Propane Autogas: Available Resources

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1 Propane Autogas Resources to Effectively Communicate the Benefits of Propane Autogas to Fleet Operators, School Boards, Community Groups, and Emergency Responders

2 Propane Autogas: Available Resources Two resources are available to help marketers, state associations, and advocates communicate propane autogas benefits: 1) Propane Autogas: A Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles PowerPoint presentation and 2) a companion booklet. These materials can help you explain the advantages and safety features of propane-autogas-fueled vehicles to fleet operators, school boards, community groups, parents, emergency responders, and other interested parties.! Topics for these materials are based on extensive research and case studies that highlight the viability and emergence of propane autogas as an alternative fuel. In addition, firefighters and emergency responders were interviewed to understand their perspective of propane-autogas-fueled vehicles.! The Propane Autogas: A Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles begins on slide 5 of this document.! Copies of the booklet (PRC ) are available from the Propane Marketing and Resource Catalog at The booklet can also be downloaded at

3 How to Use This Presentation Template! This presentation is divided into four sections. You should select the sections that are most appropriate for the audience when giving your presentation. Sections include: 1.!Propane Autogas: The Smarter Alternative Fuel (Slides 5 24) 2.!Successful Fleet Initiatives (Slides 25 35) 3.!Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know (Slides 36 62) 4.!Resources (Slides 63 68)! Propane Autogas: The Smarter Alternative Fuel and Successful Fleet Initiatives discusses the general benefits and features of propane-autogas-fueled vehicles.! Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know discusses in detail the properties of propane, vehicle identification, vehicle components, and assessing a vehicle incident.! Resources lists additional propane autogas online resources.

4 How to Use This Presentation Template! If your audience is comprised of fleet managers and operators, school boards, parents, teachers, community groups, local government, or the general public, use these sections:! Propane Autogas: The Smarter Alternative Fuel (Slides 5 24)! Successful Fleet Initiatives (Slides 25 35)! Resources (Slides 63 68)! If your audience is comprised of emergency responders such as firefighters, policemen, and other first responders, consider these options: 1.!Use the entire presentation (Slides 5 68) 2.!Use the last two sections (Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know (Slides 36 62) and Resources (Slides 63 68). If time allows, add slides from Propane Autogas: The Smarter Alternative Fuel (Slides 5 24) to serve as an introduction to your presentation.! Based on the audience and time allotted for your presentation, you may want to add or delete slides in the recommended options listed above.! A section for notes has been created to give additional information as you prepare for your meeting. To access, click on View and scroll down to click on the Notes Page.! If desired, you can add your logo and contact information to the title slide (slide 5) and/or the Thank You slide at the end of the presentation (slide 68).

5 Propane Autogas A Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles

6 Agenda Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet Initiatives Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Resources Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles

Agenda Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet Initiatives Propane

7 Agenda Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet Initiatives Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Resources Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles

8 Agenda Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet Initiatives Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Resources Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles

9 Agenda Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet Initiatives Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Resources Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles

10 Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative

11 Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative! Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles have existed for almost 100 years! Approximately 17 million propane-autogas-fueled vehicles are in operation around the globe! Propane autogas is the most widely used alternative transportation fuel in the world

12 Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Why the increased interest in propane-autogas-fueled vehicles? Economical Environmentally Friendly Domestically Produced Safety Advantages

13 Economical! Costs less per gallon than gasoline or diesel fuel! Lower maintenance costs! Incentives available for fleet use

14 Economical ThyssenKrupp saved more than $2,900 per vehicle fueled with propane autogas in This represents a 41% savings in fuel costs. Data provided by: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas

15 Environmentally Friendly! Significantly lower carbon content than gasoline or diesel fuel! Capable of substantially reducing emissions:! Hydrocarbons! Nitrogen Oxides! Carbon Monoxide! Greenhouse Gases

Environmentally Friendly Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles emit 17 percent fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than gasoline-fueled vehicles.

16 Environmentally Friendly Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles emit 17 percent fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than gasoline-fueled vehicles. Emissions Comparison Gasoline-fueled Vehicle emissions Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles 12% fewer carbon dioxide emissions 20% fewer nitrogen oxide emissions 60% fewer carbon monoxide emissions

17 Domestically Produced! Approximately 90 percent of propane consumed in the U.S. is produced domestically! An additional 7 percent is produced in Canada

18 Domestically Produced Propane Distribution Network

19 Safety Advantages of Propane Autogas Flammability Range Among alternative fuels, propane has the narrowest flammability range

20 Safety Advantages of Propane Autogas! Requires a higher temperature to ignite than gasoline or diesel fuel! Does not puddle vaporizes and dissipates into the air! Cannot be accidentally ingested

21 Safety Advantages of Propane Autogas! Built-in safety devices and shut-off valves! Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture-resistant than gasoline tanks

22 Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Meet Strict Set of Rules and Requirements! The Department of Transportation! National Highway Traffic Safety Administration! Environmental Protection Agency

23 Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Meet Strict Set of Rules and Requirements! American Society of Mechanical Engineers! National Fire Protection Association! Underwriters Laboratory

24 Technology Enhancements Changing Perceptions! Performance level equal or greater than gasolineand diesel-fueled vehicles! Better system integration! Highly trained mechanics

25 Successful Fleet Initiatives

26 Successful Fleet Initiatives Portland (Ore.) School District Raleigh (N.C.) Police Department Zion (Utah) National Park

27 Successful Fleet Initiatives Portland, Oregon School District

30 years! Owns and operates about 75 buses!

