NFPA 58 2011 edition, Section 6.9.3.16

In the 2011 edition of NFPA 58 a new rule (6.9.3.16) requires underground metallic piping, tubing, or both that convey LP-Gas from a gas storage container shall require dielectric fittings at the building to electrically isolate it from the aboveground portion of the fixed piping system that enters the building.  The dielectric fittings shall be installed above ground and outdoors.

The perfect solution to meeting this regulation and providing a conveniently located positive shut-off valve for homeowners is the use of Jomar ball valves that incorporate a DIELECTRIC UNION. 

The Jomar di-electric ball valve is a 1/4-turn, hot forged brass, 2-piece design, standard port, with dielectric union, appliance type gas ball valve and is 100% tested.

Features:  

• Reversible tamper-proof, lockable handle
• Pressure rating: 600 WOG / 150 WSP
• Temp range: -40°F to 300°F
• Double VitonŽ O-ring stem design 

The most popular style is the Male end by Female end di-electric ball valve.  This allows you to install the di-electric union directly into the second stage regulator, making it convenient to access, install, and comply with the regulation.

GEC sells standard dielectric unions and Jomar di-electric union ball valves for meeting this regulation and for use to isolate underground tanks from metallic underground piping. 

Gas Equipment Company is pleased to announce an updated AUTOGAS Catalog with a general listing of our current Autogas dispensers and high differential pressure (HDP) pump offerings.

CLICK HERE to View the GEC Autogas Catalog

The example is comprised of a P4-100 electronic dispenser (capable of interfacing with a FMS) includes automatic temperature compensation, a single Autogas hose kit and a receipt printer for printing on-site receipts, mounted on a mini-skid base that has a Blackmer LGL156A Autogas HDP pump/motor/bypass installed and pre-piped on a mini-skid base.  Additional components include a tank-to-pump plumbing kit, a set of tank legs, and a set of 3" square tube sections (DUST) to connect all the components of the Modular Skid Assembly. This same package can be designed with a Corken or Blackmer pump and can be specified for either single-phase or three phase electrical service.

To start designing an Autogas dispensing system for a customer quote, you should first visit the customer-site location and conduct a survey. You will need to find out what kind of electrical service (voltage & phase) is available at the site, the location of various exposures and utilities, what the customer's needs are, and if they want to interface the new fuel dispenser to any existing fuel management systems.

From that customer-site survey you should learn what equipment you will need; now, let's take a moment to see how the catalog is laid out.

• The catalog is comprised of 16 product pages, 3 pages with full package offerings, and an example scenario page.
• You will want to start on page 2 of the guide when designing a system to quote to a customer.
• One of the first steps is to decide if you will be quoting an electronic dispenser or a mechanical dispenser. You will notice the first 3 sections on page 2 of the catalog are grouped with our two electronic dispenser product lines, Parafour Innovations and Clean Fueling Technologies; with the third section being the GEC fabricated mechanical dispenser products.  The Parafour section also offers its own integrated FMS fuel management system. 
• If your customer wants only an economical mechanical dispenser GEC offers 3 standard cabinet-style models and one open-air (no cabinet) model listed in the GEC Mechanical Dispenser section with options for either Blackmer or Corken pumps with single-phase or three-phase motors.  
• The cabinet styles are:
• DCS50DP: A small single door, aluminum diamond plate cabinet with a base that will mate up with our standard TL36 tank legs to build a modular assembly. Dimensions are listed with the photos in the catalog on the page number that is referenced in this section.
• DCS59GAL: A galvanized two-section vertical cabinet with a base that also mates up to the standard TL36 tank legs to build a modular assembly.
• DCL51DP: A large aluminum diamond plate cabinet with room to hold a 1,000 pound beam scale with the HDP pump and meter assembly and incorporates a base (that can be turned in three directions) that will mate up with our standard TL36 tank legs to build a modular assembly.
• The SBU.HD series units are designed to help you retrofit an existing installed cylinder cabinet to a HDP pump application for Autogas. It consists of the slide-base, pump/motor, and bypass valve.
• The MFDU.HD series units are a pre-plumbed package with base, HDP pump/motor, bypass valve, and meter; with no cabinet.
• Upon the decision of a dispenser style and pump/motor choice, the next step is to select the proper Tank-To-Pump plumbing kit for your pump inlet size. Those options are listed in section four on page 3.
• And the final section on page 3 lists various Options & Accessories such as electrical control panels for the GEC dispensers, optional pulsar for interfacing a mechanical dispenser register to a fuel management system (FMS), hose retractors, replacement tank filler valves to allow pump-to-tank bypass connections to the vapor space, Blue Moon filters, and other optional components.

In completing the review of the catalog, each section of the equipment design tables and part number line item has a page reference in the far right-hand column to allow you to view an image or example of the component/assembly with additional information.  The layout follows the Page 2 & 3 equipment design table order. Parafour equipment is shown on pages 3, 4, 5, & 6, CFT on pages 7 & 8, GEC Mechanical Dispensers on pages 9, 10, & 11, with pump specification information and hose assemblies, and pages 12-16 is dedicated to all the optional components and accessories.

The final four pages offer 3 total packages and an example of the Bill of Materials for a Modular Skid Assembly for a common scenario.

1) a basic mechanical GEC dispenser package with a reduced flow mounted pump/motor (DCS50DP.LGRLF114.3PH-MOD-SKD-PKG)   

3) an electronic dispenser (P4-100, plus Hose Kit) mounted on a full-skid base with an HD pump/motor (P4-100-TANKLESS SKID-MOUNTED STATION SYSTEM) 

There appears to be an overwhelming number of options for designing an Autogas dispensing system; but each application must be evaluated and designed to detailed specifications to operate properly and at optimum performance.  Many times we have been contacted to collaborate on non-functioning systems and found issues that range from selection of improper equipment for the application to improper installation of that equipment that affects the operating performance of the system.

Our team of field-representatives is available at your request to work with you in conducting your Autogas dispenser station installation site surveys and to support you in evaluating your customer's needs for the proper Autogas system.  Please feel free to contact them at your pleasure. 

CLICK HERE to View the GEC Autogas Catalog