Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services licenses LP-gas retailers, names NFPA 58, 2011 edition, in its gas systems code, and requires plan approval and inspection for larger LP-gas systems. 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 Wisconsin rules and sources should we consult?
Wisconsin law has the department set rules for the design, construction, location, installation, operation, repair, and maintenance of equipment for storage, handling, use, and transportation by tank truck or tank trailer of LP-gas. No retailer may distribute liquefied petroleum gas without holding a license issued by the department; a retailer means a person engaged in the business of filling containers that have a water capacity of at least 4 pounds with LP-gas that is intended to be used directly from the containers as fuel, and does not include a person who fills such containers for the person's own use. Source: Wis. Stat. § 101.16(1)(d), (2)(a) and (3g), read November 10, 2026.
The gas systems code lists the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, NFPA 58, 2011 edition, and LP-gas systems shall be designed, constructed, installed, operated and maintained as specified in ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 and NFPA 58, except as otherwise provided in the chapter. The section history reads CR 11-002, effective 9-1-11; confirm with DSPS before a manual names a newer edition. Sources: Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 340.40(1)(b)4. and § SPS 340.51, read November 10, 2026.
No person may engage in the business of filling containers with LP-gas that is intended to be used directly from the containers as fuel, unless the person holds a license issued by the department as a licensed liquefied gas supplier or liquefied gas supplier - restricted, except as provided under either of the following conditions: the business is engaged in only filling containers that have a water capacity of less than 4 pounds, or the filling of the containers with LP-gas is for the person's or the entity's own use. A person who holds a license as a licensed liquefied gas supplier - restricted shall be limited to filling only department of transportation cylinders. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 305.73(1), read November 10, 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 liquefied gas supplier license 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 Wisconsin manual should name who holds the supplier license, who files each plan approval and certificate of installation, and who calls the district inspector. As a practical filing choice, keep license and insurance records apart from installation records, then connect each to the procedures that use it. This is advice for making the file useful, not an extra DSPS retention rule.
Our Policies & Procedures manual puts the company's way of working into writing. It does not replace a DSPS license, a plan approval or an inspection.
How do PEP and CETP relate to training in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin training guide covers the supplier credential and its renewal. The person applying for the license shall be the owner of the contracting business, a partner in the contracting business applying on behalf of a partnership, or the chairman of the board or chief executive officer; the sections cited here name no CETP or PEP course, so ask DSPS what training evidence a given task needs. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 305.73(3)(b), read November 10, 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 Wisconsin 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. Plan approval shall be obtained from the department or a first class city before commencing construction, installation or alteration for any system described in Table 340.30, which lists a liquefied petroleum gas system that uses a container with over 2000 gallons water capacity, or containers with an aggregate water capacity exceeding 4000 gallons. The DSPS Gas Systems page says the program performs plan reviews and inspections on liquid petroleum gas systems, among others. Gas systems for which plan approval under s. SPS 340.30 is required shall be inspected by the department or the first class city, and the installer shall notify the department district inspector or the first class city at least 5 business days prior to the start of construction to arrange for the inspection. Sources: Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 340.30, § SPS 340.34(2) and DSPS Gas Systems page, read November 10, 2026. This guide does not decide every facility's O&M obligations.
How does a written manual relate to truck and field records?
A certificate of installation 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 Wisconsin propane company ask?
How fast must a Wisconsin gas system accident be reported? If a gas system component fails and causes injuries that require more than first aid treatment, the owner or user reports the facts in writing on form SBD-10789-E within the following 24 hours, and may not remove or disturb the gas system equipment prior to receiving authorization from the department or first class city, except for the purpose of saving human life or preventing further property damage. Source: Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 340.39, read November 10, 2026.
Which NFPA 58 edition does Wisconsin adopt? The 2011 edition, listed in the gas systems code (SPS 340.40). Source: Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 340.40(1)(b)4., read November 10, 2026.
Can a Wisconsin supplier license replace the federal security-plan check? No. Apply the federal material, quantity and transport conditions separately. Source: §172.800, read November 9, 2026.
What paperwork does a Wisconsin installer leave behind? The person actually performing the work of installing equipment utilizing LP-gas for fuel purposes shall furnish the user a statement, the form of which shall be prescribed by the department, showing that the design, construction, location, and installation conform with the rules. The installer also completes certificate of installation form SBD-9656-E, provides it to the owner, keeps a copy at the site and sends a copy to the local fire department within 10 business days, except for LP-gas installations exempt from plan approval. Sources: Wis. Stat. § 101.16(4)(a) and Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 340.31, read November 10, 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.