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OAR 837-030 Edits
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837-030-0120
Definitions
837-030-0120
Definitions
(1) For the purpose of these rules, the following definitions apply to OAR 837-030-0100 through 837-030-0280.
(2) Application means the forms required by the State Fire Marshal to be completed and submitted to the State Fire Marshal.
(3(3) Audit is a formal examination of an LPG company's records conducted by the State Fire Marshal to verify that a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) location is in compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, and regulatory requirements.
(4) Bulk Plant is a facility where the primary function is to store
LP-Gas
LPG prior to further distribution.
LP-Gas
LPG is received by cargo tank vehicle, railroad tank car, or pipeline, and then distributed by portable container (package) delivery, by cargo tank vehicle, or through gas piping.
(45) Company License means the same as an Installation License defined in OAR 837-030-0120(1213).
(56) Company Representative means an individual who has passed the installation examination administered by the State Fire Marshal and represents the company at a specific site.
(67) Delivery Unit means any unit that is used to deliver or transport liquefied petroleum gas.
(78) Examination means a document designed to test an applicant's knowledge regarding liquefied petroleum gas, its properties, related equipment and applicable safety regulations.
(89) Fitter License in general means a license issued to an individual who performs
LP-Gas
LPG container and container appurtenance installation or replacement, and or, performs work on liquefied petroleum fuel gas systems including but not limited to,
LP-gas
LPG containers, plumbing and pipe fitting, gas venting, installs, repairs or remodels any piping or venting, installs or repairs, connects, or disconnects any liquefied petroleum gas appliance. The specific types of Fitter Licenses are:
(a) HVAC Fitter — Required for all individuals who install or perform LPG work on HVAC equipment, including hearth products; does not include piping up to the final shut off valve upstream of the equipment (see Master Fitter);
(b) IC Fitter (Internal Combustion) — Required for all individuals who work on LPG fuel systems of LPG powered internal combustion engines;
(c) Master Fitter — Required for all individuals who perform LPG fuel gas plumbing work including but not limited to, fitting or venting work, install or replace
LP-Gas
LPG containers and container appurtenances, install, replace, repair or remodel any
LP-Gas
LPG container, appliance, piping or venting. This license covers all areas of LPG work.
NOTE: Individuals licensed as a fitter prior to May 16, 2005, are considered a Master Fitter.
(910) Individual means one distinct, individual human being. It does not mean person.
(1011) Installation means an
LP-Gas
LPG container or containers set on a specific customer property with the intent of supplying fuel gas to utilization equipment.
(1112) Installer means, a licensed company who provides a licensed individual making the connection from an installation to a
LP-Gas
LPG fuel gas system and who conducts required leak testing and ensures the installation and piping system are in compliance to applicable codes and standards.
(1213) Installation License means a license issued to a company or business (hereinafter referred to as a Company License) that engages in or works at the business of installing
LP-Gas
LPG containers and container appurtenances, installing extending, altering or repairing any liquefied petroleum fuel gas systems including but not limited to, gas appliances or piping, vent or flue connection pertaining to or in connection with liquefied petroleum gas installations. This includes the operation of delivery equipment on motorized vehicles.
(1314) License means the official written permission granted by the State Fire Marshal for the purpose of working in the liquefied petroleum gas business.
(1415) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) means any liquid composed predominately of any of the following hydrocarbons or mixtures of the same: Propane, propylene, butanes (normal butane or isobutene) and butylenes.
(15(16) Location means any physical site or facility operated by an LPG company where regulated activities occur; this may include but is not limited to offices, storage yards (bulk yards), or physical site where employees report for work.
(17) NFPA means the National Fire Protection Association.
(1618) NFPA 54 means National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA) 54 National Fuel Gas Code 2021 Edition, unless otherwise specified.
(1719) NFPA 58 means National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA) 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code 2020 Edition, unless otherwise specified.
(18)
20) NFPA 1192 means National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA) 1192 Standard on Recreational Vehicles 2021 Edition, unless otherwise specified.
(19(21) Notice and Order of Correction (NOC) means a written notice issued by the State Fire Marshal to a Company Representative identifying specific violations of applicable statutes, rules, or requirements and establishes a date the violations must be abated.
