LP - Gas

Safety

Reference Handout
August 27, 2013

Fernando S. Guevara pme, pe

 Fuel Gas Safety

1.0 Fuel Gas Basics explosion. The ideal mixture for

combustion of natural gas is
Natural Gas approximately 10% and the ignition
Natural gas is a fossil fuel extracted point is 1208° F.
from deep underground wells. It is a
physical mixture of various gases, Propane Gas
typically containing 85 to 95% methane, Propane is a gas derived from natural
7 to 12% ethane and small amounts of gas and petroleum. It is found mixed
propane, butane, nitrogen, and carbon with natural gas and petroleum deposits.
dioxide. The proportions vary from field Propane is called a fossil fuel because it
to field and sometimes from well to well. was formed millions of years ago from
Natural gas is odorless and colorless the remains of tiny sea animals and
when it comes from the wellhead. As a plants. When the plants and animals
safety measure, an odorant is added so died, they sank to the bottom of the
gas leaks can be detected. Commonly oceans and were buried by layers of
known as mercaptans, the odorant is a sediment and sand that turned into rock.
blend of organic chemicals containing Over time, the layers became thousands
sulfur. The odor of the mercaptans can of feet thick. The layers were subjected
be detected long before there is to enormous heat and pressure,
sufficient gas to cause a fire, explosion changing the energy-rich remains into
or asphyxiation. Unlike propane, natural petroleum and natural gas deposits.
gas is lighter than air. Natural gas Eventually, pockets of these fossil fuels
typically has a specific gravity of 0.6, became trapped in rocks, much as a wet
meaning that it weighs about 0.6 times sponge holds water. Propane is one of
as much as air. The term specific gravity the many fossil fuels included in the
refers to the weight of the gas as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) family.
compared to the weight of air. Not all Because propane is the type of LPG
mixtures of gas and air will burn. Some most commonly used in the United
mixtures have too little gas, while others States, propane and LPG are often used
have so much gas there is not enough synonymously. Butane is another LPG
air left to burn. The two cutoff points often used in lighters. The chemical
between combustible mixtures and non formula for propane is C3H8
combustible mixtures are called the
Just as water can change its physical
Explosive Limits.
state and become a liquid or a gas
• The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) for
(steam vapor), so can propane. Under
natural gas is approximately 5%. At
normal atmospheric pressure and
concentrations below the LEL, there is
temperature, propane is a gas. Under
insufficient gas to cause a fire or
moderate pressure and/or lower
explosion.
temperatures, however, propane
• The Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) for
changes into a liquid. Propane is easily
natural gas is approximately 15%. At
stored as a liquid in pressurized tanks.
concentrations above the UEL, there is
insufficient air to cause a fire or

