What is a propane operations and maintenance manual?

The plant book a fire marshal asks for. It maps NFPA 58 operations and maintenance chapters as your AHJ adopted them. 2020 Chapter 15 is the usual cite. It is not a chapter of the policies and procedures manual.

Operators with on-site bulk storage. No on-site bulk storage, and you likely do not owe this book. That is a different question from the cargo-tank operations book. Confirm the edition your state adopted.

Where do hose and ESV records go?

Hose inspection and ESV annual test records belong here. Manufacturer and adopted-edition intervals stay as buyer blanks or lookups. We do not print a universal hose interval as law.

Propane Operations Maintenance Manual

Operations & Maintenance Manual

If You Run a Bulk Plant, NFPA 58 Says Put the Routine in Writing

Every valve you check, every hose you swap, every scheduled maintenance run — NFPA 58 expects a written Operations & Maintenance manual specific to your plant, not a manufacturer's binder with your name stapled on the front. Skip it, and a state inspector, your insurer, or your own attorney is the one who finds out first.

Every bulk-plant operator needs this one — NFPA 58 requires it by name, not as a suggestion.

Ask for the intake form

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

Operations & Maintenance Manuals