Transfer of diesel fuel

Act 55 of 2008, § 406, under BITUMINOUS COAL MINE SAFETY ACT - ENACTMENT.

Act 55 of 2008, § 406

Section 406. Transfer of diesel fuel.

(a) General rule.--Diesel fuel shall be transferred as provided in this section.

(b) Pump transfers.--When diesel fuel is transferred by means of a pump and a hose equipped with a nozzle containing a self-closing valve, a powered pump may be used only if:

(1) the hose is equipped with a nozzle containing a self-closing valve without a latch-open device; and

(2) the pump is equipped with an accessible emergency shutoff switch.

(c) Compressed gas prohibition.--Diesel fuel shall not be transferred using compressed gas.

(d) Status of diesel engine.--Diesel fuel shall not be transferred to the fuel tank of diesel-powered equipment while the equipment's engine is running.

(e) Dry-system design.--Diesel fuel piping systems shall be designed and operated as dry systems.

(f) Standards for pipes, valves and fittings.--All piping, valves and fittings shall meet the following requirements:

(1) Be capable of withstanding working pressures and stresses.

(2) Be capable of withstanding four times the static pressures.

(3) Be compatible with diesel fuel.

(4) Be maintained in a manner that prevents leakage.

(g) Manual shutoff valves.--Vertical pipelines shall have manual shutoff valves installed at the surface filling point and at the underground discharge point.

(h) Exposed fuel pipelines.--Unburied diesel fuel pipelines shall not exceed 300 feet in length and shall have shutoff valves located at each end of the unburied pipeline.

(i) Horizontal pipeline prohibition.--Horizontal pipelines shall not be used to distribute fuel throughout a mine.

(j) Limitation on piping systems.--Diesel fuel piping systems shall be used only to transport fuel from the surface directly to a single underground diesel fuel transfer point.

(k) Restrictions related to boreholes.--When boreholes are used, the diesel fuel piping system shall not be located in a borehole with electric power cables.

(l) Inspections.--Diesel fuel pipelines located in any shaft shall be included as part of the required examination of the shaft.

(m) Location in entries.--Diesel fuel piping systems located in entries shall not be located on the same side of the entry as electric cables or power lines.

(n) Trolley-haulage limitations.--Diesel fuel pipelines shall not be located in any trolley-haulage entry, except that they may cross the entry perpendicular if buried or otherwise protected from damage and sealed.

(o) Protection.--Diesel fuel piping systems shall be protected to prevent physical damage.