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 1

Propane takes up much less space in its hydrocarbon gases. The ability to liquefy
liquid form. It is 270 times more compact under modest pressure distinguishes
in its liquid state than it is as a gas. One butane from natural gas. When
(1) thousand gallon tank holding liquefied, the volume occupied
gaseous propane would provide a family significantly reduces, making it easy to
enough cooking fuel for one week. A store and transport in specially
thousand gallon tank holding liquid constructed pressure vessels.
propane would provide enough cooking
fuel for more than five years! When An expansion ratio of approximately
propane vapor (gas) is drawn from a 233:1 from its vapour to liquid state
tank, some of the liquid in the tank means one volume of liquid butane
instantly vaporizes to replace the vapor produces 233 volumes of gas. Butane
that was removed. Propane is vapour is around 2.08 times denser than
nicknamed the portable gas because it air, meaning it sinks to a low level when
is easier to store and transport than released in the atmosphere. For this
natural gas, which requires pipelines. reason, butane cylinders cannot be
Like natural gas, propane is colorless stored below ground or near drains and
and odorless. An odorant called cellar openings. Butane-fuelled
mercaptan is added to propane (as it is appliances must not be used within
to natural gas) to serve as a warning cellars or basements.
agent for escaping gas. And, like all
fossil fuels, propane is a nonrenewable Butane mixed with correct proportions of
energy source. We can’t make more air produces a highly flammable mixture,
propane in a short period of time. with flammability range of between 1.8%
and 9.5%, by volume of gas in air.
Butane Gas Outside this range the mixture is either
Butane is a saturated hydrocarbon gas too lean or rich to propagate a flame.
with the chemical formula C4H10. It is
an alkane with four carbon atoms. The Calorific Value (CV) of a fuel
Butane is a gas at room temperature mixture is the amount of energy
and atmospheric pressure but is easily released when a known fuel quantity
turned into a liquid by cooling or undergoes combustion. Butane has a
applying moderate pressure. Butane is CV of 126MJ/m3 whereas natural gas
a safe, efficient and clean fuel that has a CV of 38MJ/m3, giving it a far
powers many standard mobile greater heat energy release per unit
heating appliances. A far higher boiling volume, as well as a difference in air
point than propane makes butane only requirement and other combustion
suitable for outdoor use during milder characteristics.
months. as low winter temperatures may
mean the liquid will not boil to produce Butane-fuelled appliances must
vapour to burn. therefore have adequate means of
ventilation, to ensure complete fuel
Butane, is a saturated hydrocarbon gas combustion. Regular servicing by
with the chemical formula C4H10, suitably qualified and competent
belongs to the Alkanes (previously individuals will ensure these
known as Paraffin’s) family of

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 2

requirements are met and appliances LPG is liquid inside the container but
perform correctly and safely. immediately transforms to gaseous state
when released. It is liquefied so that it
Butane is less volatile than propane. A can be stored economically and
boiling point of approximately -0.5ºC and transported easily. A gallon of liquid of
a vapour pressure of around 2 bar / 30 LPG in a container will need a truck 270
psi (at 15ºC) makes it more suitable times bigger if stored in vapor form.
than propane for appliances where LPG
cylinders may be used indoors. Like any other liquid, LPG expands and
contracts with changes in
Butane is a colorless and odorless gas. temperature. A gallon of LPG expands
For safety reasons a stenching agent of at 10°F. This is why LPG containers are
mercaptans (mainly ethyl mercaptan) never filled to their full capacity to give
and organic sulphides is added to allowance for expansion of liquid.
butane to ensure leakages are easily
detected by the distinctive and LPG is non-toxic or non-
unpleasant smell. poisonous. However, because it is
heavier than air in vapor form, it pushes
Most butane cylinders are blue. out air inside the room causing a
However the butane cylinders from BP shortage of oxygen and this might
Gas, Flogas, Handy Gas & MacGas suffocate any person in that room.
which use the 21mm butane regulator
(CG4) are usually a beige/grey/gold LPG is colorless, tasteless, and
colour whereas the butane bottles from odorless, but an odorizing agent called
these same suppliers which use the Ethyl Mercaptan is added to give a
20mm butane regulator (CG5) are blue. peculiar smell so that any leak can be
All Calor Gas butane bottles are blue easily detected.
and only use the CG4 regulator apart
from the 4.5kg bottle which uses CG3. LPG dissolves natural rubber. Thus, it is
important that all materials used in LPG
LPG installations must be LPG resistant.
LPG in air will ignite if it is within its
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is the flammability limit. The flammability limit
generic name for commercial propane is within 2% to 9% mix with air.
and butane. They are by-products of
the refining of oil and natural gas with If the released gas is not properly
approximately 40% of all LPG coming dissipated, it will readily ignite upon
from the refining of crude oil and 60% contact with sparks, open flames, or any
from the separation of gas products. It other sources of ignition. The fire,
can be stored in gas cylinders/gas however, may not be so serious unless
bottles or in bulk storage containers the gas is confined. In that case, an
either above or below the ground. The explosion may occur, the intensity of
pressurized cylinders are supplied up to which will depend upon the degree of
about 80% full to allow for thermal commitment.
expansion.

