OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE MANUALS
REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPANE STORAGE FACILITIES
All propane delivery companies (per NFPA 58 Code) who operate or maintain a propane bulk plant must have a documented Operations and Maintenance Manual specific to your facility. As members of the Propane Gas Defense Association and called on for legal cases as expert witnesses, our experts see first hand the importance of maintaining O&M Manuals to avoid costly fines and preventing safety and liability issues.
NFPA 58 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Your company’s Operations and Maintenance Manual must cover all equipment in the bulk plant facility and daily tasks performed by employees in the facility. Your company’s Operations and Maintenance Manual is unique to your facility and must be customized to the conditions, functionality, and daily tasks performed at the facility.
Operations
Any propane-related activity must have a written procedure as appropriate for the facility. These can be derived from your company’s Policies and Procedures Manual, but must be expressly written independently in your Operations and Maintenance Manual and shall be updated whenever a change occurs that affects the operation of a system.- Documents daily facility operations
- Critical for training new and existing employees
- All training should be documented per NFPA 58 for company records
Maintenance Procedures
Written maintenance procedures shall be the basis for maintaining the mechanical integrity of the facility. In addition to periodic safety inspections it is required and recommended to perform regular facility maintenance to ensure longevity and safe operations. Maintenance procedures shall include:- Routine inspections
- Preventive maintenance procedures and schedules per manufacturer
- A record of all maintenance performed on the facility
- A maintenance program for all fire protection equipment
Why Have an Operations and Maintenance Manual?
- In order to be in meet the code requirements found in:
- NFPA 58
- State or Local Fire Code
- OSHA
- To ensure coverage by your Insurance Policy
- To protect against employee injury and equipment damage
- To protect against legal liabilities, accidents and fires
PERC, NPGA and the PGDA all recommend you have an Operations and Maintenance Manual to protect your company from significant legal and safety risks. Most state, local jurisdictions and insurance companies require them as well per NFPA 58. Your company is at significant risk if you do not have one. Contact Propane Safety Pro today to consult with our experts in getting your Operations and Maintenance Manual established or an existing one reviewed to be in compliance and to protect your business and operations team.
