Safety Operating Procedures for Filling LPG Road Tankers

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(1) Inspection before filling 1. Before filling, the inspector must conduct a thorough inspection of the tank truck and keep detailed records; filling shall not take place if any of the following conditions are found: (1) The tank truck’s permit or authorization for use has expired； (2) No ‘Use Registration Certificate’ or electronic information card for mobile pressure vessels ； (3) No certificate of replacement for tank vehicles or proof of the medium stored inside ； The oxygen content in the gas inside the tank exceeds 3%, or the vacuum level is ≥650 mmHg, with a residual pressure of less than 0.1 MPa ； (4) The escort personnel do not have an escort permit ； (5) The tank has not been inspected on schedule or failed the inspection ； (6) The color, markings, and labels of the tank vehicle do not match those of the medium it contains, or the color, markings, and labels have faded away, making it difficult to identify its type ； (7) Incomplete, damaged, malfunctioning attachments, or those that do not meet safety regulations ； (8) The tank has poor sealing performance, or there are leaks at various sealing surfaces and accessories. (II) Filling operation: 1. After the tank truck has passed the inspection, it moves to the designated loading position in the loading area; the engine is turned off, and anti-static grounding as well as an electrostatic grounding alarm device are connected. 2. Connect the gas-liquid phase quick connector of the crane to that of the tank truck, then open the quick shut-off valve and ball valve inside the tank truck. Next, open the ball valves at the liquid phase hose quick connector, as well as those on the liquid phase pipeline and the gas phase pipeline. 3. Inspect components and processes such as tank trucks, hoses, and grounding systems; verify and set the loading tonnage, and proceed with filling once all requirements are met. 4. During the filling process, check the tank truck and valves for any leaks or abnormalities, and pay close attention to various components and instruments (pressure, temperature, liquid level), especially the changes in the liquid level gauge. 5. The vehicle must not be started arbitrarily during the filling process; the use of fire and flames is strictly prohibited. Operators, drivers, and escorts must not leave the site. 6. Once the set tonnage is reached, the automatic valve closes, stopping the filling process. 7. Manually close the ball valves on the gas and liquid phase lines, close the ball valve at the hose quick connector, and finally close the quick cut-off valves and ball valves for the gas and liquid phases inside the tank truck’s filling container. 8. Remove the gas and liquid phase loading hose connectors; after verifying everything is correct, start the vehicle and remove the anti-static grounding and static grounding alarm connector. Drive away from the filling site, go to the weighing room for weighing, and check the filling volume. 9. After filling is complete, record the filling information on the electronic information card and upload it to the National Public Information Service Platform for Mobile Pressure Vessels. 10. Fill in the filling record. (III) Safety precautions 1. The filling volume of tank trucks must be strictly controlled to prevent overfilling. 2. Filling personnel should strengthen routine inspections of the filling equipment and address any issues found promptly. 3. Overloading is strictly prohibited; if overloading occurs, it must be dealt with properly immediately, otherwise the vehicle shall not leave the filling facility. 4. Filling is strictly prohibited in the following situations: (1) During thunderstorms or when there are open flames in the vicinity ； (2) In the event of a leak of flammable or toxic gas substances in the vicinity ； (3) When other safety hazards arise ； (IV) A thorough inspection of the filling vehicle must be carried out after filling. Check whether there is any cold leakage, sweating, or frosting on the various sealing surfaces of the tank, as well as on the valves and piping.