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Industry Standard Update 104: Liquid Gas UK CoP 1 Part 2: 2021

Date issued: 20 April 2021

This article appears in full in the June 2021 edition of Registered Gas Engineer.

This Industry Standard Update (ISU) provides an overview of the key areas of change arising from the revision of Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 1 Part 2: 2021 – Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations: Vapour Off-take Small Bulk Propane Installations.

Introduction

During February 2021, Liquid Gas UK published a revised Code of Practice 1 Part 2: 2021 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations: Vapour Off-take Small Bulk Propane Installations(1). This supersedes the previous edition, which had been published in May 2012. The revision to this standard came into effect in February 2021.

To allow registered businesses time to carry out internal update training to reflect the technical requirements of the amended standard, Gas Safe Register will inspect to the new requirements of this standard from 1 August 2021. However, this should not restrict businesses from applying the specification sooner. The following is a brief overview of the areas of significant change to the amended standard, Liquid Gas UK CoP 1 Part 2.

General

Legislation, normative references and current standards have been updated throughout where necessary.

Section 1: Introduction, scope, and references

The scope of the Code of Practice has altered to reduce the size of vessel covered in multi-vessel installations from 3 vessels at 2.2 tonnes each, to 3 vessels at 2 tonnes each. The installation of larger vessels must still meet the requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR)(2), but these should meet the requirements of LGUK CoP 1 Part 1 and Part 4(3) as appropriate. The types of installation that are not covered by this standard are also now listed in greater detail.

Section 2: Vessel location and separation distances

The distances in Tables 1 and 2 have changed, now listing the minimum distance from a vessel to buildings, boundaries, or fixed ignition sources as both with and without a fire wall. The minimum distance for a vessel less than 0.25 tonnes has also been brought in alignment with a larger vessel, so that now the minimum distance is now 3 metres regardless of vessel size, reduced to 1.5 metres if a fire wall is present. For buried vessels, these distances are to the valve assembly, the distance to vessel surface remaining at 1 metre.

The addition of a 1 metre distance between vessels has been added to Tables 1 and 2. Clause 2.6.1.2 now clearly states that the site owner/operator of commercial installations has duties regarding records for the parts of the system they own. Further guidance on this can be found in Code of Practice 1 Part 3 and Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheet CGS025.


Section 3: Design

The main differences in the updated CoP can be found in this section, with the requirements for buried vessels being clarified. 3.1.2 now states that a buried or mounded vessel within scope shall:

  • Have no flanged connections on the vessel, apart from a float gauge joint that is fitted with an anti-blowout-type seal
  • Have valves and fittings of the same or similar type and size used on a 1 tonne buried vessel
  • Not be in liquid service
  • Have natural vaporisation
  • Multiple vessels shall only be manifolded together at the vapour phase.

When encountering existing underground metallic pipework, 3.2.1.3 advises that Liquid Gas Member Guidance Sheet MGS 033 contains relevant information on assessing the risks involved. Part of MGS 033 is reproduced in Appendix G.

Appendices

The appendices have changed, with new appendices added, and existing ones being added to:

  • Appendix A: Safe handling and properties of LPG
  • Appendix B: Safety data sheets
  • Appendix C: Legal requirements
  • Appendix D: Standard and references
  • Appendix E: Definitions
  • Appendix F: Examples of installations and equipment
  • Appendix G: Extract from Liquid Gas UK Members Guidance Sheet MGC 33.

Summary

As previously stated, this Industry Standard Update is only a brief overview of the information contained in the amended standard. Registered businesses should be aware that they have a responsibility to ensure that they are fully apprised of all the requirements of the whole published standard and its practical application.

Bibliography
1. Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 1 Part 2: 2021 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations: Vapour Off-take Small Bulk Propane Installations.
2. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
3. Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 1 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations Part 1: 2017 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations, Design, Installation and Operation of Vessels Located Above Ground
4. Liquid Gas UK Code of Practice 1 Part 4: 2021 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations, Buried/Mounded LPG Storage Vessels