North Dakota's State Fire Marshal sets LP-gas rules through a state fire code that adopts the 2021 International Fire Code and prints no NFPA 58 edition year. Those facts do not settle federal transportation duties. Propane Safety Pro (PSP), a manual-writing service, turns your operating information into manuals that keep facility, people and transport questions separate.
| Written item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Company policies and procedures | Who follows and maintains company procedures? |
| Facility operating and maintenance procedures | Do the cited rules apply to this facility and work? |
| DOT security plan | Do the federal material, quantity and transport conditions apply? |
Which North Dakota rules and sources should we consult?
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a division of the North Dakota Insurance Department, and the insurance commissioner appoints the state fire marshal. By statute, the state fire marshal adopts rules for the design, construction, location, installation and operation of equipment for storing, handling, transporting by tank truck or tank trailer, and using liquefied petroleum gases, including odorization. Sources: NDCC 18-09-02, NDCC 18-01-01 and North Dakota Fire Marshal page, read November 9, 2026.
N.D. Admin. Code 45-18-01-04, effective January 1, 2024, makes the International Fire Code, 2021 edition, part of the State Fire Code; its Chapter 61 entries name sections 6101.3 Construction documents and 6108.1 General. The state rule prints no NFPA 58 edition year, so confirm the edition with the State Fire Marshal before a manual names one. Source: N.D. Admin. Code 45-18-01-04, read November 9, 2026.
The state fire marshal, or the fire chief of any city or township, may order a person in writing to correct a violation of the LP-gas chapter or the fire marshal's rules. In the fire prevention rules, terms such as inspector and fire code official refer to the state fire marshal or a representative of that office. Sources: NDCC 18-09-04 and N.D. Admin. Code 45-18-01-03, read November 9, 2026.
When does a DOT security plan apply under 49 CFR 172.800?
Transportation requires a separate federal applicability check. The security-plan rule considers the material, quantity and transport activity; large bulk quantities of Division 2.1 material are one listed category. The definitions and exceptions matter, so a state fire code adoption and vehicle capacity alone cannot settle the question. Source: 49 CFR §172.800, read November 9, 2026.
A covered plan addresses risk assessment, personnel security, unauthorized access and en route security, with at least annual review and updates when circumstances change. Source: 49 CFR §172.802, read November 9, 2026. Use the national DOT Hazmat Security Plan page for that distinct book.
Which company procedures keep the records separate?
A North Dakota manual should name the fire authority for each site. The State Fire Marshal's page sends plan applications to the local fire authority having jurisdiction, or to the State Fire Marshal's office where there is no local authority. As a practical filing choice, keep plan acceptances apart from employee training records, then connect both to the procedures that use them. This is advice for making the file useful, not an extra State Fire Marshal retention rule. Source: North Dakota Fire Marshal page, read November 9, 2026.
Our Policies & Procedures manual puts the company's way of working into writing. It does not replace a fire code permit or decide which fire authority has jurisdiction.
How do PEP and CETP relate to training in North Dakota?
This site has no North Dakota training answer yet; see the state training guides. The LP-gas chapter directs the state fire marshal to set equipment and operating standards and does not name a course brand, exam or refresher interval for propane workers, so ask the State Fire Marshal what proof the job needs. Source: NDCC chapter 18-09, read November 9, 2026.
CETP means Certified Employee Training Program; PEP means PERC Education Program. PERC's move to job-based paths is a program description, not a ruling on North Dakota qualifications. Source: PERC FAQ, read November 8, 2026. Meet Safety Pro lists trainers; the separate DOT training page concerns federal training records.
Which facility operating and maintenance procedures apply?
Use the facility's equipment and applicable adopted rules as the basis for its procedures. Our Operations & Maintenance manual is the facility book, distinct from the company policy manual. The state rule replaces the words "obtain the required permit" with "may be required to obtain a permit", so record which permits your fire authority actually issued for the facility. Source: N.D. Admin. Code 45-18-01-04, read November 9, 2026. This guide does not decide every facility's O&M obligations.
How does a written manual relate to truck and field records?
A fire code permit answers a different question from who documented a delivery check. The Propane Safety App supports plant, tank and cathodic-protection records, plus training notifications. Capture tools include photos, location, dates and signatures. The office still checks findings and assigns repair follow-up. Full Tank Spotter adds service scheduling and work orders; those service functions belong to the broader product. Used with written procedures, the records help you show inspectors documented, dated work. The national Safety App page explains the wider workflow.
How can we request the written books for our operation?
A company rulebook, an applicable DOT security plan and the facility O&M book cover different parts of the operation. Bill or Kay can provide one written quote for the books that fit your work. Ask Bill or Kay for a written quote.
What else should a North Dakota propane company ask?
Which NFPA 58 edition does North Dakota adopt? The state fire code adopts the 2021 International Fire Code and prints no NFPA 58 edition year. Confirm the edition with the State Fire Marshal. Source: N.D. Admin. Code 45-18-01-04, read November 9, 2026.
Who can order a North Dakota LP-gas violation corrected? The state fire marshal, or the fire chief of any city or township, by written notice. Source: NDCC 18-09-04, read November 9, 2026.
Can North Dakota's fire code adoption replace the federal security-plan check? No. Apply the federal material, quantity and transport conditions separately. Source: §172.800, read November 9, 2026.
Does North Dakota license propane sellers? The special fuels tax chapter requires a license from the tax commissioner for listed special fuel businesses, and the commissioner may require a separate license for liquefied petroleum gases. That is a tax license, not a safety certification. Source: NDCC 57-43.2-05, read November 9, 2026.
Who wrote this guide, and which sources support it?
Official links and read dates appear beside the relevant claims. Read dates are not effective dates; confirm current requirements with the authority for the location and duties.
Written by: Bill Stomp — 25-year propane operator, combat veteran, who has since helped 200+ propane companies.
Last updated:
General information, not legal advice. A manual supports procedures; purchase alone does not establish training, implementation or compliance.