propane autogas - ROUSH CleanTech

A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SAFETY
• Among alternative fuels, propane autogas
propane.com/on-road-fleets
Propane autogas is a safe fuel when
has the narrowest flammability range.
This PERC-sponsored website provides
properly stored, dispensed, and used. This
The flammability range is comparable to
information on several diff erent types
is due to several factors: propane autogas’
that of gasoline and diesel fuel.
of propane-autogas- powered vehicles
natural properties; stringent codes and
• Propane autogas engine systems are
(and other types of propane equipment),
fi tted with safety devices and shutoff
propane autogas refueling, and
education, training, and safety-awareness
valves that function automatically if the
incentive programs.
programs. Vehicles powered by propane
fuel line ruptures.
regulations; and the industry’s extensive
autogas have a long history of performing
safely under all operating conditions. In
VALUABLE RESOURCES TO HELP
fact, propane autogas off ers several safety
UNDERSTAND PROPANE AUTOGAS
advantages compared with other fuels:
VEHICLES AND FACILITIES
• Propane autogas in its natural state is
Several online resources are available that
non-toxic with no defining natural odor. An
odorant is added to aid in leak detection.
• Propane autogas requires a much higher
provide users with information such as
code requirements for propane autogas
vehicle facilities, characteristics of propane
temperature to ignite. For example,
autogas, and case studies of companies
gasoline and diesel fuel will catch fire
converting their fleets to run efficiently on
at temperatures as low as 495 degrees
propane autogas.
PROPANE AUTOGAS
REPAIR & MAINTENANCE
FACILITY REQUIREMENTS
Fahrenheit, whereas propane autogas
requires a temperature of at least 920
nfpa.org
degrees Fahrenheit to ignite.
The NFPA website provides information on
• Propane autogas is classified by the
codes and standards related to motor fuel
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
repair garages and maintenance facilities.
as a non-contaminant of air, land, and
You can view, download, or acquire printed
water resources.
copies of all NFPA codes including NFPA 58
and NFPA 30A from this site.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about propane autogas and the Propane Education & Research Council,
visit propane.com/on-road-fleets.
Propane Education & Research Council / 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1075 / Washington, DC 20036
P 202-452-8975 / F 202-452-9054 / propanecouncil.org
The Propane Education & Research Council
was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the
passage of Public Law 104-284, the Propane
Education and Research Act (PERA), signed
into law on October 11, 1996. The mission of
the Propane Education & Research Council is
to promote the safe, efficient use of odorized
propane gas as a preferred energy source.
© 2015 by the Propane Education & Research Council 9001-BR-13
SOURCES OF IGNITION REQUIREMENTS
MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING GARAGES
There are no specific requirements beyond
OR MAINTENANCE FACILITIES
existing standards for traditional liquid fuel
A review of compliance to existing codes
repair garages and maintenance facilities.
(for liquid fuels such as gasoline or diesel)
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
to allow the servicing or repair of propane
may be necessary before modifications
There are no specific requirements beyond
autogas-powered vehicles can begin.
existing standards for traditional liquid fuel
Since the existing facility may have been
repair garages and maintenance facilities.
built under older editions of the codes, any
new propane autogas modifications may
PARKING, SERVICING, AND REPAIR OF
require bringing the facility up to code for
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
traditional liquid fuels as well.
There are no specific structural requirements
INTRODUCTION
For purposes of this guide, only specific propane autogas requirements
beyond those required for gasoline and diesel vehicle repair and
maintenance facilities will be discussed in detail. This guide will explain in
easy-to-understand terms the general design, safety, and code guidelines
for constructing or modifying repair and maintenance garages for propaneautogas-powered vehicles including passenger cars, vans, buses, and trucks.
GAS DETECTION REQUIREMENTS
Several national codes such as the National
codes are adopted voluntarily by states.
Propane gas detection equipment is
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code
Always contact the local Authority Having
not required for repair garages and
for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and
Jurisdiction (AHJ) for applicable codes
maintenance facilities that service propane
Repair Garages, International Building Code
regarding the building or modifying
autogas vehicles.
