The Waste and Hazardous Materials Division (WHMD), within the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), has the responsibility of regulating the installation of new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) systems containing 2,000 gallon individual capacity, 4,000 gallon aggregate capacity, or any LPG container filling operation. The WHMD also maintains the certification of all LPG systems that meet one of the listed criteria.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:

The owner/operator plan review/certification of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facilities

The owner/operator installation of Underground or Mounded LPG containers

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

Part 29.5c, Fire Prevention Code, Public Act 207 of 1941

Executive Reorganization Order No. 2 of 1997

Executive Reorganization Order No. 2 of 1998

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Michigan Administrative Code, Rules Administered by MDEQ, WHMD

Liquefied Petroleum Gases Code (R 29.4001 - 29.4035)

D. MICHIGAN BUSINESS ONE STOP:

The Michigan Business One Stop (One Stop) www.michigan.gov/business is a tool designed to allow businesses to interact with the State of Michigan. The tool offers:

• a set of screening questions based upon your business sector to identify permits, licenses and registrations that may be required to do business in Michigan.
• an option to pay fees online. For many programs, you can pay your business license fee in One Stop through use of an online form and shopping cart.
• many online permit applications and renewals. When starting a new business and registering in One Stop, you will need to identify a business sector (also known as a NAICS Code). You can find your code at www.naics.com, select "Code Search."  After entering this code in One Stop and answering some screening questions, links to relevant permit applications will automatically be available in your newly created workspace. One benefit of accessing applications through One Stop is that you will receive status messages throughout the application process.

Using the One Stop provides many benefits to businesses in Michigan. By conducting your business through One Stop you can organize your State of Michigan transactions in one place. If you ever need assistance with One Stop, then you can contact the Customer Assistance Center at 877-766-1779; they are open from 7 am to 6 pm. One Stop is a valuable tool that offers many benefits to business. We hope you give it a try.

D. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)

The LPG storage facilities are any vessel that contains a material having a vapor pressure not exceeding that allowed for commercial propane composed predominately of the following hydrocarbons, either by themselves or as mixtures: propane, propylene, butane (normal butane or isobutane), and butylene, and is used to store or transport this mixture.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

The applicant is required to submit a completed Application for Installation of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facility Form (EQP 3861), a check for $203 per tank to be reviewed, along with a site plan and installation information for review and approval by the WHMD.

The owner/operator is required to report any tank system that is either underground or mounded to this office on a special form that can be gotten from this office.

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

All data and information requested on the Application of Installation of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facility Form(s).

New LPG Installations:

• A plot plan providing the relevant information such as location of buildings and public roadways, railroads, power lines, storm and sanitary sewers, property lines, and manholes, from both the tank and the point of transfer.

• A diagram of the proposed LPG system, the working pressure of the tank, piping, flow control devices, the capacity and dimensions of the tank, shear valve, breakaway device, dispenser, nozzle, tank valves and supports, gages, pressure relief devices, fire protection, and crash protection.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval

New LPG Installations:

• Applicant submits to the WHMD central office a completed Application for Installation of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facility Form (EQP 3861), a fee of $203.00 for each tank to be plan reviewed, and provides the additional information required for new LPG installation plans.

• Storage Tank Unit staff will review new installation plans submitted, and issue a plan review report within 21 days from receipt of the submittal. A copy of the plan review report is transmitted with the approved plans to the applicant, and appropriate field office for their review in preparation for the field inspection.

• Upon receipt of the plan review report, the applicant will notify the field inspector who will schedule a pre-tank installation inspection, and a final inspection. Pursuant to the final inspection, the inspector will certify the new LPG system if it is in compliance with the Rules.

Existing LPG Installations:

• Applicant must follow the same steps as outlined in the Procedure for Obtaining a Permit or Approval for a new LPG system.

 5.  Operational Requirements

Facility must comply with the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases rules.

 6.  Fees

The annual certificate fee is $61.50 per tank.

 7.  Appeal Process

If a person wishes to appeal the denial of a variance request under these rules, then they must complete and forward a petition for contested case hearings within 60 days of the receipt of the denial. In these cases, the Administrative Law Judge in the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules makes a Recommendation for Decision for consideration by the Director of MDEQ.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

The decision makers in the approval process are the Review Engineers in the Storage Tank Unit of WHMD. Complaints or comments related to a facility may be filed with the MDEQ at any time. The complaints are investigated and if they were validated through a finding of a violation then this would be considered in the decision-making process for approval.

E. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:

Waste and Hazardous Materials Division Storage Tank and Solid Waste Section Michigan Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 30157 Lansing, Michigan 48909-7657

• Program Phone: 517-335-7211

• Program Webpage: www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4115_4237-9578--,00.html

• Environmental Assistance Center: 1-800-662-9278, e-mail: deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov

 

Creation/Revision Date:

October 2010