NEMAHA CO. COOP ASSN.

Propane Policy Overview

 

As a propane supplier in Northeast Kansas, the Nemaha Co. Coop is concerned about the safety of our customers, employees, and the communities that we serve.

In an effort to improve the safety of your home, the Nemaha Co. Coop offers a safety check to all customers.  This service costs the individual nothing unless they are out of gas and is very worth the money when you consider what is at stake in your home.  All individuals in our propane department have been fully trained in leak testing procedures according to the National Propane Gas Association and the State of Kansas.

Why is a safety check required?  We are governed by several Federal, State, and local authorities who regulate propane.  The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) is an organization that writes most of the propane safety bulletins.  They also have a hand in the State Fire Marshall’s office and building codes.  The NFPA has drafted Pamphlet 58.  This document states that anytime a consumer’s supply of gas is interrupted due to service work, running out of gas or other circumstance, a propane supplier is required to conduct a safety check.  Several state fire marshall’s offices and insurance companies have adopted this document as the law in their jurisdiction.

When is the Nemaha Co. Coop required to conduct a safety check on your propane system?

1. A new customer must have a safety check down before propane can be delivered to the tank.
2. We must check the safety of each propane system we serve at least once every five years.
3. Each time your service of propane gas is interrupted. This can be from service work such as changing out a regulator, or changing where the gas line enters your home, or if you should run out of gas.
4. Anytime a customer would like one.

THE CUSTOMER MUST BE HOME WHEN A SAFETY CHECK IS CONDUCTED SO ALL PROPANE BURNING APPLIANCES MAY BE INSPECTED FOR SAFETY AND PROPER OPERATION.

What happens if our customers run out of gas?

• If the outage is our fault, because we failed to fulfill our obligation of the keep full program, we would then fill the tank and conduct a safety check at no cost to the customer.
• If the customer is not on a keep full basis then a safety check will still be required but a Charge of $40 will apply.  To avoid the problem of running out of gas, get on our keep full program.

What if our customers smell gas in their home?

• Call us immediately.  (785-336-6153 or 877-336-6153 toll free or 336-2620 or 294-0861 after hours).  We will be there as soon as possible to investigate and find the source of the leak.
• Leave the house immediately.  Do not turn on or off any lights or appliances and do not hang up the phone, just lay it down.  Any operation of electrical equipment can cause a spark.  If there are high concentrations of gas this can result in an explosion.
• Shut off the supply valve on the tank immediately.
• Communicate where you can be located.  This is a must so the driver can get all of the details of the leak.

After Hours Delivery.

If we are called out to deliver propane after normal working hours, or on weekends or holidays, a Delivery Charge of $40 will apply.  This charge will help cover the cost of the employee and equipment.  Once again, if we failed to fulfill our obligations of the keep full program and we have to deliver your propane after normal working hours, then there is no delivery charge.

Your safety is very important to us.  As a propane supplier in Nemaha and surrounding counties we have committed ourselves to operating safely.  Every employee in our operation takes our propane safety policies very seriously.  It’s the only way to do business, safety first.

Thank you,
The Propane Department
Nemaha County Co-op