(IBC), and National Electric Code (NEC)
of a propane autogas vehicle repair or
help outline the detailed requirements
maintenance facility. In some cases, the AHJ
QUESTIONS TO ANSWER BEFORE
for building or modifying a vehicle repair
may have other requirements in addition to
BUILDING OR MODIFYING A REPAIR
or maintenance facility. These codes, for
those cited in national codes. The AHJ is the
GARAGE OR MAINTENANCE FACILITY
the most part, give the requirements for
organization, office, or individual responsible
• Does the existing garage or facility meet
traditional liquid fuel facilities that service
for enforcing the requirements of the code.
gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles, but do
current code requirements for traditional
liquid fuels (such as gasoline or diesel)?
not directly address alternative fuels such
VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS
as propane autogas.
Ventilation requirements for propane
Facilities and Repair Garages.
Each type of garage has a specific set
the propane autogas vehicle when parked,
of code requirements.
serviced, or repaired inside buildings:
• Major Repair Garage. A major repair
• The fuel system must be leak-free.
garage is defined as a building or
same requirements as those for gasoline-
• The fuel tank or container must not
portions of a building where major
and diesel-fueled vehicle major repair
be filled beyond the limits specified
repairs, such as engine overhauls,
areas. There are no special requirements
for the equipment.
painting, body and fender work, and
for propane autogas-powered vehicle
repairs that require draining of the motor
repair areas.
autogas are the same as those for gasoline
• Will the facility provide minor repairs,
major repairs, or both?
• If the facility provides both minor and
and diesel. This includes ventilation for
major repairs, will the major repair area
all workspaces including floor areas, pits,
be separated from the minor repair area?
below-grade areas, and subfloors. There is
no need for modifications to the building or
building design.
• Will the facility include an indoor or
outdoor propane autogas fueling station?
vehicle fuel tank, are performed.
• Minor Repair Garage. A minor repair
INDOOR VEHICLE FUEL
garage is defined as a building or portions
DISPENSING STATIONS
of a building used for lubrication,
Indoor refueling of propane vehicles is
sources of heat or open flames (or similar
inspection, and minor automotive
permitted where the building is constructed
sources of ignition), or near inadequately
maintenance work, such as engine tune-
in accordance with the requirements of
ventilated pits.
ups, replacement of parts, fluid changes
NFPA 30A and NFPA 58, and any other codes
(oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, brake
that are adopted by the jurisdiction where
fluid, air conditioning refrigerants, etc.),
the building is located.
• The vehicle should not be parked near
It is important to note that all national
• NFPA 30A Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing
diff erent categories for code purposes.
several code requirements that apply to
required to operate.
GENERAL CODE REQUIREMENT OVERVIEW
• NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code.
Repair garages are placed into two
maintenance facilities. However, there are
being repaired, except when the engine is
maintenance garage.
the requirements for propane autogas
traditional liquid fuel repair garages and
be closed when the vehicle or engine is
understand the basic requirements of a propane-autogas-powered vehicle repair or
vehicle facilities:
TYPES OF REPAIR GARAGES
• The tank or container shut-off valve must
This guide is intended to help fleet managers, operators, and private garage owners
There are two national codes that cover
beyond the existing standards for
brake system repairs, tire rotation, and
similar routine maintenance work.
PROPANE AUTOGAS STORAGE
Above-ground tanks storing propane
REPAIR GARAGE
autogas must be separated by at least 15
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
feet from devices that dispense liquid or
If the facility is planning to have a major
gaseous motor vehicle fuels. If the facility
repair area for propane autogas vehicles, a
has aboveground compressed natural gas
separate building or area within the facility
(CNG) or liquid natural gas (LNG) tanks, the
may be used. Minor repair areas do not need
propane autogas tank must be separated
to be separated from other activities in the
by at least 20 feet.
facility. If part of the facility is being used
for major repair activities, there are certain
In addition, the tanks must have physical
requirements that need to be followed to
and security protection in accordance with
separate the area from minor repair and
the codes. Consult NFPA 30A and NFPA 58
other servicing activities. They are the
for exact conditions and requirements.