Petroleum - SafeRack

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Petroleum

Leaders in Petroleum, Upstream/Downstream, and Natural Gas Safety Solutions

Our loading platforms and access systems are built for durability and adaptability, ensuring secure and OSHA-compliant operations for LPG loading. By incorporating advanced safety features and seamless integration with existing infrastructure, SafeRack helps fuel terminals improve throughput with innovative loading racks and oil storage rack systems while maintaining worker protection and regulatory compliance.

SafeRack has been providing the oil and gas terminal industry with reliable safety solutions for years. The ever-changing footprint of oil terminals, including their extensive web of piping and equipment, creates complex access challenges. Our crossovers, work platforms, and fall protection systems provide secure and adaptable solutions to meet the industry’s evolving needs.

Designed to withstand harsh environments and frequent reconfiguration, SafeRack’s equipment is the preferred choice for fuel rack locations and petroleum terminals. Our access solutions improve worker safety, streamline maintenance, and ensure compliance with industry standards at oil loading racks and fuel terminal loading racks. By integrating robust, reconfigurable safety systems, SafeRack helps facilities enhance efficiency and protect workers in high-risk loading and storage environments.

Kenny Rogers Avatar
Petroleum
Characteristics of LPG Rail Loading
  • Product Temperature: 30°F-100°F
  • Design Temperature: -20°F-110°F
  • Normal Operating Pressure 80 – 150 psig
  • Design Pressure – 250 psig
  • Railcar Connection Size – 2” f
  • Line/Arm Size – 4”x3”x2”, 3”x2”
  • Common Hazards – Freeze burns, collapsing railcars, flammable material
Characteristics of LPG Truck Loading
  • Product Temperature: 30°F-100°F
  • Design Temperature: -20°F-110°F
  • Normal Operating Pressure: 500 PSI
  • Hydro Test Pressure: 750 PSI
  • Railcar Connection Size: 2”
  • Line/Arm Size -3”x2”
  • Common Hazards – Freeze burns, collapsing railcars, flammable material
Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG parts

LPG Is a mixture of hydrocarbons, consisting mainly of propane, propene (propylene) and butane

  • A simplified propane supply chain would include:
    • Production and Transportation
    • Bulk Plants and Customer Delivery (cylinder filling plants, bulk storage plants, and large industrial customers)
    • End-User Customers (final consumers)
  • Propane is delivered from terminals to distributors and re-sellers via truck, railcar, ship or barge, and sometimes by pipeline, especially on the East Coast and
    Mid-West.
  • Since propane is an odorless gas, when it’s transferred from storage vessels to the loading dock an odorant is injected (Methyl Mercaptan) to detect leaks or spills.
  • LPG and anhydrous ammonia tank cars are sealed pressure containers. Several fittings are mounted on the manway cover plate to facilitate loading, unloading, gauging and testing operations.
  • Two (2) product lines
  • One (1) vapor line

Products

NFPA 58 – Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code

SafeRack and Fisher have collaborated to engineer a fully NFPA 58-compliant loading station, providing a safe and efficient system for LPG products (DOT 1075), NGLs, and other pressurized gases. This advanced system ensures safe access to the top of the railcar, maximizes product flow, and features remote or automatic shutdown capabilities in case of an emergency, such as fire, leaks, or railcar rollaway, eliminating the need for operator intervention.

Why NFPA 58 Compliance Matters:

  • The industry benchmark for safe LP-gas storage, handling, transportation, and usage.
  • Mitigates risks and ensures safe installations, preventing failures, leaks, and tampering that could lead to fires or explosions.
  • Many facilities lack awareness of what full compliance requires.
SafeRack’s NFPA 58-Compliant Loading Station Features:

  • Emergency Shut-off Valves (ESVs): Installed at the railcar for rapid response.
  • Snappy Joe ESVs: Positioned at the oil loading rack for enhanced safety.
  • Full System Integration: Seamless connection of loading arms, gangways, safety cages, and ESVs.
  • LPG Railcar Connections: Three connection points—two product connections and one vapor connection.
  • Step-by-Step Connection Process: Secure attachment of ESVs, vapor hoses, and system valves to create an open circuit, ensuring controlled and efficient loading.

