One of the many objectives of the propane industry is to develop and use certain guidelines or standards to help manufacture equipment or to promote fire prevention and safe operation. There are many different types of propane utilization equipment used in thousands of applications, all of which require special standards.
These standards must be constantly updated to meet the changing needs and technology of the industry. NPGA relies upon and supports many institutes, societies, and associations whose sole purpose is to organize and develop these codes and standards.
However, if these standards and testing requirements are not enforced, they can easily lose their effectiveness. The job of enforcement is the responsibility of federal, state, and local governments and their departments. Part of NPGA's mission is to ensure that these standards and their enforcement are reasonable, cost-effective and safety-based.
The Department of Transportation seeks to serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets the nation’s vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
The primary agencies within DOT that regulate the propane industry are the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
DOT's Pipeline and Hazards Material Safety Administration (PHMSA)
PHMSA's mission is to protect people and the environment from the risks inherent in transportation of hazardous materials - by highway, pipeline and other modes of transportation.
FMCSA page:
Energy Information Adminstration
The office for energy statistics, prices, and other public energy information.
EIA page: U.S. Propane and Other Liquified Gases. Start here for EIA information on propane.
Transportation Security Administration
The agency handling background check information for HAZMAT drivers.
TSA page: Background checks for HAZMAT drivers information.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
This office handles worker and workplace safety issues.
OSHA page: The OSHA Fire and Explosion Planning Matrix covers general aspects of fire prevention planning for terrorist or arson incidents.
OSHA page: OSHA Forms, Publications, and Posters
EPA page: Clean Alternative Fuels: Propane (Adobe PDF)
Fact sheet on propane-fueled vehicles.
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