Liquefied Compressed Gas Leak Checks

[LOGO] # MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT MIKE CHANEY Commissioner of Insurance State Fire Marshal MARK HAIRE Deputy Commissioner of Insurance 501 N. WEST STREET, SUITE 1001 WOOLFOLK BUILDING JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201 www.mid.state.ms.us MAILING ADDRESS Post Office Box 79 Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0079 TELEPHONE: (601) 359-3569 FAX: (601) 359-2474 # MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE # BULLETIN NO. 2010-4 TO: All Liquefied Compressed Gas Permit Holders FROM: Mike Chaney, Commissioner of Insurance DATE: September 13, 2010 SUBJECT: Leak Checks Mississippi Code Annotated §75-57-9 specifically adopts by reference certain national codes related to liquefied compressed gas safety, including but not limited to the National Fire Protection Association Code, Pamphlet 54 (NFPA-54). NFPA-54 provides for the performance of leak checks on new or interrupted service, and gives instructions/guidance as to how such leak checks are to be performed. The purpose of this Bulletin is to remind permit holders of the requirement that these checks be performed, and the acceptable methods by which said checks should be done. # LEAK CHECKS # I. Leak Checks A. Leak Checks shall be performed on any interruption of service to an existing system or first time service of a new customer. NFPA 54, page 54-13, 3.3.64 (2009 Edition) B. For the purposes of this Bulletin, a new customer includes any propane system that is new to the propane service provider; any existing system previously served by another 1 propane service provider; and any customer returning to a service provider after being served by another propane service provider. An interruption of service to a propane system means any time any part of the system has a loss of pressure, for example when a line is replaced, an appliance is repaired or a new appliance is installed. All “out of gas” situations are interruptions of service. An out of gas situation occurs both when a tank is completely out of gas, or when the pressure becomes so low that appliances, heaters, etc. cannot operate and/or shut off, even though there may technically be some gas in the tank. C. Any method used for performing a leak check should be sufficient to actually find a leak if one exists. Suggested methods for performing a Leak Check include the proper use of lights, the use of a gas meter, and checks performed not using a gas meter, as set forth in NFPA 54, Annex D, Page 54-133 (2009 Edition) ## II. Accountability A. Leak Checks performed in occupied dwellings should include an interior inspection of the propane system and appliances, and the reigniting pilots and appliances to assure proper operation of appliances. B. Documentation of Leak Checks, including the items checked and the results of the check should be kept on file at the branch or office serving the customer and must be made available to Mississippi LC Gas Inspector upon request. It is recommended that the customer or customer representative be present at time the leak check is performed, and that the customer or customer representative sign the leak check documentation. 2