SafeRack’s partnership with Fisher Control Valves ensures that every fuel terminal loading rack and LPG railcar loading installation meets NFPA 58 standards, providing a safer and more efficient work environment. Contact a SafeRack representative today to learn how to make your oil and gas terminal compliant and optimized for performance.

How do SafeRack’s gangways improve safety during energy product loading and unloading?

SafeRack’s self-adjusting gangways provide safe, OSHA-compliant access to tank trucks, railcars, and barges transporting crude oil, natural gas liquids, and refined fuels. Equipped with four-rail safety cages and available in powered options, our gangways minimize fall risks and ensure safe, efficient loading and unloading in high-volume energy operations.

Can SafeRack’s loading arms handle corrosive and flammable materials?

Yes. SafeRack’s carbon steel loading arms are built to safely transfer a wide range of energy products, including crude oil, LNG, and petrochemicals. With PTFE-sealed swivel joints for chemical resistance and vapor recovery systems for EPA compliance, these arms are designed to withstand harsh environments while maintaining safety and efficiency.

How does SafeRack help prevent spills and environmental hazards at energy facilities?

SafeRack provides a range of spill containment solutions, including pans, berms, and wheel chocks, to capture leaks during the transfer of oil, gas, and petrochemicals. These systems help energy facilities stay compliant with EPA regulations while protecting workers and the environment from hazardous spills.

Why is grounding important in energy loading operations, and how does SafeRack help?

Grounding is critical in energy operations to prevent static discharge, which can ignite flammable vapors during the transfer of crude oil, LNG, and refined fuels. SafeRack’s grounding and bonding systems ensure a secure ground connection before product flow begins, reducing fire and explosion risks and maintaining compliance with OSHA and NFPA standards.

Can SafeRack customize safety platforms and access systems for energy facilities?

Absolutely. SafeRack offers customizable access solutions, including gangways, platforms, stairs, and fall protection systems, specifically designed for the complex needs of energy facilities. Our modular systems are built to withstand harsh environments while improving worker safety and operational efficiency.

Projects

What Customers Are Saying

★★★★

Thanks and keep up the great work! Bryce did a fantastic job of answering my questions, providing feedback, quick quotes, delivery, etc. I had one question that Bryce did not know off the top of his head, so he dug into the details and quickly returned an answer. As well as providing options for future orders. Thanks and keep up the great work!

By Doug V. from Liquidyne Process Technologies, Inc.

★★★★★

SafeRack provided us with the perfect work platform solution. Easy to assemble and provides perfect accessible areas. Fast design and delivery.

By Dan J. from Fuchs Lubricants Co.

★★★★★

Fast, easy and adjustable. Very responsive, and they worked with us to have a comfortable price for our company. Very easy to work with, the staff is very friendly and very responsive in a timely manner. I am very happy with the experience with the customer service and looking forward to using you again.

By Migdad M. from Maguire Iron, Inc.

★★★★★

SafeRack provided an efficient and economical way to solve one of our crossover issues. Quick response from the sales team and very fast delivery on site. We were very pleased with the quality of this product!

By Joe Z. from Marathon Petroleum Co LP

★★★★

One of the best, if not the best, salesmen that I have ever dealt with. Pat Early was absolutely one of the best, if not the best, salesmen that I have ever dealt with. He was always responsive to my needs, understood the changes and assisted in getting them taken care of. I have recommended SafeRack to all the other plants within my division of Owens Corning. Scott Hite was another outstanding salesman that I had the pleasure of dealing with. Our original design called for an auto-tarping system (which is how I found out about SafeRack), but after investigating it with Scott and Pat, they came to me and informed that due to building specs you were unable to install one. That is where a couple of competitors kind of stopped, but Pat kept bringing up other possible solutions. His dedication to the project is why we ended up choosing SafeRack. When the units came, they were just as described. They were packaged secure and together, and were a simple unload. Install went without issue, because of the way that SafeRack loaded the parts and pieces. The end user (the truck drivers) like the ease of use of the gangways. The Owens Corning Rockford Plant is grateful to SafeRack for assisting us in reducing a safety risk at a fair price.

By Jean-Daniel B. from Owens Corning Sales, LLC

★★★★★

Very fast and exceeded the time frame. If we need something on a rush order, we know that SafeRack is quick at responding. We're happy as a customer.

By Courtney O. from JMP Solutions