MODULE 6 Vehicle Parking, Servicing, and Security

Introduction As a propane delivery driver, you must follow NFPA 58 parking and garaging regulations to keep yourself, your vehicle, and the public safe and secure. This module presents guidelines for parking your vehicle indoors at public and non-public buildings, and outdoors either while making deliveries or for any other purpose. This module also provides guidelines for complying with vehicle attendance regulations and security requirements. After completing this module, you will be able to: Follow safety and security guidelines for parking propane delivery vehicles indoors and outdoors Identify the importance of vehicle security and vehicle attendance requirements

LESSON 1 Parking and Servicing Requirements

Parking Indoors at Public Garages or Buildings A vehicle transporting propane either in a cargo tank or in cylinders loaded on the vehicle can be parked in a public garage or other public building only after: All liquid propane is removed from the cargo tank, piping, pump, meter, hoses, and other equipment. All portable propane containers are removed from the vehicle. The vapor pressure in the piping, pump, meter, delivery hose and related equipment is reduced to approximately zero. All valves are closed, and the delivery hose or valve outlets are plugged or capped.

Parking Indoors at Non-Public Buildings A vehicle transporting propane either in a cargo tank or in cylinders loaded on the vehicle can be parked indoors at a non-public building, such as a bulk plant, only if: The building is constructed in accordance with NFPA 58. NFPA 58 provides construction requirements related to items such as the building’s roof, its ventilation and exterior walls. The premises where the building is located are under the control of the operator (owner) of the vehicle. The public is excluded from the building. Floor level ventilation is provided in all parts of the building where vehicles are parked. Leaks in the vehicle LP-gas systems have been repaired. MORE

Parking Indoors at Non-Public Buildings cont. Primary shutoff valves on the cargo tank and other LP-gas containers on the vehicle (except the vehicle’s engine fuel container) are closed and the delivery hose outlets are plugged or capped. Primary shutoff valves on the vehicle’s engine fuel container are closed while the vehicle is parked. No LP-gas container is located near a source of heat or within the direct path of hot air being blown. LP-gas containers are gauged or weighed.

Parking Outdoors You may park your delivery vehicle outdoors without worrying about traffic congestion only in emergencies or when the vehicle is attended, such as when making deliveries. Normal rest stops and meals are acceptable as well. If your vehicle is unattended while parked outdoors, be sure that: It is not parked in congested areas. It is parked on a street adjacent to your residence and is transporting portable containers or has a cargo tank of 3,500 gallons water capacity or less. In addition, your vehicle must be located at least 50 ft from any buildings such as churches, schools, apartment buildings, or hospitals. If parked off-street, it must be located at least 50 ft from any buildings such as churches, schools, apartment buildings, or hospitals.

Servicing Cargo Tanks and Piping Systems Sometimes it is necessary to perform service on your vehicle’s cargo tank system or its associated piping or equipment. When this type of repair is necessary, be sure to do the following remove all propane from the cargo tank and piping and thoroughly purge the cargo tank system before moving your vehicle inside the repair facility.

Servicing the Engine/Chassis in a Public Garage: Vehicle Attended There may be times when you will need to bring your vehicle to a public garage or building for service on the engine or chassis. The following must be completed before moving your vehicle indoors if the vehicle will be in attendance the entire time it is being serviced: Close primary shutoff valves on cargo tank, portable containers, and other propane containers installed on the vehicle (except the vehicle’s engine fuel container). Remove all propane liquid from the piping, pump, meter, delivery hose, and related equipment. MORE

Servicing the Engine/Chassis in a Public Garage: Vehicle Attended cont. Reduce the pressure in the delivery system to approximately zero. Plug or cap the delivery hose or valve outlets. Gauge or weigh all propane containers. After you have moved your vehicle indoors, be certain that no propane container is located near a source of heat or within the direct path of hot air being blown.

Servicing the Engine/Chassis in a Public Garage: Vehicle Unattended If your vehicle will be unattended while the engine or chassis is being serviced in a public garage or building, the following must be completed before moving your vehicle indoors: Remove all liquid propane from the cargo tank, piping, pump, meter, hoses, and other equipment. Remove all portable propane containers from the vehicle. Reduce the vapor pressure in the delivery hose and other equipment to approximately zero. Close all valves and plug or cap the delivery hose or valve outlets.

Servicing the Engine/Chassis in a Non-Public Building You may park your delivery vehicle in a non-public building, such as a bulk plant, for service on the engine or chassis, only if the following conditions are met: The building is constructed in accordance with NFPA 58. The premises where the building is located are under the control of the operator (owner) of the vehicle. The public is excluded from the building. Floor level ventilation is provided in all parts of the building where the vehicles are parked. Leaks in the vehicle LP-gas systems have been repaired. Primary shutoff valves on the cargo tank and other LP-gas containers on the vehicle (except the vehicle’s engine fuel container) are closed and the delivery hose outlets are plugged or capped. MORE

Servicing the Engine/Chassis in a Non-Public Building cont. Primary shutoff valves on the vehicle’s engine fuel container are closed while the vehicle is parked. No LP-gas container is located near a source of heat or within the direct path of hot air being blown. LP-gas containers are gauged or weighed.

LESSON 2 Security of Propane Delivery Vehicles

The Importance of Vehicle Security This lesson presents security considerations for propane delivery drivers at a very high level. Each propane company is required to have its own detailed security plan and provisions. Be sure to ask your supervisor for your company’s policy and procedures regarding vehicle security. Propane marketers and employees have long worked to prevent incidents to parked or unattended propane delivery vehicles. In the past, the main concerns were theft of vehicle accessories, vandalism, product leaks, and fire potential. The newer risk of terrorism has broadened the range of threats and increased the need for greater security for parked and unattended hazmat vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have published guidelines for the security of transportation operations. These are helpful to propane employees and managers who are responsible for vehicle security.

Attending Your Vehicle As the driver of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials, NFPA 58 requires you to stay with the vehicle at all times, except when performing job-related duties. While attending the vehicle, remain alert and in view of the vehicle at all times. You are considered a qualified representative of a motor carrier if you are: Designated by the carrier to attend the vehicle. Aware of the nature of the hazardous materials contained in the vehicle. Instructed in the procedures you must follow in emergencies. Authorized to move your vehicle and have the means and ability to do so. MORE

Attending Your Vehicle cont. You are properly attending your vehicle if you are: In your vehicle, awake, and not in a sleeper berth. Within 100 ft of your vehicle and have an unobstructed view of it.

Security Training and Communications Every hazmat employee should receive awareness training on: The security risks associated with hazmat transportation The methods designed to improve transportation security How to recognize and respond to possible security threats As a hazmat employee, it is critical that you observe patterns of activities that may generate concern and report them to your supervisor. Also, refer to your company policy on security communications. Note: New hazmat employees must receive security awareness training within 90 days after employment.

Summary Some important points to remember from this module are: Before parking your vehicle indoors at a public garage, you must remove all liquid propane from the cargo tank, piping, pump, meter, hoses, and equipment. You must also remove any cylinders. You may park your vehicle indoors at a non-public garage as long as the building is in accordance with NFPA 58. You may park your vehicle outdoors without worrying about congestion only during emergencies or while making attended deliveries. Otherwise, avoid congested areas and remain at least 50 ft from public buildings. You must be aware of and follow the different requirements for attended and unattended servicing of your vehicle’s engine or chassis in public and non-public repair facilities. As a hazmat employee, it is critical that you attend required security training and remain alert to suspicious patterns of activities that could harm the public.