Documenting Propane
Regulator Replacements
When you own or operate a propane company,
regulator replacement is a crucial
procedure that should be completed regularly
to help ensure the safety and proper operation
of the propane equipment you service. We know
you’ve heard it before—if it isn’t documented,
it didn’t happen. Documenting your regulator
replacements is imperative, as is documenting
any testing completed prior
to putting a regulator into
service. Keep reading this
article to learn the importance
of regulator replacement
and accurately documenting
your propane company’s
regulator installations and
replacements.
The Purpose of
Regulator Replacement
Regulators control the
pressure to downstream
equipment. A piece of
equipment called a seat disk
allows gas to flow through
the piping while a diaphragm
moves back and forth to
control downstream gas
pressure. Sometimes, when
the demand for gas is low, the
seat disk can jam or lock up.
Building pressure behind a
locked-up disk can eventually
divert gas through the relief
valve, a release mechanism
designed to prevent equipment
damage. Timely regulator
replacement is necessary
to maintain a well-working
propane system.
Recommended Frequency
Due to the amount of wear and tear this equipment
sees daily, regulator replacement guidelines
are set by each regulator manufacturer. Follow
manufacturer-recommended guidelines to
stay compliant with the specific system’s
regulator lifespans and replacement
frequency. It’s easy to see why documentation is
so critical for such an intermittent task—this is a
part that can last for many years if manufactured
and maintained properly, so replacement may no
longer be on your radar by the time it’s necessary
for a given piece of equipment.
So, what’s the best way to track your propane
company’s regulator replacement needs and
frequency? Read on to learn
how our propane safety
experts recommend that you
document and track your
regulator replacements to
ensure high rates of accuracy
and compliance.
Documenting
& Tracking
Your Regulator
Replacements
Tracking regulators in your
portfolio to ensure they
are replaced before their
manufacturer-recommended
expiration is critical to
reduce risk and maintain
overall compliance. Be sure
to maintain accurate and
updated documentation on
regulator replacements to
keep your employees safe,
your customers protected and
your company safeguarded in
the case of litigation. Our team
recommends using digital,
cloud-based compliance
software that provides
automated notifications when
regulator replacements are
due, significantly reducing
Photo courtesy of Alan Carver, Fogel’s Fuel, Nazareth, PA
the risk of outdated regulators remaining in
service.
About the author: Brent Cammett is the Senior
Consultant of Safety& Training at P3 Propane
Safety. You can contact him at Brent_Cammett@
bostonenv.com or at P3PropaneSafety.com. ICM
Safety & Compliance
Brent Cammett
Senior Consultant/Safety Training
P3 Propane Safety
Regulators are marked with the date of
manufacture (the letter denotes the week
of the month. In this example A means
the first week of September). Refer to the
manufacturers specifications for the service
life of each regulator. As always, be sure to
adhere to all codes & regulations.
16 ICM/November/December 2022