In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger, TPGA highlights another upcoming increased roadside enforcement event scheduled for next week, find out when below and find out what this year's focus will be.
In the second story of the day, the Texas Propane Gas Association spotlights a new requirement from the Railroad Commission for large propane bulk distribution plants. A majority of bulk plants will not be affected until 2021, but a few new ones might, after September 1, 2020. Find out more about it in our regulatory spotlight.
Lastly, the Propane Education & Research (PERC) has launched a new training series to educate propane professionals on emerging propane technologies. Read more about the first online training in the series and how you can sign up.
Find reminders and quick links to important propane-related documents, programs, and trainings in our updated Quick Tabs section below.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- International Roadcheck
- Operations & Maintenance Manual
- Emerging Propane Technology Training
- Updated Quick Links
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Calendar
August 31-October 30, 2020
September 1, 2020
2017 NFPA 58 & 2018 NFPA 54 go into effect in Texas
September 7, 2020
Labor Day
TPGA Office: Closed
September 9, 2020
September 9-11, 2020
International Roadcheck
Increased Enforcement
September 14-17, 2020
September 21-25, 2020
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CVSA Roadcheck is September 9-11, 2020 With a Focus on Driver Requirements |
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This past spring, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced the postponement of International Roadcheck due to the coronavirus pandemic, with new dates to be determined. CVSA has now rescheduled International Roadcheck for September 9-11, 2020.
International Roadcheck is a 72-hour high-volume, high-visibility inspection and enforcement initiative when CVSA-certified inspectors across North America, including the U.S. and Texas.
Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a category of violations. This year’s focus is on the driver requirements component of a roadside inspection. According to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) data, of the approximately 3.36 million inspections conducted in 2019, 952,938 driver violations were discovered, of which 199,722 were out-of-service conditions.
For the driver portion of an inspection, the inspector will collect and verify the driver’s documents, identify the motor carrier, examine the driver’s license, check the record of duty status and review periodic inspection report(s).
During International Roadcheck, CVSA-certified inspectors also conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection. If an inspector identifies critical inspection item violations that meet the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria during a vehicle inspection, the inspector will render the vehicle out of service, which means that vehicle will be restricted from traveling until those violations are corrected.
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New LP Gas Safety Rule Highlight
Operations & Maintenance Manual
A Majority Not Affected until 2021
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In 2004, the NFPA adopted a requirement that installations over 4,000 gallons have an Operations & Maintenance Manual. Since then, Texas has had an exception to this NFPA 58 requirement.
However, in the latest LP Gas Safety rule adoption, the Railroad Commission of Texas has adopted this chapter of the NFPA 58 2017 edition, but with an exception. The exception is the requirement is triggered at a higher threshold than what NFPA requires.
While existing bulk plant & industrial installations over 10,000 gallons aggregate and above are NOT required to comply until September 1, 2021, new plants installed after September 1, 2020, with an aggregate water capacity of 10,000 gallons or more and all pipeline LP-Gas systems are expected to have one.
The Texas Propane Gas Association has been working with the Railroad Commission to get more guidance on what the RRC would like to see in an Operations & Maintenance (O & M) Manual. The RRC has agreed to develop and share a checklist and provide more guidance. TPGA will share this information with members to help them develop a manual when we receive it. A couple of compliance associate members have also reached out to us saying they provide O & M manuals as a service.
Since this is a new requirement and guidance is still forthcoming, the RRC will not prevent plants from going into service if they do not have an O & M manual after September 1st, however, RRC may issue a warning. RRC does not expect many industry folks to be affected by the new requirement in the imminent future since it is limited to "new" large bulk plants.
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Propane Presents: Technology Series |
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The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is launching a new educational series for propane professionals, called the Propane Presents Technology Series showcasing the latest advancements in propane-powered emerging equipment from the country's leading manufacturers. PERC is partnering manufacturers and early adopters to highlight the benefits of using propane products, as well as training techniques to help make these emerging technologies ones that your business can capitalize on, no matter its role.
Tune into the first webinar in the series on September 10, 2020 at 1PM on hydronic solutions for space heating.
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Can't make it to the webinar? The Texas Propane Gas Association has covered this emerging technology in our latest Propane with Purpose, Tankless Hydronic Heating Gets Simpler, in the September issue of Texas Propane magazine which will be arriving to you in the next week. |
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Find out how you can SAVE
by using the
TPGA Tire Program
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Providing Hurricane Laura relief? Read about
& download waivers
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New rules, NFPA 54 & 58 in Texas go into effect on
September 1, 2020
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Don't Forget There is Zoom Online Category E Class
Scheduled for September
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