Bonita Springs Fire Propane Guidelines PDF

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: # 1027.07.00 Propane Storage Tank & Supply Line Adopted: Effective Date: October 23, 2009 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 3 Due for Revision Date: November 2026...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: # 1027.07.00 Propane Storage Tank & Supply Line Adopted: Effective Date: October 23, 2009 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 3 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 Table of Contents 1027.07.01 Purpose 1027.07.02 Potential Hazards 1027.07.03 Scene Arrival 1027.07.04 Propane Overfill Incidents Page 1 of 6 1027.07.01 Purpose The primary purpose of this protocol is to provide for the safety of our personnel. Additionally, this protocol is to give guidelines to aid in mitigating incidents involving LPG. These guidelines are specific to LPG and are not intended for mitigation of other hazardous materials. These guidelines are intended to be used in conjunction with other department protocols to formulate a plan of action to mitigate incidents involving propane. 1027.07.02 Potential Hazards Caution - under fire conditions, containers may explode. Caution - flash back along vapor trails may occur. Caution - vapors may explode if ignited in an enclosed area. Caution - vapors are heavier than air and will collect in low lying areas, ditches, storm drains, etc. Caution - if vapors are inhaled, they may cause dizziness, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness and death. Caution - a vapor cloud may or may not be visible depending upon atmospheric conditions. Caution - DO NOT WEAR, CELL PHONES OR RADIOS WHEN IN THE HOT ZONE Primary Tactical Objective The primary objectives when dealing with flammable gases are to evacuate civilians, isolate sources of ignition, determine the source of the gas leak, and control the leak. It may be required to ventilate if release has occurred inside a structure or if gas has infiltrated nearby structures. 1027.07.03 Scene Arrival 1. The first member/unit on scene shall do a scene size-up and establish command based upon the department IMS Protocol. 2. Determine the level of the incident per the General HazMat Protocol either 1, 2, or 3. 3. Request additional resources if appropriate. 4. Establish staging area for additional resources (per Staging Protocol). 5. Establish accountability (per departmental Accountability Protocol). 6. Secure the area and control entry. 7. Isolate sources of ignition. 8. Establish hot, warm, and cold zones (refer to North American Emergency Response Guide #115). A. Vapor discharge (supply line) open air no exposure 1. Initiate evacuation of civilians if necessary – request LCSO for assistance. 2. Re-route traffic (LCSO). Page 2 of 6 3. Shut down the source if possible. 4. Contact LPG Distributors for technical assistance: a) AmeriGas (239) 278-3111 b) BalGas (239) 334-2849 c) Thompson (239) 992-7942 B. Vapor Discharge (supply line) in confined area or with exposures, (i.e. between two structures) In addition to above steps, include the following two steps: 1. Disperse vapors by unmanned devise if possible (fog stream). 2. Try to locate the supply if possible and shut down the source. C. Vapor Fires (Supply Lines) Follow vapor discharge protocol and in addition: 1. Do not extinguish the fire unless leak can be stopped or the supply shut down. 2. Protect exposures if necessary. D. Smell of gas in structure Primary Tactical Objectives: 1. The primary Tactical objectives are to isolate sources of ignition inside the structure, ventilate the interior space, determine the source of the gas leak, and control the leak. 2. All personnel operating in the vicinity of the structure will be in full protective clothing and SCBA. 3. Ensure that all occupants of the building have been evacuated and are accounted for. At the discretion of the incident commander, evacuate the area surrounding the building, or neighboring structures. 4. Isolate sources of ignition; ensure that any equipment, electric or fuel powered, operating near the building are turned off or moved to a safe distance from the building. 5. Secure the building and isolate the leak. In teams of two, conduct a quick walk around of the building to determine if propane or natural gas supplies the structure. If possible, shut down the gas supply at the source. 6. Positive pressure (preferably with electric fans) ventilation should be established and maintained on the upwind side of the structure prior to entry. 7. After a reasonable period of time, a two-person team in full PPE should gain access to the building and use a combustible gas indicator (CGI) to determine the level of flammable vapors inside the structure. If CGI readings exceed 10% of the lower limit, the entry team should withdraw and the structure should continue to be vented. When CGI indicates levels lower than 10% of the lower limit, the entry team can search the premises for victims and the source of the leak. Page 3 of 6 E. Portable Propane Cylinder If the source of the gas is determined to be a portable propane cylinder, this should be removed from the structure and rendered safe by one of the following procedures: 1. Bleed the container down in an open area, if necessary; use a fog stream to disperse the vapors. 