BSR GPTC Z380.

1-2018 TR 2016-23-201x
Definition Utility Gas Plant
Page 1 of 2
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PRIMARY: 192.11

SECONDARY: GM Appendix G-192-11A-3, Table 1

RESPONSIBLE GROUP: Design Task Group

PURPOSE: Update Definition of Utility Gas Plant

ORIGIN/RATIONALE: Email Member 6/6/16

Guide material 192.11 Petroleum gas systems
1.2 Application of referenced codes.
(b) Plant and storage facilities. These facilities include storage tanks and all piping and equipment to the
outlet of the first pressure regulator. Utility plant facilities having a total water storage capacity greater
than 4,000 gallons are covered by NFPA 59. All other plant and storage installations should comply with
NFPA 58.
The above section needs changed. It was correct in 2001, but the definition of a “Utility Gas Plant” was
changed in the 2004 edition of NFPA 59. It would need to reflect the change in the section above.
Also, T&Q is going to submit a request for a formal interpretation from NFPA that should clarify that NFPA
59 systems must also have a vaporizer.
2004 NFPA
593.3.18* Utility Gas Plant. A plant that stores and vaporizes LP-Gas for distribution that supplies either
LP Gas or LP-Gas gas/air mixtures to a gas distribution system of 10 or more customers.
Also, in Table 1:
It would be clearer to put in the same UEL and LEL for propane and propane/air, than to refer to Note 2.
There should be a note that says “these values will vary due to the composition of the gas”

Section 192.11

1 GENERAL

1.1 Introduction.

1.2 Application of referenced codes.

(a) ...

(b) Plant and storage facilities. These facilities include storage tanks and all piping and
equipment to the outlet of the first pressure regulator. Utility Gas Plant. A plant that stores
and vaporizes liquefied petroleum gas (LP-Gas) for distribution that supplies either LP-
Gas or LP-Gas gas/air mixtures to a gas distribution system of 10 or more customers.
Utility plant facilities having a total water storage capacity greater than 4,000 gallons are
covered by NFPA 59. All other plant and storage installations should comply with NFPA
58.

GMA G-192-11A
 BSR GPTC Z380.1-2018 TR 2016-23-201x
Definition Utility Gas Plant
Page 2 of 2
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GAS LEAKAGE CONTROL GUIDELINES FOR PETROLEUM GAS SYSTEMS

3 DEFINITIONS (Applicable to Guide Material Appendix G-192-11A Only)

…
L.E.L. is the lower explosive limit of the gas being transported.
…
Tunnel is a subsurface passageway large enough for a person to enter and in which gas could
accumulate.
U.E.L. is the upper explosive limit of the gas being transported.

SIGNIFICANT PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF FOUR TYPICAL HYDROCARBON

GASES NORMALLY FOUND IN DISTRIBUTION AND PIPE LINE SYSTEMS
(See Note 1)
Natural Propane I Air
Gas Propane 40/60 Percent Butane
Formula Blend C3 H8 C3H8 I Air C4H10

Normal State @ atmospheric pressure Gas Gas Gas Gas

@60°F

Specific Gravity (Air = 1) 0.6 1.6 1.2 2.0

Flammability Limits
Lower Limit Percent Gas in Air 5 2 2 – 5 (See Note 2) 2
Upper Limit Percent Gas in Air 15 10 9 -16 (See Note 2) 9

Notes:
1 Other mixtures may have significantly different physical properties. Each operator should
evaluate the gas in his the distribution system and react accordingly.
2 The explosive limits refer to percent gas in air and are the same shown for propane.The LEL
and UEL must be calculated for each specific mixture/blend of propane/air/natural gas.
Depending on the composition of the natural gas and the percentage of air in the mixture,
values for LEL and UEL can vary within the ranges shown above.

TABLE 1