Operation of automotive gas filling stations. Special requirements for AGZS.
On June 1, 2023, the Resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated December 5, 2022, No. 66 "On Approval of the Industrial Safety Rules in the Field of Gas Supply" came into force.
During the comprehensive revision of these Rules, an analysis of the legislation of the Republic of Belarus in the field of industrial safety, architectural, town-planning and construction activities, labor protection and healthcare, licensing, and the implementation of administrative procedures for economic entities was carried out. The requirements of the Rules have been brought into compliance with the requirements of regulatory drafting techniques, and the references to regulatory legal acts and technical regulatory legal acts used in the Rules have been updated.
Among other things, a chapter "Special Requirements for Automotive Gas Filling Stations" was introduced into the Rules. We will focus on the requirements of this chapter in more detail.
What is an automotive gas filling station? According to the definition, an automotive gas filling station (AGFS) is a stationary automotive filling station whose technological system is designed for filling fuel system cylinders of motor vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as domestic cylinders.
Paragraph 683 of the Rules establishes that the refueling of vehicles at an AGFS can be carried out remotely from a control panel in the operator's room. It follows from this that the connection of the filling nozzle to the vehicle, the control of the technological equipment, and the control of the refueling process itself are carried out directly by the driver, while the operator only controls the process of starting or stopping the supply of liquefied petroleum gas to the dispensing unit.
The process of refueling motor vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas is a high-risk operation, during which various situations that pose a danger to human life and health may arise. To avoid these situations, we recommend using the following procedure for remote refueling of vehicles.
Persons who have a marking on the automotive gas cylinder from the organization that carried out the inspection, or one of the following documents, are allowed to refuel remotely:
- a valid document confirming the inspection of the automotive gas cylinder;
- document for vehicle conversion to LPG operation or for leak and safety compliance testing.
Placement of the vehicle on the LPG filling station premises for subsequent refueling is permitted only upon presentation of the specified documents.
After parking the vehicle, the driver must perform the following actions:
turn off the engine;
remove the key from the ignition;
secure the vehicle in a stationary position using the parking brake, and if necessary, take additional measures to prevent spontaneous movement of the vehicle by installing chocks;
open the hood and trunk (if the gas cylinder is located in the trunk);
identify the vehicle to the filling station operator.
After receiving permission (identification) to connect the refueling nozzle, it is recommended to follow this sequence of actions:
put on gloves that provide protection against LPG exposure;
connect the grounding cable to the vehicle (the cable is located at the LPG dispenser);
connect the refueling nozzle (use adapters if necessary);
visually confirm the absence of LPG leaks at the connection point;
switch the LPG dispenser to the "on" position;
move to the designated waiting area on the LPG filling station premises to await the completion of refueling.
Upon completion of the vehicle refueling process, it is necessary to:
close the refueling valve on the vehicle's cylinder;
switch the LPG dispenser to the "off" position;
disconnect the refueling nozzle and grounding cable from the vehicle and return them to their designated storage locations;
visually confirm the absence of LPG leaks, close the hood and trunk.
Compliance by vehicle owners with the Industrial Safety Rules and the above recommendations will help prevent harm to the life and health of the population, the environment, and property. It will also reduce the risk of accidents, incidents, and injuries associated with the operation of supervised equipment.
Vitebsk Regional Directorate of the State Industrial Supervision.