28 Successful Fleet Initiatives Portland, Oregon School District! Portland School District has used propane-autogas-fueled buses for more than 30 years! Owns and operates about 75 buses! In addition, First Student owns and operates a large fleet for the school district

29 Successful Fleet Initiatives Portland, Oregon School District As you can imagine, when you operate as many fleet buses as we do in a large city like Portland, occasionally, accidents are going to happen. I ve been here for six years and I don t know of any propane autogas safety issues that we ve ever encountered as the result of an accident. These buses and their fuel tanks are extremely durable. Eric Stewart, Fleet Service Coordinator Portland, Oregon Public School District

30 Successful Fleet Initiatives Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department Image Courtesy of City of Raleigh

31 Successful Fleet Initiatives Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department! Between 2011 and 2012, the Raleigh Police Department purchased 20 bi-fuel vehicles for its fleet! The police department views propane autogas as a safe, cost-effective fuel that helps them serve and protect their community

32 Successful Fleet Initiatives Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department When we started looking into replacing our patrol cars, we had certain criteria that needed to be met. First and foremost, they needed to be safe. Doug Brugger, Police Captain Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department

33 Successful Fleet Initiatives Zion National Park, Utah

34 Successful Fleet Initiatives Zion National Park, Utah! In 2000, Zion National Park instituted a propane-autogasfueled shuttle bus service! Fleet of 32 buses and 23 passenger trailers! The National Park Service uses propane-autogas-fueled vehicles to reduce pollution

35 Successful Fleet Initiatives Zion National Park, Utah Not only are these buses better for the environment, they re safe. We transport approximately 3.4 million people with them each year and they ve proven to be as durable as gasoline- or diesel-fueled busses. Jack Burns, Concessions Management Chief Zion National Park, Utah

36 Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know

37 Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Propane vehicles, if they re handled and maintained properly, are very safe and they offer a lot of benefits to fleet users. However, since the fuel has different characteristics than gasoline or diesel, it s important to understand those differences. James Mays Jr., Vice President and Interior Firefighter, Sheridan Fire Department, New York

38 Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know! Propane properties! Vehicle identification! Vehicle components! Fuel lines, tanks, mounting systems and brackets! Approaching and assessing an incident! Risk assessment, types of leaks, extrication

39 Propane Properties! Tasteless, colorless, and naturally odorless! Propane manufacturers add odorant (ethyl mercaptan)! Capable of being either liquid or gas; in ambient conditions, it is a gas! Flammability range of 2.2 percent to 9.6 percent! Approximate ignition temperature of 920 degrees Fahrenheit! If liquid propane leaks, it will vaporize and dissipate into the air (will not puddle)

40 Propane Properties! Stored and transported as a liquid (under pressure) and can vaporize under the proper conditions! Vaporizes at approximately -44 degrees Fahrenheit! One cubic foot of propane will boil off (expand) into 270 feet of vapor! If liquid propane contacts skin, immediate frostbite results

41 Vehicle Identification! Propane identification decals are mounted on the lower right rear of the vehicle (above the bumper)! Decal is black, diamond shaped with a luminous light silver or white border, and with the word PROPANE

42 Vehicle Components! Fuel tank! Fuel tank mounting and bracket system! Fuel system and line

43 Fuel Tanks! Built in several shapes and sizes! Installed in a variety of locations (depending on the type of vehicle)! Vehicles may have more than one tank! Tanks rated for 312 psig! Pressure-relief valves vent to outside of vehicle! 20 times more puncture-resistant than a gas tank! Equipped with manual shutoff, excess flow, and automatic closure features

44 Fuel Tanks! The location of manual shutoff valves are typically marked on many vehicles

45 Fuel Tank Durability Propane tanks are more durable than gasoline or diesel tanks. If in the rare instance a tank were to get punctured as the result of an accident, it doesn t mean that the vehicle would explode like you might see in a Hollywood movie. James Mays, Jr., Vice President and Interior Firefighter Sheridan Fire Department, New York Click link below to play video

46 Fuel Tanks Potential for BLEVE! Propane liquid expands 1.5 times for every 10 degree rise in temperature in a pressurized tank or vessel! Potential for BLEVE to occur if external fire causes extreme heat and pressure build-up! Built-in safeguards exist to reduce risk of BLEVE! Pressure relief valves! Tanks manufactured to withstand high pressure! Cooling tank with water helps to reduce internal temperature and pressure build-up