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 In open air, flaming LPG vapor will LPG in the Philippine the gas used
travel at about 15 feet per second locally is Butane.
depending on the atmospheric
conditions and the concentration of the Propane is used dominantly in cold
gas. There will be spots where there is climates because of its low temperature
not enough air and the travel will be boiling point. Butane has a higher
retarded until air is in correct proportion.
boiling point temperature and is use in
Heating value is the amount of heat countries like the Philippines. In cold
given off during combustion. The countries Butane does not produce
heating value of LPG is 46,800 BTU/kg. flame except during summer or mild hot
weather.
Fuel (LPG) and air must be mixed in the
right proportion in order to burn. LPG
has a flammability limit from two percent
to nine percent (2% - 9%). This means
that the mixture of LPG must contain no
less than two percent LPG and not more
than nine percent in order to burn.

The boiling point of a liquid is the

temperature at which boiling occurs
when the pressure above the liquid is
atmospheric or 14.7 psig. The boiling
point of LPG is 10°F or -12°C. In other countries Propane cylinders are
colour red.

Most LPG cylinders and tanks in the

Philippines are color blue which is the
standard color for Butane cylinders in 2.0 Fuel Gas Piping
other countries.

Standards

The minimum fuel gas piping standard

protection for public safety is based on
the following Code and Standards:

• Philippine Mechanical Engineering

Code 2012 Chapter 18 Fuel Gas
Piping
• Philippine Mechanical Engineering
We can then say based on the similarity Code 2012 Chapter 7 Air Ventilation
of gas characteristics of Butane and for Combustion
• NFPA 54 Fuel Gas Code

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 4

The Standards cover from the point of
LPG gas delivery to the point of
connection to the gas utilization
equipment. This means that the gas
meter is included in the scope of
standard requirement. It shall not apply
to those listed in Section 1801.0 (C).

Gas Meter

Gas Meters should be located in

accordance with the requirement of
Section 1809.1 Location.

(A) Gas meters shall be located in ventilated

spaces readily accessible for examination,
reading, replacement, or necessary
maintenance. [NFPA 54: 5.7.2.1]
(B) Gas meters shall not be placed where
they will be subjected to damage, such as
adjacent to a driveway; under a fire escape;
in public passages, halls, or coal bins; or
where they will be subject to excessive
corrosion or vibration. [NFPA 54: 5.7.2.2]
(C) Gas meters shall be located at least 3
feet (0.9 m) from sources of ignition. [NFPA
54:5.7.2.3]
(D) Gas meters shall not be located where
they will be subjected to extreme
temperatures or sudden extreme changes in
temperature. Meters shall not be located in
areas where they are subjected to
temperatures beyond those recommended by
the manufacturer.[NFPA 54: 5.7.2.3]

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 5

 Figure 1.0 separated by a wall from the inside part
of the building.

LPG meters should not be located in

public passage way or along the
corridors used as fire exit or egress.
LPG meters should not be located along
the driveways, places where it is
exposed to high temperature and
corrosive environment.

LPG meters should comply with

Sections 1809.6.2, 1809.6.3 and
Figure 2.0 1809.6.4. LPG meters should be
supported, with protection against
overpressure, back-pressure and
vacuum pressure. Shown in Figure 4.0
is a typical LPG meters installed in an
aboveground basement of a residential
building.

Figure 3.0

Figures 1.0, Figure 2.0 and Figure 3.0

shows where the gas meters should be
located in compliance with outside the
building in compliance to Section 1809.1
(A). The reason for this is that LPG is
heavier than air and any leak in the gas
system, LPG would seek the lowest Figure 4.0
level where it can increase the
flammability ratio to an explosive Gas Piping
situation. Unlike natural gas, having a In Sections 1802.0 and 1811.5 of the
lighter density than air would flow PME Code the maximum design
upwards. With this characteristic LPG operating pressure for gas piping
meters should not be located in the system shall not exceed 5 pounds per
basement. For LPG in 11 kilogram square inch (34kPa) within the property
cylinders it should be located in a lines of any building or structure..
naturally ventilated location and

