Propane Safety Checks

Pressure Testing and System Checks
Accidents can result from the failure to perform complete system pressure tests from the propane tank to the system pilot orfices. Farmers Cooperative Association must verify the integrity of the customer's propane gas system with a pressure test and leak check as defined by NPGA Technical Assistance Bulletin T403, and document the results. The following situations call for a system check:

1. New System or New Customer
2. Occupancy Change
3. System Interruption (making repairs or modifications, changing regulators, turning off the gas, ect.) This includes any "Out of Gas" situations.
4. Suspected Leak

The following section from the National Fuel Gas Code describes the procedures to be followed by any qualified person servicing a system for gas utilization:

4.2     System and Equipment Leakage Test

4.2.1  Before Turning Gas On. Before gas is introduced into ta system of new gas piping, or back into an existing
            system after being shut off, the entire system shall be inspected to determine that there are no open
            fittings or ends and that all manual valves on equipment are closed and all unused outlets are closed
            and plugged or capped.
4.2.2   Test for Leakage. Immediately after turning on the gas, the piping system shall be tested to ascertain that
            no gas is escaping. If leakage is indicated, the gas supply shall be shut off until necessary repairs
            have been made.
4.2.3   Placing Equipment in Operation. Gas utilization equipment shall be permitted to be placed in operation
            after the piping system has been tested and determined to be free of leakage and purged in accordance
            with 4.3.2.