Natural Gas & LPG Loading Platforms & Fall Protection - SafeRack

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Natural Gas & LPG

Safety and Access Solutions for LNG and Natural Gas Operations

SafeRack provides a full range of LPG loading platforms and loading racks designed to improve safety, efficiency, and compliance in natural gas operations. With extensive experience in LPG transportation and handling, our systems meet stringent industry standards, including NFPA 58, ensuring regulatory compliance and worker protection.

As facilities evolve with complex piping networks and high-traffic areas, SafeRack’s durable, modular crossovers, work platforms, and safety systems help maintain safe, efficient operations in LPG truck loading systems, LPG railcar loading equipment, and other bulk transfer applications.

  • NFPA 58-Compliant Solutions – Designed to meet industry safety and regulatory standards for LNG and LPG bulk loading safety.
  • Modular and Adaptable Systems – Reconfigurable platforms and crossovers accommodate evolving facility layouts, ensuring seamless integration into LPG loading platforms and transfer stations.
  • Enhanced Worker Safety – Provides secure access to complex piping networks and high-traffic areas while offering fall protection for LPG loading operations.
  • Efficient Loading and Unloading – Streamlines operations while reducing downtime and risk, improving throughput in LPG transportation and storage facilities.
Ray Evans Avatar
Natural Gas & LPG
Key Features of SafeRack’s LPG Loading Solutions:
  • Bullhorn Style Top Loading Arms: Ideal for pressurized top loading applications, these arms feature a tee at the end with two vertical drop tubes, allowing dual product connections using a single loading arm. This design provides flexibility and reach, accommodating various railcar configurations. 
  • NFPA 58 Compliant Systems: In collaboration with industry leaders, SafeRack has developed loading systems that comply with NFPA 58 standards. These systems offer safe access to railcars, maximize product flow, and include features like remote or automatic shutdowns in emergencies, such as fires or leaks. 
  • Hose Retriever Systems: To address challenges like hose wear and trip hazards, SafeRack provides hose retriever systems that keep loading hoses off the ground. This setup not only prolongs hose life but also enhances operator safety by preventing kinks and tangles. 
  • Comprehensive Loading Arm Solutions: SafeRack’s top loading arms are designed for efficient and safe transfer of LPG. Features include sufficient horizontal reach to access all compartments without repositioning and vertical movement to accommodate various vehicle heights. Options like vapor recovery systems and specialized fittings further enhance functionality. 

LPG Loading Characteristics

Railcar LPG 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
Truck LPG 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

Products

NFPA 58 Compliant LPG Loading Systems

Meeting NFPA 58 Requirements

Many facilities are unaware of the full scope of NFPA 58 compliance requirements. To address this, SafeRack has partnered with Fisher Control Valves to engineer a fully compliant LPG loading station that enhances safety, efficiency, and emergency response capabilities.

Key Features of the NFPA 58 Compliant System:

  • Safe and Efficient Loading: Designed for LPG products (DOT 1075), NGLs, and other pressurized gases, ensuring safe access to the top of railcars.
  • Emergency Shut-off Valves (ESVs):
    • At the railcar connection points
    • Snappy Joe ESVs back on the rack
  • Remote or Automatic Shutdown: Triggers in case of fire, leaks, or railcar rollaway, without requiring operator intervention.
  • Integrated System: Seamless connection and operation of loading arms, gangways, safety cages, and ESVs for improved productivity and compliance.

LPG Railcar Connections and Loading Process

Railcar Connections:

  • Three Connections:
    • Two product connections (liquid lines)
    • One vapor connection
  • Connection Process:
    • Attach ESVs to the railcar’s liquid adaptor/line and vapor valves.
    • Connect vapor hoses to the ESVs.
    • Open the liquid adaptor and vapor valves.
    • Open liquid and vapor hose valves, along with other system valves, to form an open circuit.

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

FAQ

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

★★★★★

Hands down the best option. Hands down the best option. Some say the cost is more than if you welded it yourself. To do it yourself though, you must draw up, order materials, weld out (would not be able to take apart and move), blast and paint. I think getting the product ready to assemble and set is best. The product is well made, durable, easy to assemble, extremely well coated with non-rust components.

By Carlos D. from NuStar PL Operating Partner, LP

★★★★

TOP NOTCH. Mark Gardner is an excellent asset to SafeRack. He is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Your gangways are an excellent product, sturdy, well constructed and easy to install. I had nothing but a positive experience with the entire staff that I dealt with. I would, and will, recommend SafeRack to anyone. TOP NOTCH.

By Don C. from SEFA Group

★★★★★

Easy to maneuver and operate. I would recommend the SafeRack MAUI for trucks – it's easy to maneuver and operate.

By Shane S. from Kinder Morgan

★★★★★

Fantastic! Taelor was awesome. She had great follow up time and any questions I had she had an answer for! We have ordered a couple of these from you guys, great product. A delivery truck took out the one we put in earlier in the year.

By Plant M. from HD Mechanical

★★★★

Product was delivered very quickly, faster than I expected. Product was delivered very quickly, faster than I expected.

By Jennifer S. from Resolute FP US Inc.

★★★★

I am very impressed with the my first time buying from you! The order was delivered in 2 weeks. It was actually perfect timing for the installation needs. When the product arrived in receiving I received a phone call from the supervisor. She stated that some really nice, heavy duty looking" pallets had shown up for me. The usual response is "there is a package here for you." I like the way you stretch wrap your product so it can be seen by all who touch it, from your facility to the destination. To me this is a good marketing tool! As we installed these on the lines all operators and line leads comments were overly positive about what we purchased and they were thankful that I brought those in. From a design standpoint, the rotomold design is perfect for this application along with the durable grid platform! You are never really sure what you may get for a first time buy, but I and others are very impressed with the our first time buy from you! Thank you!"

By Alex C. from FNA Group