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 6

 at the top. The openings shall have a
minimum free area (in square inches) equal
to the product of one-half of the maximum
pressure in the piping (in psi) times the
largest nominal diameter of that piping (in
inches), or the cross-sectional area of the
chase, whichever is smaller. Where more
than one fuel gas piping system is present,
the free area for each system shall be
Figure 5.0 calculated and the largest area used. [NFPA
54: 7.4.3]
In Section 1811.5.3 it states : A chase
shall be ventilated to the outdoors and only

Figure 6.0

As shown in Figure 6.0 is an example of Provision for vent to the outside is also
gas pipe chase for LPG specifically provided at the bottom of the chase.
Butane which is heavier than air.

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 7

 Figure 7.0

Another type of gas pipe installation is

shown in Figure 7.0. The pipe is located
at the exterior of the building walls.

Figure 8.0

Another way to install gas pipes on

chases is shown in Figure 9.0 where
each floor are closed with concrete slab
and is provided with vents on top and
bottom of the floor. The vents should be
fireproof.

In Figure 10 the gas pipe are provided

with chase at the exterior wall and is
provided with decorative grilles allowing
the pipes to be provided with natural
ventilation.

Figure 7A

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 8

 Figure 9.0

Pipe exposed to elements that will wrapping with an inert material approved
cause corrosion to the pipes should for such applications. Where piping is
comply with Section 1811.2 encased in a protective pipe sleeve, the
annular space between the gas piping and
Piping installed aboveground shall be the sleeve shall be sealed at the wall to
securely supported and located where it will prevent the entry of water, insects, or
be protected from physical damage (also rodents. [NFPA 54: 7.2.1]
see1211.1.4). Where passing through an
outside wall, the piping shall also be
protected against corrosion by coating or

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 9

 Figure 10.0

If an external riser is to be hidden within outside air. Openings to the outside air
an enclosure in the outer fabric of the should be provided at the top and
building, it should be itself sealed from bottom of the riser (additional ventilation
entry to the building and open to the openings can be provided at
intermediary positions if desired). The
Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 10
minimum free area of each opening Where gas piping is to be concealed, unions,
must be 5,000mm2 or 1/500th the cross tubing fittings, right and left couplings,
sectional area of the enclosure, which bushings, swing joints, and compression
ever is greater. couplings made by combinations of fittings
All pipings in concealed building spaces shall not be used.
should comply with Section 1811.3
.

Figure 11.0

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 In Figure 14 the Shut-off valve should
indicate the direction of the lever on an
On-position and on an Off-position.

Figure 14.0

In multiple Gas Meter installation an

Figure 12.0
area Shut-off Valve should be installed
Protective Devices upstream of the Gas Meters as shown
In Figure 15.0. This is in compliance
Gas Valves with Section 1811.10.2 (A) and (B)
Gas valve should be install upstream of (A) Accessibility of Gas Valves. Main gas
the gas meter as shown in Figure 13. shutoff valves controlling several gas
piping systems shall be readily
accessible for operation and installed so
as to be protected from physical
damage. They shall be marked with a
metal tag or other permanent means
attached by the installing agency so that
the gas piping systems supplied through
them can be readily identified.[NFPA
54: 7.9.2.1]
(B) Shutoff Valves for Multiple House
Lines.
In multiple-tenant buildings supplied
through a master meter, or through one
service regulator where a meter is not
provided, or where meters or service
regulators are not readily accessible
from the equipment location, an
Figure 13.0 individual shutoff valve for each
apartment or tenant line shall be
provided at a convenient point of
general accessibility.

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 12

 be installed at each building. [NFPA
In a common system serving a number of 54:7.9.2.2]
individual buildings, shutoff valves shall

Figure 15.0

An emergency isolation valve should be Seismic Valves or earthquake actuated

installed located outside the building to valves should be installed in accordance
comply with Section 1811.10.3. with Section 1811.18.

