September 6, 2022

In Brief

TPGA hopes everyone had a happy and safe Labor Day. In this edition of the Tuesday Telegraph, TPGA has an interim update for you on the Texas Fire Safety Analysis requirement that went into effect on September 1, 2022.


Secondly, the association reports on a new fee that will be assessed when taking RRC LPG exams online.


The September issue of Texas Propane magazine is out, and in this edition of the Telegraph, TPGA covers all the hot topics included in this magazine issue, from PERC's adoption of VR training to $10,000 grants for trade schools to adopt propane plumbing and HVAC curriculum.


Additionally, last week, NPGA reported the good news that the 2023 edition of NFPA 58 has some favorable changes for the propane industry. Read more about it in the third story of the morning.


Lastly, TPGA highlights two charity golf tournaments that are happening in October 2022. Check out information on the Pros4Care Golf Tournament and the LPG Charity Fund Fall Golf Classic.

Don't forget to check out our Quick Links section for links to more information on the upcoming propane fire training, PSC calendars, Propane Living newsletter, and the Texas Appliance Rebate Program.

In this issue


  • In Brief
  • Fire Safety Analysis
  • Exam Fee Changes
  • Magazine Hot Topics
  • NFPA 58 Update
  • Golf Tournaments
  • Quick Links
Calendar

September 6, 2022

Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program Opens


September 8, 2022

Fall 2022 Propane Living Subscription Deadline


September 9, 2022

Texas Conference for Employers


September 9, 2022

TPGA magazine

ad & classified deadline


September 11-12, 2022

Fall NPGA TS &S Meeting


September 12, 2022

Propane Emergencies

Hotel Reservation Deadline


September 15, 2022

NPGA District 4 Meeting

(includes Texas)


September 26-27, 2022

Texas Propane Emergencies Fire Training

MORE DATES

Fire Safety Analysis

Requirement Update

When the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) adopted the 2017 NFPA 58 in 2020, RRC adopted the Fire Safety Analysis requirements found in Section 6.29.3.2 of NFPA 58 with a compliance date of September 1, 2022, which was clarified in the most recent RRC rulemaking this past summer.


While NFPA requires fire safety analysis for installations for 4,000 gallons and over, the RRC will only require a fire safety analysis for new and existing installations with an aggregate water capacity of 10,000 gallons or more.


What is a fire safety analysis? A fire safety analysis is an evaluation of the total product control system, such as the emergency shutoff and internal valves equipped for remote closure and automatic shutoff using thermal (fire) actuation, pull away protection where installed, and the optional requirements of Section 6.30. for underground and mounded containers over 10,000 gallons (if applicable).


The Railroad Commission has been in the process of updating the PERC Fire Safety Analysis forms to Texas standards to help propane retailers to comply.


Until RRC provides this template, TPGA believes there should not be any enforcement of this requirement.


As soon as RRC releases these documents, TPGA will provide them to our membership.


Please report any Fire Safety Analysis enforcement to TPGA.


Once available and completed, the fire safety analysis shall be submitted by the owner, operator, or their designee to the authority having jurisdiction, upon request, and local emergency responders. 

RRC Online Examination Fee

Changes Began September 1

As of September 1, 2022, individuals registering for online alternative fuels examinations being administered by RRC's testing / proctoring service must pay any fee charged by the service vendor, in addition to the examination fee, to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC).


This is a result of recent amendments to LP Gas Safety Rule §9.10, relating to Rules Examination, which incorporated the provisions of Senate Bill 1582 (87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session). Senate Bill 1582 amended Texas Natural Resources to allow required certification examination to be performed by a proctoring service.


If you have questions regarding alternate fuels examinations, contact the RRC at training-exams@rrc.texas.gov or 512-463-2682.

Hot Topics in This Month's

Texas Propane Magazine

Inside Look:

September 2022 Issue


In our Feature Story, TPGA announces the reopening of the PERC Technical School Grant. The grant gives $10,000 to trade and technical schools that agree to adopt propane plumbing and HVAC curriculum. The story discusses how Texas technical schools can apply and highlights past Texas recipients and how they are currently using the grant.


Read our second feature to learn all the exciting new projects and initiatives PERC approved at its last meeting, including how PERC will be incorporating virtual reality training into its training.


You will also find information on Driver Recruitment and a spread on the upcoming Propane Emergencies Training, and a page dedicated to all active rebates, incentives, and grants.


Check out our popular departments like our Traffic Huddle, a driver safety meeting series, Inside the Industry, & Propane with Purpose.

Shout out to our ADVERTISERS that made this issue of Texas Propane magazine possible: Alliance AutoGas, BLT Tanks, Enterprise Products, Ferrellgas, Fisk Tank Carrier Inc, Gas Equipment Company, Lock America, Lone Star Energy Group, Longhorn Propane, Lumbermen’s Insurance Agency, METSA, Marshall Young Insurance, Meeder Equipment Co, Propane Plus LLC, Propane Service Corporation, Quality Steel Corporation, Rural Computer Consultants, Tarantin Industries, Westmor Industries, and White River Distributors.

READ SEPTEMBER MAGAZINE

Propane Fairs Well in

Upcoming NFPA 58 2023 Edition

Last week, the development of the 2023 edition of NFPA 58 took a giant step towards completion with the passing of the committee ballot to approve the second revisions.


Every revision that was proposed by the NFPA Technical Committee on LP-Gas was ratified by ballot.


The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports that NPGA proposals fared extremely well during this revision cycle, and some of the new concepts will be introduced, including requirements that would allow the general public to refuel propane-powered vehicles; a new piping material called “reinforced thermoplastic piping” that can be used for piping liquid underground; and, new concepts that rely less on excess flow hardware and more on supervision and keeping internal valves closed when a bulk plant or industrial facility installation is not actively moving product. 

Upcoming Industry

Golf Tournaments

Annual Pros4Care

Golf Benefit


Monday, October 10,2022

Brookhaven Country Club, 

3333 Golfing Green Drive,

Farmers Branch, TX 75234


The event is co-hosted by Pros4Care & ZERO —

The End of Prostate Cancer, a leading national nonprofit created to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted.


Registration fee includes

golf, lunch and dinner.


All funds raised through this event will go towards funding life-saving research and direct patient support for prostate cancer

patients & families in need.


Register at

http://zerocancer.org/tee-off/pros4care

Annual LPG Charity Fund

Fall Golf Classic


Tuesday, October 18,2022

Tour 18 Golf Course 

3102 FM 1960 East 

Humble, TX 77338


All proceeds will benefit the LPG Charity Fund.


The LPG Charity Fund’s principal objective is to assist members of the

LPG & Gas Processing industry during a time of catastrophic medical

expenses and/or financial need such as temporary living expenditures or

funeral expenses.


Individual Golf Entry Fee (Includes golf fee, lunch & dinner)


Register at https://lpgfund.com

Quick Links

TEXAS PROPANE EMERGENCIES TRAINING

HOTEL BLOCK NEARLY 

SOLD OUT

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HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR 2023 CALENDARS? PSC HAS STICK ON & WALL CALENDARS GALORE

ORDER CALENDARS
SUBSCRIBE YOUR CUSTOMERS TO THE FALL EDITION OF PROPANE LIVING
THE DEADLINE IS SEPT 8TH
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PROPANE APPLIANCE REBATES FOR YOUR PROPANE CUSTOMERS

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