Directive: Propane Filling Plants and Container Refill Centres

This directive is being issued by a provincial safety manager pursuant to section 30 of the Safety Standards Act.

Scope

This directive details design and installation requirements for propane filling plants (PFP) and container refill centres (CRC) in accordance with the CSA B149.2 Propane storage and handling code (CSA B149.2). These requirements apply to new installations, changes to tank capacity or tank locations at existing facilities.   Propane companies operating with a valid safety management plan under the Alternative Safety Approaches Regulation must comply with the requirements of this directive unless an acceptable alternative has been specifically identified under the terms of any current plan.

Details:

CSA B149.2 clause 7.12 states - In heavily populated or congested areas, the authority having jurisdiction may determine restrictions of individual tank capacity, total storage, distance to line of adjoining property, and other requirements.   Heavily populated or congested areas are determined based on CSA B149.2 restrictions and the BC Building Code for occupant load.

Requirements:

1. For commercial or industrial (non-retail) CRC applications, in place of a design registration submission, a copy of the commercial or industrial (non-retail) zoning confirmation and an occupancy load determination must be submitted with the installation permit application.
2. PFP and CRC facilities must adhere to the heavily populated or congested area determination requirements listed below in this directive.
3. An application for design registration must be submitted to, accepted by, and registered with Technical Safety BC prior to the start of construction or installation.  
4. All new PFP or CRC design registration application submissions must be supported with approval or verification documentation from the following associated authorities having jurisdiction:  
   • the local government where the facility will be located. This may include, but is not limited to, business licensing, issuance of building permit where applicable, or confirmation of site zoning type;
   • the fire department responsible for the area where the facility will be located. This may include, but is not limited to, a completed occupancy load determination document if required by a local government bylaw; and
   • if cannot be provided under the above, the completion of an occupancy load determination document provided by a registered professional recognized by the local government.  
5. Drawings must demonstrate compliance to the applicable requirements of CSA B149.2 and CSA B149.1 Natural gas and propane installation code.
6. In accordance with the Safety Standards Act, all regulated equipment or products, including refuelling equipment, must be certified by a Standards Council of Canada accredited certification agency to an adopted Canadian standard.  
7. Tanks located at a CRC must have a maximum propane storage capacity of 5000 USWG (19 000L) total as required under CSA B149.2 clause 7.19.  
8. In accordance with the Safety Standard General Regulation, prior to construction or installation taking place, a licensed gas contractor must:
   • obtain a propane dispenser installation permit; and
   • where applicable, obtain a remote dispenser installation permit.
9. In accordance with the Safety Standard General Regulation, prior to final approval of all installation permits and before regulated equipment is placed into service, the owner or operator of the site must obtain an appropriate operating permit.  

Revision, Modification or Alteration to Existing Facilities:

Changes to an existing site installation such as; container size or location, must be approved by all applicable authorities having jurisdiction.  

A new application for design registration must be submitted to, accepted by and registered with Technical Safety BC prior to the start of construction. An installation permit is also required before any alterations are made. The installer and owner(s) of the propane equipment must be able to demonstrate that any associated compliance is maintained. Learn more about design registration fuelling stations.

Like-for-like replacement of equipment during normal maintenance will not be construed as a modification of an installation, though permits are required where applicable (i.e., such as replacement of a dispenser).

Heavily Populated or Congested Areas:

These may include high rises, offices, hotels and below grade occupancies. It is any assessed area which has fifty (50) or more dwelling units intended for human occupancy, or an area occupied by more than three hundred (300) people as provided in the BC Building Code.  

A population density assessment that identifies a site as heavily populated or congested must be provided by:

• the fire department responsible for the area where the facility is to be located; or  
• a professional engineer registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia (Engineers and Geoscientists BC).

Occupant density is determined by the number of; dwelling units and normal population density load from Table 3.1.17.1 of the BC Building Code, based only on that portion of the building or population within 100 metres from any external surface of the proposed propane tank(s).

See Appendix A for an extract from the BC Building Code relating to occupancy load calculations.

Consideration for future development - When calculating occupancy load, consideration must be given to the development plans of the area. If a building permit has been issued for the area around a proposed installation, any future development must be taken into consideration in the design and assigned occupant load determination of the location.

It is the responsibility of the facility owner to re-evaluate changes to the surrounding population density. Revisions to the installation’s population density may necessitate modifications to the installation such that it continues to comply with required safety clearances and fire protection. If modifications cannot be carried out the propane container may have to be removed.

CSA B149.2 Filling Plant and Refill Centre Specifics

1. Locations determined to be heavily populated or congested require completion of a hazard-risk assessment and safety management plan sealed by a professional engineer registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Acceptance of the plan by the local government jurisdiction and fire department must be demonstrated through documentation at time of application for a Technical Safety BC design registration.  
2. Propane Filling or Bulk Plants must not be located in a heavily populated or congested area.
3. A propane tank that is used for dispensing, located in a heavily populated or congested area must be buried underground or vaulted underground. An application for installation of an underground tank must be included with the gas fuelling station design registration. Learn more about buried pressure vessels.

Other Agencies

Local governments, fire departments, and other applicable federal and provincial agencies may have approval or permit requirements for other aspects of propane dispensing facilities, such as; land use, overall site and non-dispensing equipment. Approval by Technical Safety BC does not constitute approval by any other agency. The applicant is responsible for identifying and complying with all applicable requirements from other agencies. Approval and verification documentation from all applicable agencies must be submitted to Technical Safety BC prior to acceptance of the design registration.

Provincial Safety Manager, Gas

References:  

Safety Standards Act

Gas Safety Regulation

Safety Standards General Regulation

CSA B149.2 Propane storage and handling code

CSA B149.1 Natural gas and propane installation code

BC Building Code  

Directive No: D-G5 051206 7.

Appendix A

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