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Transport of LPG

Contents:

Introduction

Any vehicle used to transport LPG should:

  • Be suitable for the task, of adequate strength and of good condition.
  • Allow cylinders to be secured upright.
  • Have adequate ventilation (preferably open).

Drivers are not permitted to smoke in, or near, any vehicle that is being loaded or unloaded with LPG cylinders. Means of ignition i.e. cigarette lighters, lanterns, portable cooking stoves etc., are not permitted to be carried or operated on or in the vehicle. Appliances may be carried so long as they may not be operated whilst they are on the vehicle and their carriage does not present a risk of ignition. Appliances that are boxed or packaged would comply with this requirement.

Apart from the vehicle crew, no passengers should be carried.

Carriage in Closed Vehicles

Flogas UK Ltd do not recommend the use of closed vehicles for carrying gas bottles.

i) If LESS THAN FOUR cylinders are to be carried:

  • Cylinders should be loaded in a single layer and secured to prevent movement.
  • The cylinders must be upright.
  • Flammable gas danger warning diamonds should be displayed at the rear and on both sides of the van.

ii) If MORE THAN FOUR cylinders are to be carried:

  • All of the above, plus:
  • Load compartment must have vents at the front and at the rear (or positions recommended by the manufacturer) to give a flow of air through the compartment. The rear opening should be as low as possible and the total area of ventilation must be at least 2% of the area of the load compartment floor (equally divided by front and rear).
  • It is strongly recommended that no more than 200kg of LPG in cylinders is carried in a closed vehicle.

In case of a leak with fire

  • A small fire from a bottle may be smothered with a wet cloth or dry powder extinguisher, ONLY if it is possible to stop the leak.
  • Cool with water any adjacent bottles, which cannot be moved to a safe place.
  • Always approach any fire or leak from upwind and using any protection available.
  • Gas tight plugs should be fitted to the cylinder outlet valves.
  • Cylinders should not remain in the vehicle whilst stationary for more than 2 hours.
  • If there is a smell of gas, open all methods of ventilation fully. Do not initiate any electronic facilities and any lighting equipment should be intrinsically safe (eg.torches). Do not move the vehicle until the interior has been declared safe by a competent person.

The rules governing the transport of LPG vary according to HOW MUCH is being carried and the SIZE OF VEHICLE being used.

The following gives a summary of the key points under the regulations applicable to the transport of LPG.

The following information assumes that no other dangerous goods are being transported at the same time. Load limits and other requirements will change if mixed (LPG and other dangerous goods) loads are being transported.

Loads up to 333kg (net contents) of LPG

Drivers must have received adequate instruction and training. This means that drivers must understand the properties and hazards of LPG and the action to be taken in an emergency, together with their duties under the regulations. Their employer should keep a record of this training on file. LPG training can be provided by Flogas.

All loads must carry correct documentation, showing:

  • UN number (UN1978 for propane, UN1011 for butane)
  • Proper shipping name (propane and/or butane)
  • Load sheet showing quantity carried
  • Consignee name and address
  • Consignor name and address

1 x 2kg dry powder fire extinguisher must be carried in the cab.

Loads over 333kg (net contents) of LPG on all vehicles

All the previous apply, plus the following:

Drivers must hold a Vocational Training Certificate (commonly known as an 'ADR' certificate) covering Class 2 (for LPG) and dangerous goods other than in tanks. Drivers must keep their certificates with them at all times when carrying dangerous goods and produce them when asked by a police officer, HSE inspector or goods vehicle examiner (VOSA).

A Transport Emergency Card (TREMCARD) must be carried, which contains information on the nature of the hazards associated with the goods being carried, the first aid measures needed to treat anyone coming into contact with the goods and the emergency action required in the event of a leak or fire. It should be displayed prominently when goods are carried but removed or locked away when none of the dangerous goods are on the vehicle.

Orange warning plates must be displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle, in the vertical plane, when carrying LPG, but must be removed or covered when no LPG is on board. If a trailer is being used then the rear orange plate must be on the back of the trailer.

An additional 2kg dry powder fire extinguisher must be carried to deal with a fire involving the load carried (in addition to the 2kg extinguisher in the cab).

The following equipment must also be carried:

  • One wheel chock
  • Two self standing signs (cones, triangles or flashing amber lights)
  • One reflective vest per crew member
  • One EX-rated pocket lamp (torch)
  • The PPE listed for the driver on the TREMCARD.

