Use federal transport rules to decide if your Ohio company needs the plan. The Ohio fire code covers site work. Rule 1301:7-7-61 adopts the 2021 International Fire Code's chapter 61. State changes apply. Review the federal test, then use your real Ohio site and cylinder records.
Ask which installation needs an Ohio permit
Ohio requires permits for stationary containers over 2,000 gallons of water. Sites over 4,000 gallons of water in total also need permits. Rooftop ASME containers are a separate permit category. Raise that rooftop question even if the tank is small.
Use the approved site details to review where drivers enter, fill and leave. Tank size alone does not show access to a cylinder rack. It does not show how the attendant reaches dispatch.
Look at the public-facing cylinder area
Exchange cylinders have two enclosure options. Use the specified NFPA 58 enclosure. Or use a lockable ventilated metal rack or enclosure. It must prevent valve tampering and theft. The rule also addresses vehicle-impact protection. Check those features at each public exchange site.
On a site walk, you can record who checks the enclosure. Show where to report a damaged barrier. Check whether the public can reach the valves. These are suggested assignments. They do not change the federal covered-shipment test.
Separate a qualified filling attendant from a security assignment
Section 6106.1 requires qualified attendants for LP-gas transfer work. It points to NFPA 58 section 4.4 for training. Check that training even if the same worker also handles vehicle access.
Section 6107.5 requires the owner's permission. Get it before filling or transferring gas into the container. Keep that question in the review of unfamiliar vehicles or tanks. Possession alone is not permission to fill.
Keep code references accurate
The state fire marshal's rules form the Ohio Fire Code. The administrative chapter sets out their roles. It covers the fire marshal and fire-code officials. Name the official for the real site before routing a code question.
Ohio adopts NFPA 58 by rule. See the referenced-standards rule and LP-gas rule. Check the current NFPA 58 edition with the State Fire Marshal. The 2021 IFC year is a separate code reference.
Read the national plan page for the federal amount test and plan contents. The Ohio manual page covers daily filling and site checks.
Questions an Ohio route manager might raise
Does a small rooftop ASME tank avoid the permit list? Rooftop ASME containers are listed separately from the capacity tests. Review the proposed site with the code official.
What protects exchange cylinders from tampering? Section 6109.13.1 gives two options. One is the specified NFPA 58 enclosure. The other is a lockable ventilated metal rack or enclosure. It must prevent valve tampering and theft. The rule also covers vehicle-impact protection.
Can a trained attendant fill any tank brought to the site? Section 6107.5 still requires the container owner's permission. Training does not remove that condition.
Where can we check Ohio's NFPA 58 reference? Start with rule 1301:7-7-80. Check the current edition with the State Fire Marshal. The 2021 IFC year is a separate code reference.
Propane Safety Pro offers a DOT Hazmat Security Plan manual. Use it with your federal coverage review. Check Ohio's rules for the real site too.
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. Propane Safety Pro is published by the makers of the DOT Hazmat Security Plan and the Policies & Procedures manual described on this page.
General information, not legal advice.