2. Transfer propane from the damaged or overfilled container to another container (done by a propane company technician). 3. Flaring off the container (done by a propane company technician). When Polyethylene Pipe is used: This material is commonly used as underground piping to convey LP Gas and Natural Gas. The maximum allowable pressure in propane service is 30 psig and in case of a line cut, the material can be kinked by hand in sizes up to 2 inches. The hazard that needs to be realized is that the material can generate static electricity when the line is cut and the gas is blowing from the line. This static electricity can discharge when the line is touched in an attempt to stop the leak and cause ignition of the escaping gas. To alleviate this problem, wet the area with a hose stream and add a detergent as a wetting agent to the pipe prior to contact. Bend the pipe over and secure with tape for a temporary repair. Both ends of the pipe may need to be secured as the system may be looped and fed from each end. 1027.07.04 Propane Overfill Incidents (Pressure Relief Valve Venting) Primary Tactical Objective The primary objectives are to isolate sources of ignition, determine the source of the gas leak, and control the leak. It may be required to ventilate if release has occurred inside a structure. A. SCENE ARRIVAL: 1. The first member/unit on scene shall do a scene size-up and establish command based upon the department IMS Protocol. 2. Determine the level of the incident per the General HazMat Protocol either 1, 2, or 3. 3. Request additional resources if appropriate. 4. Establish staging area for additional resources (per Staging Protocol). 5. Establish accountability (per departmental Accountability Protocol). 6. Secure the area and control entry. 7. Isolate sources of ignition. 8. Establish hot, warm, and cold zones (refer to North American Emergency Response Guide #115). Page 4 of 6 B. Relief Valve Discharge with or without fire: 1. Evacuate civilians from surrounding area. 2. Shut off ignition sources in surrounding area. 3. Stop discharge if possible. 4. Stay upwind and use water spray to disperse the vapor (with unmanned device if necessary). 5. Cooling can sometimes be accomplished by the use of water spray on the container. Once the container is exposed to cooler ambient temperature, the internal pressure will drop and the pressure relief valve should close. 6. Icing can sometimes occur around the valve and can prevent it from closing. 7. A water stream directed on the valve can sometimes melt the ice or totally freeze over the valve. 8. Stop flow of gas if possible. 9. Cool all exposed containers with adequate volume of water (unmanned device). 10. If relief valve continues to vent or accelerates while water is being applied, withdraw all personnel in the area. Caution - containers may explode under fire conditions. C. Options for Rendering the Overfilled Container Safe 1. Bleed the container down in an open area under the protection of a hose line. 2. Transfer propane from the overfilled cylinder to another container (done by a propane company technician). 3. Flaring off the container (done by a propane company technician). Page 5 of 6 PROPANE Liquefied compressed gas –Colorless FLAMMABLE Containers may explode in fire Flashback along vapor trail may occur Vapor may explode if ignited in an enclosed area CHEMICAL REACTIVITY Reactivity with Water: No reaction Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction Stability during transport: Stable Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent Polymerization: Not pertinent Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent VAPOR Not irritating to eyes, nose or throat If inhaled, will cause dizziness, difficult breathing or loss of consciousness SHIPPING INFORMATION Storage Temperature: Ambient Inert Atmosphere: No requirement Venting: Safety relief LIQUID May cause frostbite NFPA HAZARD CLASSIFICATIONS: Category Classification Health Hazard (Blue) 1 Flammability (Red) 4 Reactivity (Yellow) 0 Odorless – may have skunk odor added CHEMICAL DESIGNATIONS Symptoms: Dimethylemethane Chemical Formula: CH3CH2CH3 OBSERVABLE CHARACTERISTICS Physical state (as shipped): Liquefied Compressed gas Color: Colorless Odor: Faint gassy FIRE HAZARDS Flash Point: -156° F.C.C. Flammable Limits in Air: 2.1% 9.5% Fire Extinguishing Agents: Stop flow of gas. For small fire use dry chemicals, cool adjacent areas with water spray. Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode. Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a long distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Ignition Temperature: 842° F. Page 6 of 6 PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES Physical State at 15°C and 1 atm: Gas Boiling Point at 1 atm: - 438°F Specific Gravity: 0.590 at -50°C (liquid) Vapor (Gas) Specific Gravity: 1.5 Latent Heat of Vaporization: 183.2Btu/lb Heat of Combustion: - 19,782 Btu/lb