Consignors who transport LPG cylinders in loads greater than 333kg LPG must appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA).

Flogas can act as DGSA for our dealers and distributors. Contact the Technical Department at Syston for details.

Loads over 333kg of LPG on vehicles with a gross train weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes

An additional 2kg (minimum size) dry powder fire extinguisher must be carried to deal with a fire involving the load carried (in addition to the 2kg extinguisher in the cab).

Loads over 333kg of LPG on vehicles with a gross weight between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes

All the above apply, plus the following:

The additional dry powder fire extinguisher must have a minimum capacity of 6kg.

Loads over 333kg of LPG on vehicles with a gross train weight over 7.5 tonnes

All the above apply, plus the following:

The additional dry powder fire extinguishers must have a minimum capacity of 10kg (at least one of which must be 6kg or more).

When a vehicle carrying over 10,000kg (net contents of LPG) is parked, it should be supervised at all times by a competent person over 18, or parked in a secure depot or factory premises. If such facilities are not available, the following (listed in order of preference) should be complied with:

  • It is parked in a vehicle park supervised by an attendant who has been notified of the nature of the load and the whereabouts of the driver
  • It is parked in a public or private vehicle park where the vehicle is not likely to suffer damage from other vehicles
  • It is parked in a suitable open space separated from the public highway and from dwellings, where the public does not normally pass or assemble.

Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors

A Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) is someone who is vocationally qualified to advise on Health, Safety and Environmental matters in relation to the transport of dangerous goods. Employers need to appoint one if they:

  • (a) Consign dangerous goods for transport and load the means of transport themselves.
  • (b) Are operators of road vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
  • (c) Load or unload dangerous goods while they are in transit to their final destination.

There are some exemptions from these rules, which are:-

  • (a) If you only transport, load or unload dangerous goods below their respective load thresholds, which is 333kg for LPG.
  • (b) Consignees who only unload dangerous goods.

A DGSA may either be an existing employee, employer or consultant as long as they hold a Vocational Training Certificate in the transport category of the goods you are carrying.

DGSA's will have to pass a refresher examination every 5 years to remain qualified. The duties of a DGSA can be summarised as follows:

  • (a) To provide advice on all aspects of transporting dangerous goods.
  • (b) To monitor compliance with the legal requirements on the safe transport of dangerous goods and related health and safety practices and procedures.
  • (c) To prepare any accident reports on the activities concerning the transport of dangerous goods.
  • (d) To prepare an annual report on the activities concerning the transport of dangerous goods. Primarily this is an internal document summarising monitoring activities and to make any recommendations concerning the transport of dangerous goods. These records are to be kept for 5 years and are to be made available to enforcement agencies on request.

A DGSA may appoint others to do the above duties under their direct responsibility. A DGSA may also cover several operating sites and also shared sites where more than one employer who is carrying dangerous goods is operating.

Flogas have appointed a number of DGSA's and can provide their services on a consultancy basis to authorised Flogas Distributors and Dealers.

Transport Security Regulations

The Carriage of Dangerous and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007 includes specific requirements for security provisions in the carriage of dangerous goods (such as LPG). These requirements apply wherever more than 333kg of LPG is carried.

In short, we must:

1. Only offer dangerous goods to carriers that have been appropriately identified
Make sure you properly identify any carriers you may use for transporting LPG before loading them.
2. Ensure drivers (and any crew) carry with them photographic identification
This must be a formal identity document with a photograph, for example: an EU driving licence, passport or a photo ID issued by the employer.
3. Secure areas used for the storage of dangerous goods (including temporary storage)
Make sure your LPG storage areas are secure and limit access to appropriately trained / recruited staff.
4. Carry out security inspections in addition to safety inspections
Before taking control of a vehicle, drivers should carry out a security inspection in addition to their normal daily safety inspection to make sure that, for example, the vehicle has not been tampered with. Drivers should make cursory security checks every time they leave their vehicle unattended.
5. Give staff security awareness training
All staff involved in the transport of dangerous goods need a basic level of training to improve their awareness of security. It should deal with:
  • The nature of security risks
  • Recognising security risks
  • How to minimise security risks
  • What to do in the event of a security breach
This initial training should be supplemented with periodic retraining.

Specially trained VOSA inspectors will be carrying out roadside checks on compliance with these new requirements.

The Department for Transport have also published a useful guidance document, which is available on their web-site www.dft.gov.uk/security/dangerousgoods together with information on training (including a video) and an advice sheet for drivers.