(22) Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC) means the 2023 edition of the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, unless otherwise specified.
(2023) Oregon Fire Code (OFC) means the 2022 edition of the Oregon Fire Code as adopted by the Oregon State Fire Marshal, unless otherwise specified.
(2124) Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC) means the 2022 edition of the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code, unless otherwise specified.
(2225) Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) means the 2021 edition of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, unless otherwise specified.
(2326) Person means one or more individuals, legal representatives, partnerships, joint ventures, associations, corporations (whether or not organized for profit), business trusts, or any organized group of persons and includes the state, state agencies, counties, municipal corporations, school districts and other public corporations or subdivisions.
(24(27) Probation means a temporary status imposed on a license by the State Fire Marshal following failure to abate violations. During probation, the location remains licensed but is subject to increased oversight and specific conditions, which must be met within a designated timeframe.
(28) Probationary Period means the time after employment start date to consist of 60 days on the job training, hereafter referred to as “Training Period."
(29) Suspension means the temporary removal of the authority to conduct regulated actions under one or more licenses, due to failure to comply with the terms of probation or continued noncompliance with regulatory requirements.
(30) "Tank" means any vessel, container, or cylinder designed for the storage, transportation, or use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
(31) Training Period means the same as probationary period as defined by OAR 837-030-0180.
(32) Truck Equipment Operator License means a license issued to an individual who operates liquefied petroleum gas delivery equipment installed on a motorized vehicle.
837-030-0140
(33) Revocation means the formal termination of one or more licenses issued by the State Fire Marshal due to failure to resolve violations after probation or suspension. Revocation prohibits the Person or company from engaging in any regulated LPG activities at the affected location.
837-030-0140
Licenses Required
(1) A company license is required for any company engaged in the business of installing, extending, altering or repairing any liquefied petroleum fuel gas system including but not limited to gas appliances or piping, vent or flue connection pertaining to or in connection with liquefied petroleum gas installations, and includes the installation of
LP-Gas
LPG containers, container appurtenances and the operation of delivery equipment on motorized vehicles.
(2) A fitter license is required for any individual performing the installation or replacement of LPG containers, container appurtenances and or performs work on LPG fuel gas systems including but not limited to liquefied petroleum gas fitting, venting, installation or repair or remodel to any piping or venting, installs or repairs, connects, or disconnects any liquefied petroleum gas appliance.
(3) A Truck Equipment Operator license is required for any individual who operates liquefied petroleum gas delivery equipment installed on a motorized vehicle.
(4) Any individual required to have a fitter or truck equipment operator license is also required to have an installation license unless the individual is an employee of an employer who has a company license.
(5) Company licenses are not transferable. When a company transfers ownership, the new company must complete the licensing process the same as any other new company.
(6) Fitter and truck equipment operator licensees may transfer from licensed company to licensed company without relicensing if the license has not expired.
(7) Company representatives may transfer their company representative status from licensed company to licensed company without re-testing if their existing license has not expired.
837-030-0150
(8) When an LPG business ceases operations the State Fire Marshal shall be notified.
(9) Examples of a business ceasing to exist include but are not limited to:
(a) Selling
(b) Closing
(c) Merging
837-030-0150
Company License (Company Representative)
(1) Each company business or dealership location must obtain a separate company license.
(2) A separate company license is not needed for dispatch centers.
(3) Each location must have a company representative unique to that location.
(4) To qualify the company for a company license, an individual company representative at each location and unique to that location must pass an examination, as detailed in OAR 837-030-0190, and administered by the State Fire Marshal, with a score of 80 percent or more of the questions answered correctly.
(5) If the company representative transfers or resigns employment with the company, the company must notify the State Fire Marshal, in writing, within two weeks of the transfer or resignation.
(6) The new company representative must meet examination requirements within 60 calendar days of the last date of employment of the preceding company representative.
(7(7) The Company Representative must ensure that the company location remains in compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, and regulatory requirements at all times.
(8) Exceptions to this requirement for a company license are as follows:
(a) This rule does not apply to liquefied petroleum gas installations made in a manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle when those installations are made during the construction of the manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle.