47 Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems! Fuel tanks can be mounted inside or outside of a vehicle! Typical exterior mounts include:! Pickup truck bed! Under a flat or stake bed of a truck! Along the frame rails of a truck or bus! Typical interior mounts include:! Trunk of a passenger car (e.g., taxi and police car)! Rear of a van, minivan, or SUV! Must be installed with protective enclosure to prevent leaks to passenger compartment! All tanks must be protected to prevent damage from objects encountered on roadways

48 Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Enlarged View! Exterior mount on pickup truck bed Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech

49 Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Enlarged View! Exterior mount on DRW cabin chassis Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech

50 Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Enlarged View! Interior mount in van Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech

51 Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems! Larger vehicles and buses may have bracket systems! Buses utilize a bracket system that provides added protection! Tanks located between bus frame rails

52 Fuel Systems and Lines! Two types of fuel systems 1.! Vapor fuel injection system!stored in tank in liquid form at low pressure!passes through fuel line to engine, converted to vapor by a regulator!vapor mixes with air and enters combustion chamber!similar to a traditional vehicle carburetor system

53 Fuel Systems and Lines 2.! Liquid fuel injection system!new and popular technology!liquid propane is directly injected into the combustion chamber!improves engine durability and power output Image courtesy of Roush CleanTech

54 Fuel Systems and Lines! Propane autogas fuel lines are typically routed through the vehicle in the same location as the original factory fuel lines! Fuel lines are typically made of stainless steel to handle the varying temperatures and pressures of liquid propane! An automatic shutoff valve prevents the flow of fuel to the engine when it is not running, even if the ignition switch is in the on position

55 Vehicle Refueling! Distinct differences in propane autogas dispensing systems! Sealed systems! Operate under higher pressure! Above-ground storage! Tanks filled to 80% to allow expansion

56 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Emergency Responders! Helmet! Eye protection! Self-contained breathing apparatus! Turnout pants and coat! Leather gloves! Boots

57 Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident! Teamwork and communication are essential for an effective operation! Risk assessment is a critical first step! Treat each incident and situation as unique! Park apparatus approximately 100 feet away! Approach vehicle from upwind and uphill! Determine if the vehicle is fueled with propane! Check right rear of vehicle for diamond label

58 Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident! Determine if there is a propane leak! Use gas indicators or detectors if they are available! Do you smell or hear gas?! Where is the leak located?! Liquid or vapor?! Isolate fuel from potential ignition sources! Never walk through a propane vapor cloud

59 Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident! If the vehicle is on fire, identify the source and area of concentration! Is it electrical or engine fire? Does it involve propane?! If safe to do so, allow fire to burn itself out while protecting exposures! When necessary, use water to extinguish fire! Approach vehicle with an extended and charged hose! Cool down the tank as soon as possible! Direct water to the top of tanks

60 Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident! How much time do you have to extricate passengers?! Each situation is unique! Use of Jaws of Life and other cutting tools! Know the location of vehicle components!tanks!fuel lines!manual shutoff valves

61 Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident It s difficult to change a perception without first understanding the facts. Through public education and quality training, emergency responders and citizens in our communities can see the benefits of propane autogas and understand that it is safe. Mark Holloway, Volunteer Fire Chief West I-10 Fire Department, Texas

62 Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident! Summary! Teamwork and communication is critical at the scene of the incident! Each situation is unique! Important to understand the basic principles and properties of propane! Proper training will help emergency responders effectively handle propane autogas vehicle incidents

63 Resources

64 Propane Autogas Resources This Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)-sponsored website provides information on the several different types of propane-autogas-fueled vehicles (and other types of propane equipment), fueling with propane autogas, adoption incentives, and propane autogas webinars. This PERC website provides information and training dates for the Propane Emergencies program. The U.S. Department of Energy s Alternative Fuels Data Center website delivers information on various alternative-fueled vehicles, including those fueled by propane autogas.

Propane Autogas Resources http://www.collinsbus.

bus fueled by propane autogas. http://www.roushcleantech.

65 Propane Autogas Resources The Collins Bus Corporation website provides information about the many buses it manufactures, including the first developed Type A NEXBUS school bus fueled by propane autogas. Calculate your emissions savings with propane autogas, view products, and learn why propane autogas is the fuel choice for progressive companies such as ROUSH. The Blue Bird website contains information about the different types of buses it manufactures and the affordable green solutions its propane-autogas-fueled buses offer.

68 Please contact us with any further questions or comments: ProGas Inc Evans City Road Zelienople, PA

PROPANE AUTOGAS. A Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles

PROPANE AUTOGAS. A Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles PROPANE AUTOGAS A Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles, if handled and maintained properly, are very safe, and they offer a lot of benefits