Yes, if your Pennsylvania business meets the federal test. It covers offering or transporting propane in commerce. That means more than 3,000 liters (792 gallons) in one packaging. State LPG permits and attendant training add separate duties. Keep those records with your operating files.
Begin with the permit posted at the location
L&I runs the LPG program. Its Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety handles that work. Register each year under section 13.5. It covers bulk-plant operators, distributors and industrial users. Post the yearly permit at each covered site. Keep a site list for your plan review.
Register each cylinder exchange cabinet site on its own. It also needs yearly renewal. Add new retail exchange sites to the office's permit list. Include those sites when you review access and stock.
Check who is authorized to transfer the gas
Only authorized attendants may transfer LPG under section 13.7. An attendant must be an employee. The Department must approve the training. The site operator must also recognize that person for the duties. Check both before assigning dispenser work.
Section 13.1 lists NFPA 58–2008 and NFPA 54–2009. Section 13.4 limits what the state adopts. It leaves out two NFPA 58 chapters. These are vehicle transport and marine shipping. Check federal transport duties on their own. The state book list does not settle that question.
Use the installation file to ground the site review
Apply before installing a tank over 2,000 water gallons. Apply for a fixed site over 4,000 combined water gallons too. Dispensing stations and exchange cabinet sites also need an application. Plans must cover security measures and fire and vehicle protection. Use the real site details in your risk review. That form does not replace the federal plan.
Section 172.802 ties a written plan to the operation's security risks. Read the national plan page for staff, access and route risks. Use site files and records of who can fill. They help you assign that work.
Pennsylvania permit and security questions
Does one distributor registration cover all exchange sites? Each exchange cabinet address needs its own registration and yearly renewal. Keep the address list current.
Who recognizes an authorized attendant? The site operator does. The Department must approve that worker's training too. Being on the payroll alone is not enough.
Why does the installation form ask about security? Section 13.20 requires security measures in the plans. Include fire and vehicle protection too. That form covers the installation. Covered transport work still needs its federal plan.
Does the state adopt NFPA 58's transport chapter? Section 13.4 excludes chapter 9, vehicle transport. Check the federal transport rules on their own.
Prepare both the location and transportation records
Gather yearly permits, exchange-site addresses and attendant assignments for a plan discussion. The state manual guide shows how those records fit the office's daily work.
Bill Stomp built Propane Safety Pro. He is a war veteran who personally ran over 87 propane branch offices across 12 states, and he has helped more than 200 propane companies improve their profits, sales, safety and operations.
Propane Insider is published by the makers of Tank Spotter, Custom Fuel App, Blink Fuel, PIMS and Propane Safety Pro; some links go to advertisers.
General information, not legal advice.