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The infamous LPG Cylinder Exchange “Cage”. Pull into any convenience mart/gas station these days and you will most likely see one of these cages. I have always claimed that these cages require Vehicular Barrier Protection (VBP) where they are in the path of vehicles and I still stand behind my position. But NFPA and the National Propane Gas Association have come to a different conclusion. These cages alone provide vehicle protection. I have seen on numerous occasions what happens when a delivery truck backs over one of these cages, and I can honestly say it was like a hot knife and butter!
But apparently, the National Propane Gas Association had a study done which came to a conclusion that these “lockable ventilated enclosure of metal exterior construction” cages are protective cages.
This 2013 study, “Evaluation of Collision Protection Provided by Vehicle Impact Bollards and Propane Cylinder Exchange Cabinets” (NOTE: link may require NFPA membership). This study was WELL DONE and is worth your time to obtain and study – I find in fault in the study. Basically, the study showed that
“cylinder exchange cabinets constructed of either aluminum or steel, anchored or unanchored, and against a building wall or not, are capable of providing comparable or better impact protection for LP-gas cylinders than bollards alone.”
So with this bit of testing data, NFPA 58 was revised to reflect this…
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8.4.2 Protection of Cylinders. 8.4.2.1 Cylinders at a location open to the public shall be protected by either of the following: (1) An enclosure in accordance with 6.21.4.2 (2) A lockable ventilated enclosure of metal exterior construction 8.4.2.2 Vehicular barrier protection (VBP) shall be provided where vehicle traffic is expected at the location, except where cylinders are protected in accordance with 8.4.2.1(2). |
Where cylinders are NOT stored in lockable, ventilated metal enclosures, 8.4.2.1(1) requires them to be stored in a fenced enclosure (see 6.21.4.2), which could provide sufficient protection for the cylinders. Where fenced enclosures warrant additional vehicular barrier protection (VBP), the following provides such protection:
(1) Guard rails
(2) Steel bollards
(3) Raised sidewalks [minimum of 6 in. (150 mm) in height]
(4) Fencing
(5) Ditches
(6) Berms (not to exceed 50 percent of the container perimeter)
(7) Jersey barriers
(8) Parking bumpers [minimum of 6 in. (150 mm) in height]
(9) Fencing/gates
NFPA 58
8.4.2 Protection of Cylinders.
8.4.2.1 Cylinders at a location open to the public shall be protected by either of the following:
(1) An enclosure in accordance with 6.21.4.2
(2) A lockable ventilated enclosure of metal exterior construction
8.4.2.2 Vehicular barrier protection (VBP) shall be provided where vehicle traffic is expected at the location, except where cylinders are protected in accordance with 8.4.2.1(2).
Research conducted demonstrated that lockable, ventilated enclosures of aluminum or steel construction protect cylinders stored within those cabinets from potentially catastrophic damage due to impact from a motor vehicle. The report, “Evaluation of Collision Protection Provided by Vehicle Impact Bollards and Propane Cylinder Exchange Cabinets,” was prepared for the National Propane Gas Association and is
available from NFPA.
Where cylinders are not stored in lockable, ventilated metal enclosures, 8.4.2.1(1) requires them to be stored in a fenced enclosure (see 6.21.4.2), which could provide sufficient protection for the cylinders. Where fenced enclosures warrant additional vehicular barrier protection (VBP), the following provide such protection:
(1) Guard rails
(2) Steel bollards
(3) Raised sidewalks [minimum of 6 in. (150 mm) in height]
(4) Fencing
(5) Ditches
(6) Berms (not to exceed 50 percent of the container perimeter)
(7) Jersey barriers
(8) Parking bumpers [minimum of 6 in. (150 mm) in height]
(9) Fencing/gates