution
– Must meet FAA Air Worthiness Directives (AWD)
• 14 CFR
• Exceptions for Excess-flow Valve
• New Filling Requirements
– Allowing Pilot/crew to fill
– Doesn’t need to be removed from wrappings
– Flight Log
 Containers <2 lbs.
• Problem
– Emerging market of refillable containers <2 lbs.
– Retrofitting of disposable containers to be refilled
• Consumer driven
• Youtube instructions
– Some disposables have remaining propane
• Solution
– New construction req.
– New appurtenance req.
 Food Trucks
• Incidents
– Explosion in Philadelphia
• Caught on Camera
• Not the first, but the most visible
• Corroded 25 lbs. DOT cylinder
– Should not have been filled
– Various fires
• Multiple Hazards
– Electrical
– Gas
– Cooking (Grease, oils, etc.)
 Food Trucks
• Issues
– www.nfpa.org/foodtrucksafety
– Gaps in Code
• 3 different codes for 3 different hazards/applications
– Different experts for different hazards
• Adoption issues
– Chicago (since 2012)
» Inspected by Health
» Inspected by Fire
» Fire Classes
– Indiana
» Fire is not allowed to inspect
 Questions

Eric Nette, P.E.

NFPA
enette@nfpa.org