Basic Principles and Practices of Propane

MODULE 1 Introduction to Basic Principles and Practices of Propane

Welcome to Basic Principles and Practices of Propane We’re PERC—the Propane Education & Research Council. We developed this course in partnership with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and others as part of the industry’s commitment to promote the safe and efficient use of propane gas as a preferred energy resource. The propane industry is committed to providing the highest level of service and care to its customers, employees, and the entire propane community— including you. Safety is at the heart of our commitment, and high- quality training is an essential tool for ensuring your safety and continuing success. Enjoy the course!

LESSON 1 Course Overview and Objectives

Safety Mission Safety is an industry-wide responsibility that extends to anyone who handles propane. Your knowledge about dispensing, storing, and using propane greatly diminishes the risk of accidents. The propane industry is building its safety mission by continuing to increase public confidence about the safety and value of propane. To fully achieve its safety mission, the propane industry has established the following five critical goals: Reduce accidents and incidents Improve safety awareness Increase consumer confidence Strengthen the skills and knowledge of propane employees Improve regulatory compliance

Who Should Take This Course? Since safety and reliability are everyone’s business, employees throughout the propane industry will find this training useful – maybe even life saving. This course is designed to train various types of propane employees including: Field personnel and delivery drivers Customer relations and office personnel Installation and service personnel Sales personnel Plant personnel

Who Should Take This Course? The information, learning activities, and quizzes which follow are geared toward helping field personnel handle propane. However, this information certainly provides all personnel in the propane industry with a basic overview of key concepts and safety strategies for working with propane.

Course Purpose and Objectives Purpose This course has been developed to provide you with the basic principles and practices of working with propane to ensure your safety and help you provide quality service to your customers and community. Basic Principles and Practices of Propane is a prerequisite to the more advanced CETP classes and is designed to be both a learning resource and a career development tool. Additionally, this course will help prepare you for NPGA’s CETP certification. Talk with your supervisor to learn about which certification program your company offers or visit the NPGA website http://www.npga.org to learn more about CETP certification. MORE

Course Purpose and Objectives cont. After completing this course, you will be able to: State the advantages of using propane Describe propane customer applications and strategies for quality customer relations Identify sources, physical properties, and effects of pressure and temperature on propane Verify characteristics and purposes of odorants also called gas warning agents List strategies to identify and respond to service interruptions Identify complete and incomplete combustion characteristics Identify which propane industry standards, codes, and regulations correspond to job-related tasks Recognize and use appropriate personal protective equipment, practices, and procedures Describe features of bulk plants, DOT/ICC cylinders, and other propane equipment and systems

Course Format Basic Principles and Practices of Propane is divided into eight modules, each containing several lessons. Each module includes: Current and accurate information, procedures, and regulations Learning activities to apply your knowledge One question check for understandings End-of-module quiz

Course Resources and References: Codes The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), and other agencies of the federal government are a few organizations that play major roles in developing regulations, codes, and standards to ensure the safe transportation, storage, handling, and use of propane. Each of these organizations develops regulations, codes, or standards referenced throughout the course including: NFPA 58, LP-Gas Code  Code of Federal Regulations Always check with your supervisor to determine all of the safety codes that apply to your daily job responsibilities.

Course Resources and References: Handbooks Both NFPA 54 and NFPA 58 have accompanying code handbooks. NFPA created these handbooks to provide relevance and interpretation to ever-changing codes. The handbooks provide commentary that brings the legalistic language of the code to life. Company managers, supervisors, and employees may use the handbooks to apply the requirements of the code on the job. MORE

Course Resources and References: Handbooks cont. The references to NFPA 54 and NFPA 58, and other codes and standards referenced, are included in this training to: Increase your awareness of these important resources Provide a general introduction to how the codes and standards govern your work Provide sample codes and standards related to concepts presented in the training Provide background so you’ll better understand your supervisor’s decision making processes Familiarize you with a general use of the code as you may use it as a resource during your certification test

Propane Advantages Propane is considered one of the world’s most convenient and versatile fuels. It’s the choice of energy-conscious consumers for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural uses. Propane is a clean, efficient, and reliable fuel. Clean burning High performing Cost effective Available anywhere Affordable and produced in the U.S. Interchangeable with natural gas Technology exists to produce propane Tanks are safe and versatile