(b) This rule does not apply to warranty work for liquefied petroleum gas installations in a manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle so long as the work performed falls in the scope of the original manufacturer's warranty issued at the time the home or recreational vehicle was manufactured.
(c) This rule does not apply to a person who holds a valid journeyman plumber's certificate that was issued under ORS 693.060 or who is in an approved journeyman plumber apprenticeship established under ORS 660.
837-030-0160
Fitter License
837-030-0160
Fitter License
(1) Any individual performing liquefied petroleum gas fitting, venting, installation or repair must obtain a fitter license.
(2) To qualify for a fitter license, an individual must pass a written examination, as detailed in OAR 837-030-0190, and administered by the State Fire Marshal, with a score of 80 percent or more of the questions answered correctly.
(3) An individual may work
under probationary status
within a Training Period only as detailed in OAR 837-030-0180.
(4) A fitter may transfer their license to another company.
(5) The State Fire Marshal must be notified in writing within two weeks of employment by the new company that the fitter's license is to be transferred.
(6) Exceptions to this requirement for a fitter license are as follows:
(a) This rule does not apply to individuals who perform liquefied petroleum gas installations made in a manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle when those installations are made during the construction of the manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle.
(b) This rule does not apply to individuals who perform warranty work for liquefied petroleum gas installations in a manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle so long as the work performed falls in the scope of the original manufacturer's warranty issued at the time the home or recreational vehicle was manufactured.
(c) This rule does not apply to an individual who holds a valid journeyman plumber's certificate issued under ORS 693.060 or who is in an approved journeyman plumber apprenticeship established under ORS 660, when installing piping. If a journeyman plumber intends to install an
LP gasLPG container or make any connection to an
LP gas
LPG container, the journeyman plumber must first obtain a fitter license through the State Fire Marshal.
837-030-0170
837-030-0170
Truck Equipment Operator License
(1) Any individual operating liquefied petroleum gas delivery equipment installed on a motorized vehicle must obtain a truck equipment operator license.
(2) To qualify for a truck equipment operator license, an individual must pass a written examination, as detailed in OAR 837-030-0190, and administered by the State Fire Marshal, with a score of 80 percent or more of the questions answered correctly.
(3) An individual may work
under probationary status
within a Training Period only as detailed in OAR 837-030-0180.
(4) A truck equipment operator may transfer their license to another company.
(5) The State Fire Marshal must be notified in writing within two weeks of employment by the new company that the truck equipment operator's license is to be transferred.
837-030-0180
Probationary Status (On-the-Job Training)
837-030-0180
Training Period
(1) Individuals who desire to obtain a fitter or truck equipment operator license may work up to 60 days of
on-the-job traininga Training Period.
(2) The 60 days of training consist of actual work days. (For the purposes of tracking an individual's
probationary statusTraining Period, work days are considered to be Monday through Friday unless the company submits documentation to the State Fire Marshal of another work schedule.)
(3)
On-the-job trainingThe Training Period for fitters must be under the supervision of a licensed fitter.
(4)
On-the-job trainingThe Training Period for truck equipment operators must be under the supervision of a licensed truck equipment operator.
(5) Individuals
receiving on-the-job training must pass the written examination required under OAR 837-030-0190 and obtain the required license after not more than 60 days
probationary period
of
on-the-job training Training Period.
(6) Any individual who exceeds the 60
days probationary status timeday Training Period, and has not yet obtained their fitter or truck equipment operator license, must immediately cease working as a fitter or truck equipment operator until such time as they have obtained the required license.
837-030-0210
837-030-0210
License
Probation, Suspension, Revocation,
Suspension or Denial
(1) The State Fire Marshal may revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue or renew a license required under ORS 480.410 to 480.460. Any such revocation, suspension, or refusal to issue must be in conformance with ORS 183.310 to 183.550. Valid cause exists for the revocation, suspension, or refusal to issue a license when any of the following occur:
(a) The licensee or applicant deliberately falsifies an application for an examination or license;
(b) Has committed a violation of ORS 162.305;
(c) Has failed to comply with any provision of ORS 480.410 to 480.460;
(d) Has failed to comply with any provision of OAR 837-030-0100 through 837-030-0280;
(e) Has failed to maintain the status required under ORS 480.434; or
(f) Has violated any other provision of the liquefied petroleum gas statutes, administrative rules, or applicable fire and life safety standards.
