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Propane "Out of Gas Policy"

Each Member Cooperative is required to have an "Out Of Gas Policy" in place. All employees are to be informed of that policy and its working for safety of the patron and fellow employees. Each Member Cooperative is to have a standardized plan when any Propane customer calls to report their service has been interrupted or they are experiencing an "Out Of Gas" situation. The following is suggested by the NPGA as a form of a "Out Of Gas Policy."

Out of Gas Procedures:

1. When a customer calls to reports he/she is out of gas, instruct the customer to close the service valve(s) on the container.  Also, instruct the caller to shut off all appliance valves.  NOTE: Record the date, time and name of the person to whom you are giving instructions and have the caller verbally demonstrate to you that he/she understands your instructions.

2. When the delivery person arrives at the customer's location in response to an out-of-gas call, he/she should make sure the service valve(s) on the container(s) is/are completely closed.  Never assume that the customer completely closed the valve(s).  If the customer is home and/or if previous arrangements have been made to grant the delivery person entry to the customer's premises, physically check all appliance gas cocks, appliance control valves and range top burners to be certain they are completely closed.  Also, check for evidence of gas appliance changes and open or uncapped lines.  If the customer is not available or the appliances are inaccessible, refer to Item #7.

3. When the delivery person arrives at a customer's location to make a regular gas delivery, he/she should first determine that the container is not empty.   If the container is empty, close the container(s) service outlet valve(s) before filling the container.  Then follow the suggestions outlined in #2 above.

4. Fill the customer's tank(s) or cylinder(s) or replace the cylinder(s) with filled cylinder(s).

5. Check for leakage.  Immediately after turning on the gas, the piping system should be checked to ascertain that no gas is escaping.  If leakage is indicated, the leak must be repaired before service is resumed.

6. Put all appliances back in service, making certain all pilots are properly lighted.  Check all safety valves to make sure they shut off completely when the pilot is extinguished.  Relighting appliances is the responsibility of a qualified person and for safety reasons SHOULD NOT BE DONE BY THE CUSTOMER.

7. If no one is home or the appliances are inaccessible, leave the container(s) valves closed.  Advise the customer in writing and leave the notification attached to the container service valve.

8. Make a note of what you did on your delivery ticket.  A suggested notice follows:

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Revised March, 1999