Iowa Propane Gas Association 2011 Training Descriptions CETP Classes Basic Principles & Practices - 2 days The Basic Principles and Practices class is an entry level course designed to provide all individuals in the propane industry, from receptionists to delivery drivers, from service technicians to plant managers and owners, with prerequisite instruction regarding propane s physical and combustion properties, how propane is produced and transported, the organizations that influence, publish or enforce codes and standards, how basic functions are performed in a bulk plant, primary safety concerns, and serving the customer. It is the foundation course of the entire National Propane Gas Association/Propane Education & Research Council, Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) and is a prerequisite for certification in any of the other duty areas except Transportation Delivery. Attendees are provided current copies of NFPA 54 and NFPA 58. Bobtail Delivery - 3 days The safe and efficient delivery of propane can be more effectively accomplished by individuals who have a thorough knowledge of the trucks used for delivering propane, the inspection procedures which are required to be performed on propane delivery vehicles, the containers into which propane may be placed, the techniques with which propane may be removed from containers, and an awareness of responsible driving habits. Further, the DOT requires all individuals transporting hazardous materials to have received initial training within 90 days of employment and to receive recurrent training every three years. 2.1 Propane Delivery Basics (This is NOT a certification area, but IS a prerequisite for all Other Propane Delivery Certification areas.) Provides general information applicable to all drivers of cargo tank motor vehicles used to deliver propane, including DOT driver qualifications, personal protective equipment, CTMV pre-trip inspections, verifying placarding, markings & inspections, flammable & combustible liquids, verifying the presence of odorant, handling CTMV accidents, breakdowns & emergencies, parking/garaging of vehicles. 2.2 Bobtail Delivery (Certification) Identifying bobtail equipment and operating procedures, pre-unloading inspections, bulk plant loading/unloading systems & procedures, walk-around inspection of CTMV, purging propane containers prior to transferring product, handling out-of-gas calls & piping leak checks, evacuating ASME tanks, post-trip inspections, required monthly inspections, bobtail loading via compressor or auxiliary inlet. Attendees Must Bring or Purchase: NFPA 54 & NFPA 58 Certification requirements to receive certification, a person must have successfully completed the CETP Basic Principles and Practices course, achieved a passing score on the certification test and completed the Skills Assessment within twelve (12) months of passing the written certification test.
Plant Operations 3 days Individuals will be expected to identify fitness of ASME tanks for continued service, maintaining ASME tanks, (including PPE, combustible liquids, ammonia contamination, purging/evacuating, flaring, replacing valves/fittings, injecting methanol, corrosion protection, protective coatings), maintaining DOT cylinders (examining, evacuating, purging cylinders, replacing valves/fittings, requalification of cylinders, preparing for scrap), storage of cylinders, operating dispensing equipment (by weight or volume, preparing cylinders for transportation, filling vehicle mounted ASME tanks) and maintaining bulk plant equipment (valves, fittings, piping systems, ESVs, hoses, pumps, strainers, bypass systems, compressors, electrical systems, scales, liquid meters and security procedures). Certification requirements to receive certification, a person must have successfully completed the CETP Basic Principles and Practices course, achieved a passing score on the certification test and completed the Skills Assessment within twelve (12) months of passing the written certification test. 4.2 Preparing and Installing Vapor Distribution Vapor Distribution System Installation 3 days System Components: Individuals will be expected to identify proper procedures for preparing tanks & cylinders for transporting, locating underground utilities & services, preparing foundations, installing DOT (exchange & stationary), aboveground ASME and underground ASME containers, manifolding, installing PE tubing and fittings, installing regulators, copper tubing, steel piping and corrugated stainless steel tubing, performing pressure tests on gas distribution lines, installing vapor meters, purging gas distribution lines, performing leak checks, placing appliances into service, documenting and recordkeeping, communicating safety information to your customers. Attendees Must Bring or Purchase: NFPA 54 Certification requirements to receive certification, a person must have successfully completed the CETP Basic Principles and Practices course, achieved a passing score on the certification test and completed the Skills Assessment within twelve (12) months of passing the written certification test.