An exterior shutoff valve to permit turning

off the gas supply to each building in an
emergency shall be provided. The
emergency shutoff valves shall be plainly
marked as such and their locations posted
as required by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction. [NFPA 54: 7.9.2.3]

Earthquake Actuated Valves

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 Figure 16.0

Earthquake actuated gas shutoff valves,

conforming to California Referenced Figure 18.0
Standard 12161, shall be provided for
buildings. Earthquake actuated gas shutoff Gas Pressure Regulators
valves which does not conform with Gas Pressure Regulator should be
California Referenced Standard 12161 installed in gas piping line system where
shall be prohibited in buildings open to the the gas pressure supply is higher than
public. the designed pressure of gas utilization
equipment. It is in compliance with the
requirements of Section 1802.0 and
1809.7.

Gas Pressure Regulator when installed

should be provided by a venting piping
system to the outside of the building.
This is in compliance to Section
1809.7.5. Vents leading to the outdoor
should prevent water from entering the
piping system and also should prevent
blockage of insects and foreign matter.
Figure 17.0
Shut-off Valves should be installed
In Figure 17.0 delineates the gas piping within 6 feet of the gas utilization
system between the gas company and equipment in order to comply with
the customer. Section 1812.4.

Connecting the gas utilization

equipment to the gas piping system
should comply with Section 1812.0

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 14

Provide end caps for all gas piping consequences of post-earthquake fire. The
outlets that are not in use to comply with combination of fire ignitions with conditions
Section 1811.8.2 amenable to rapid fire growth and spread
can greatly increase the level of post-
earthquake fire damage. –Improving
Natural Gas Safety in Earthquakes Report
Adopted July 11, 2002 California Seismic
Commission

On January 17, 1994, at 4:31 AM, the

Northridge, California, earthquake had a
moment magnitude of 6.7. The epicenter was
Figure 19.0 located in the city of Reseda, near the center
of the San Fernando Valley. Data on MMI
Excess Flow Valves shaking intensity were recorded by local
postmasters and processed by the US
Excess Flow Valve shown in Figure 19.0 Geological Survey. The earthquake resulted
when use should be listed and approved in the total loss of electric power to the City
by the Approving Agency in California. of Los Angeles and adjacent areas.
[Section 1810.0] The Northridge earthquake is the only
earthquake in the United States for which
Air Ventilation for Combustion adequate detailed data exists on fire
ignitions, building damage, and appliance
Gas utilization equipments requires damage.
outside air for efficient combustion of As reported The City of Los Angeles, this
gas fuel, ventilation and dilution of air. In includes the San Fernando Valley, sustained
77 of the 110 earthquake-related fire
order to meet this requirement the
ignitions on the day of the earthquake. Fifty-
building should comply with Sections five of these occurred in residential
701.2 through Section 701.8.3 of the structures: 35 in one- or two-family
Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code residences and 20 in multi-family
(PME Code). residences. A total of eight fire ignitions
occurred in schools, offices, or commercial
Earthquakes properties. Preliminary statistics on fire
ignition response by the Los Angeles Fire
The Philippines and California shares a Department indicate that 13 fire ignitions
common earthquake zone being both had a natural gas appliance as the source of
located at what we call the “Pacific Ring heat ignition. The Los Angeles Fire
Department conducted a separate
of Fire”. Most of this lecture is based on
investigation within a few months following
the experiences of California during the Northridge earthquake, and identified 38
earthquakes as reported by the incidents where natural gas may have
California Seismic Commission.. contributed to the fire ignition. Of these, 27
were in single- or multi-family residences
The fires following the 1906 San Francisco and 22 involved gas appliances with water
earthquake are a constant reminder to
California communities of the potential

