The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) is inviting submissions on proposed changes to regulations governing where and how large quantities of flammable refrigerant gases are allowed to be stored and managed.
The April 2008 explosion and fire at Icepak Coolstores at Tamahere, which killed firefighter Derek Lovell and serious injured seven other firemen, was caused by a leak of the highly flammable gas Hychill-50 which is 95 per cent propane.
ERMA is proposing changes to make gas regulations clearer and to make the use of an odorising agent and warning signs for any quantity of LPG compulsory.
The LPG Association of NZ has also proposed changes to LPG regulations and ERMA has said that both proposals will be considered together.
Click the following links for the proposal summaries (PDFs):
LPG modifications ERMA
Click here for submission forms and details for ERMA’s proposal.
Click here for submissions forms and details for the LPG Association’s proposal – HRE09001.
The submission deadline is November 23, 2009.