REFRESHER TRAINING Cylinder School - 1 day This session is designed to guide propane company employees, dispenser operators, or other individuals who desire to inspect, requalify, and fill propane containers of less than 1000 pounds water capacity, in the proper procedures to promote safe filling and transportation of small propane containers. Safe and efficient inspection, requalifying and filling of propane containers are more effectively accomplished if individuals have been instructed in the proper procedures. For those that DO NOT perform requalification functions/duties, please contact our office regarding different course material. Basic Principles & Practices Refresher Training (BPP II) 1 day When working around propane facilities it is important that individuals have an understanding of the properties of propane and sources of workplace safety information, and how to respond to incidents involving propane. This program is designed for individuals who have completed the NPGA/PERC Basic Principles & Practices Certified Employee Training or other initial training and are seeking additional training relative to propane. Classroom: Individuals will be expected to: 1. Identify the physical properties and combustion characteristics of propane. 2. Identify the hazards associated with propane and procedures to follow to avoid or mitigate damages through the use of material safety data sheets and personal protective equipment. 3. Identify procedures to enhance workplace safety. 4. Identify the components of the company Fire Safety Analysis. 5. Identify procedures to follow in response to a propane plant security breach. Who Should Attend: Propane plant office personnel, delivery drivers, installation & service technicians or any individual expected to work in the propane industry, seeking additional information. Attendees Must Bring or Purchase: NFPA 54 & NFPA 58
Propane Transportation & Delivery II - 1 day Individuals transporting hazardous materials are required by the DOT and NFPA 58 to receive initial training within 90 days of employment and to participate in recurrent/refresher training every three years thereafter. This program is designed for individuals who have completed the NPGA Bobtail Delivery Certified Employee Training or other initial training and are seeking additional training relative to bobtail delivery of propane. Individuals will be expected to: 1. Acquire knowledge of the latest U.S. Department of Transportation inspection & maintenance requirements for Cargo Tank Motor Vehicles (CTMV). 2. Identify requirements for the retention of inspections and maintenance records on CTMV s. 3. Understand Driver Security Requirements. 4. Understand the Hours-of-Service requirements, which became effective January 4, 2004. 5. Identify the inspections and maintenance procedures required by DOT on a CTMV. 6. Demonstrate proper use of the Emergency Response Guide (ERG). Who should attend: Propane delivery drivers, tank setting technicians, service technicians, management, or any individual expected to deliver propane. Attendees Must Bring or Purchase: NFPA 54 & NFPA 58 We encourage individuals to bring samples of their post/pre-trip inspection reports, monthly & yearly inspection reports, and examples of routing procedures. Interrupted System Startup 1 day Every year there are fires and explosions as well as loss of lives due to systems being placed into service without sufficient inspection and testing. This session is designed for individuals who are placing a customer s system into service, whether a new system, an existing system new to you, or a system which has been out of service. Individuals will be expected to: 1. Possess an understanding of various codes and manufacturer s requirements for Pressure testing of new gas piping, Leakage testing of new and existing gas systems including connected equipment, Performance testing of the piping and regulators to ensure proper operation and safety, 2. Recognize acceptable methods to test gas utilization equipment when placing it into operation, and how to document the work performed. 3. Identify proper procedures to follow for documentation of work performed 4. Understand the need for communication with the customer 5. Possess an understanding of methods to communicate safety and warning information to consumers using propane. Who should attend: Propane delivery drivers, tank setting technicians, service technicians, plumbers, heating contractors, management, or any individual expected to initiate gas service in gas piping systems and connected equipment for new and existing customers. Attendees Must Bring or Purchase: NFPA 54
Underground Tank Installation, Testing & Maintenance - 1 day Corrosion is the single most important consideration when installing ASME tanks, underground or mounded. There is more to it than relying on the manufacturer s special coating to protect the UG or mounded tank and appurtenances. Individuals Attending this Session Will Be Expected To: Identify personal protective equipment necessary for the safe preparation of underground ASME tanks, Identify necessary tools and test equipment to install, inspect, test and maintain underground tank systems, Identify ASME underground tank design and marking requirements, Identify required appurtenances for underground ASME tanks, Identify installation requirements for underground ASME tanks, Size and select cathodic protection systems for underground ASME tanks, Identify procedures to install cathodic protections systems on underground ASME tanks, Identify tank purging procedures, Identify procedures for injecting methanol into tanks, Identify procedures for placing propane tanks into service, Identify procedures to test and maintain cathodic protections systems on underground ASME tanks, Identify procedures to test for propane leakage around underground ASME tanks, and Identify tank evacuation procedures. Who should attend: Tank setting technicians, service technicians, propane delivery drivers, or any other individual who will be expected to install, inspect, test, maintain, or verify adequate corrosion protection. This session will include a Written Qualification Assessment. Upon completion, the written assessment will be reviewed by the Iowa Propane Gas Association, and results will be The Skills Assessment found in the provided manual will need to be completed per instructions provided, and mailed to the Iowa Propane Gas Association for verification of training completion. A copy of the Skills Assessment should be placed in the attendee s training file to verify continuing education/refresher training along with the certificate of completion provided by the Iowa Propane Gas Association (issued upon receipt of the skills assessment and written assessment with a passing score). The Iowa Propane Gas Association recommends the participating employee keep a copy for their records also. Propane Customer Service Training Program 1 day The importance of acquiring a basic knowledge of acceptable work practices within the propane industry is vital for you to provide your customers with proper assistance. Individuals attending this session will be expected to identify product characteristics and procedures basic to propane service support personnel; identify basic components of tanks, cylinders and bulk storage; identify industry standards, safety codes and regulations; identify procedures that promote customer safety for leak and odor complaints; and, review procedures that will help improve customer relationships. A copy of NFPA 54 & NFPA 58 would be useful, but not required for this class. Who Should Attend: Propane office personnel or any individual expected to possess skills for handling customer problems within the propane industry.
Plant Operations Refresher Training (POII): Plant operational personnel are responsible for a variety of tasks. This session is designed for individuals who have completed the NPGA Basic Plant Operation Certified Employee Training or other initial training and are seeking additional training relative to propane plant operations. Individuals attending this class will be expected to identify hazards associated with handling and transferring propane, and PPE used in these procedures; identify codes and standards that apply to handling flammable and combustible liquids, and the guidelines for their proper handling; identify the fitness of ASME tanks and DOT cylinders for continued service; identify features and maintenance procedures for bulk storage containers; and, review plant security and fire safety requirements. Who Should Attend: Propane plant operational personnel, installation & service technicians, or any individual expected to perform basic plant operational functions seeking additional information. the Iowa Propane Gas Association (IPGA), for evaluation and recordkeeping. The results will be sent to the participants after the processing of the WQA and completion of the Skills Assessment. Upon successful completion of both the written and skills assessment, a certification will be provided to satisfy the training requirements of IAC 661-226 [sub-rules 226.4(1) and 226.4(2]). *Before any test can be taken, the instructor must see photo ID & a social security number must be provided (card not required).