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 15

heater damage, accounting for 16 fire rate of occurrence of a gas related fire
ignitions. ignition was approximately 10% of the rate
With 225,000 wood-frame structures of occurrence of sustaining significant
exposed to ground shaking of MMI VIII or structural damage.
greater (OES/EQE, 1995) and assuming that
50% to 90% of these structures had natural In the Loma Prieta Earthquake in San
gas service, the average rate of occurrence Francisco that occurred in October 17,
of gas related fire ignition for any individual 1989 with a moment magnitude of 7.2
structure in the Northridge earthquake is about 34% of the fire was cause by
estimated to have been 0.024% to 0.044%, natural gas while 56% are electrical
or roughly 1 to 2 chances in 4,500. Thus, the related.

Table 1.0

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 16

 Table 2.0

In the report’s summary it found thru earthquake fire ignitions. While an

experience that (Refer to Table 1.0) earthquake may produce numerous leaks in
“…gas-related fire ignitions can be the customer’s gas system, the potential for
expected to be 20% to 50% of all post-
Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 17
fire ignition from natural gas will be low • Earthquake Actuated Valve
compared to the number of leaks”.
• Excess Flow Valves
In Table 2.0 are listings of Valves and • LPG (Butane) Detectors
Alarm Devices That Assist in Limiting
Natural Gas to Customer Facilities. Namely:
• Hybrid Systems

• Manual Shut-Off Valve

Table 3.0

Table 3.0 shows the comparison used in the delivery of gas to any customer
between alternatives to improve safety up to and including the point of delivery to
during earthquakes. the customers’ gas piping system. Utilities
meet this responsibility through compliance
In the report there are five (5) proposed with existing regulations, coordinating their
recommendations. Four (4) are related emergency planning with local governments,
and incorporating earthquake-resistant
to policy recommendations and one (1)
design considerations into their
is related to valves. The report maintenance activities and new
recommends the strict implementation construction.
of installing earthquake actuated valves
and excess flow valves. Customer
Customers are responsible for using gas
Roles of the Communities to Insure safely on their property and within their
Gas Safety: buildings and other facilities. Customers
meet this responsibility by maintaining their
LPG Gas Utility gas appliances in good working condition,
The natural gas utility is responsible for assuring that only qualified individuals are
designing, constructing, maintaining, and engaged to modify or maintain their gas
operating the natural gas system safely and service and facility piping, and knowing
efficiently. This includes all the facilities what to do before and after earthquakes to

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 18

maintain the safe operation of their LPG gas
service.

Local Governments
City and county governments are typically
responsible for ensuring the overall safety of
their communities. Local governments
assess safety needs, identify potential risks
to meeting those needs, and determine
alternatives to reduce the risks. Alternatives
often include local guidelines and
ordinances to assure safe construction and
practices. Other equally important
alternatives may focus on reducing the
impacts of earthquakes or other
emergencies through rapid response and
recovery measures that are often About The Author
coordinated with the private sector,
industry, and other government agencies. Fernando S. Guevara is the President of
Local authorities also have a responsibility Fernando Guevara and Partners, Inc. He is the
to consider the impacts of earthquakes in Past President of the American Society of
urban planning decisions related to building Heating, Refrigerating Air Conditioning
construction methods and materials, Engineers (ASHRAE) Philippine Chapter ( 2012
building density, capacity of fire protection to 2013), Technical Committee Chairman of the
services, and traffic management. Finally, Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, Inc.
local governments are responsible for (PSME) and the Philippine Society of Ventilating
informing their communities of potential Air Conditioning Refrigerating Engineers
(PSVARE). He is a licensed Professional
earthquake risks and actions the local
Mechanical Engineer and Professional Engineer
population is expected to follow to reduce or
of California and Minnesota. (July, 2012)
manage those risks.
e-mail: fernando@gpiengineers.com

References:

1. Philippine Mechanical Engineering

Code 2012
2. National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) 54
3. Board Gas Network
4. California Seismic Commission

Fuel Gas Piping Seminar 20 August 2013 Page 19

 Appendix 1

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 Appendix 2

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