(2)
Probation
(a) The State Fire Marshal may impose probation on a licensee due to non‑compliance.
(b) The licensee will be notified of their probationary status through a written probation notice issued by the State Fire Marshal. The notice will include the specific reason or reasons for the probation. The probation notice will establish the timeline for the abatement necessary to remove the probationary status and the requirements the licensee must meet to regain compliance.
(c) Probationary status ends upon issuance of a formal written notice from the State Fire Marshal. This notice will be sent to the licensee when either the licensee has met all requirements established in the probation notice; or the licensee has failed to meet the established requirements within the allotted timeline.
(d) Probation shall not exceed 12 months from the starting date indicated on the probation notice.
(e) Failure to comply with the terms of probation may result in suspension or revocation of the license.
(3) Suspension
(a) The State Fire Marshal may suspend a license due to repeated non‑compliance or failure to complete the requirements of probation.
(b) During a Suspension, some or all regulated LPG activities must cease until the suspension is lifted as determined by the State Fire Marshal.
(c) The licensee will be notified of the license suspension through a written notice issued by the State Fire Marshal. The notice will include the specific reason or reasons for the suspension. The suspension notice will establish the terms of the suspension, the allowed timeline for abatement, and the requirements the licensee must meet to regain compliance.
(d) The license suspension ends upon issuance of a formal written notice from the State Fire Marshal. This notice will be sent to the licensee when either the licensee has met all requirements established in the Suspension Notice; or the licensee has failed to meet the established requirements within the allotted timeline.
(e) Failure to comply with the terms of suspension may result in denial or revocation of the license.
(4) Revocation/Denial
(a) The period of denial, or revocation or suspension
may not exceed three (3) years if the circumstances of the licensee's or applicant's failure to comply with applicable laws and rules pertaining to liquefied petroleum gas presented a significant hazard or other public danger.
(3b) Licenses are the property of the State Fire Marshal and must be surrendered upon request of the State Fire Marshal or a State Fire Marshal assistant.
837-030-0240
(c) Before revoking or denying a license issued under OAR 837-030-0200, the State Fire Marshal will give prior notice to the licensee and offer the opportunity for a hearing. If requested, the hearing will be conducted as contested case proceedings pursuant to ORS 183.413 to 183.470.
(d) The State Fire Marshal will give appropriate notice of appeal rights under ORS 183.500.
(e) Judicial review of a final order issued after a hearing requested under this rule will be as provided in ORS 183.480 to 183.497 for judicial review of contested cases.
(f) Where customer lists have been submitted to the State Fire Marshal during enforcement or appeal proceedings, the State Fire Marshal will treat the list as confidential to the extent allowed by law.
837-030-0240
Reporting Tank Installations
(1) The State Fire Marshal must be notified by the last day of each month by the installing company of all new liquefied petroleum gas tank installations made during the preceding month. New installations include tank replacements.
(2) United States Post Office postmark date
or the State Fire Marshal received date will be used to determine the reporting date. If the last day of a month falls on a day when a postmark cannot be obtained, notification must be postmarked on the preceding business day when a postmark can be obtained.
(3)
NotificationTank installation notices must be made on
a form (Notice of Installation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Tank)forms provided by the State Fire Marshal and
(a) Customer name and contact phone number for whom the tank was installed;
(b) Address where tank was installed;
(c) County of installation;
(d) Date tank was installed;
(e) Water capacity of tank;
(f) Tank serial number;
(g) Signature of fitter who installed tank and their fitter license number;
(h) Name of company installing tank and their company license number;
(i) A site map providing detailed directions to the tank location.
(4) Tank installation notices must be accompanied by a summary sheet that details the number and size of tanks installed during the preceding month.
(5) The company representative must sign the summary sheet verifying the information is correct.
(6) Installation notices for tanks installed underground must be accompanied by a tank underground worksheet.
(7) LP-Gas
(4) LPG containers, including customer owned containers, that have not been reported as specified in ORS 480.450 shall not be filled or refilled.
(85) The appropriate tank installation fees must accompany the tank installation notices and summary sheet. The fee for the liquefied petroleum gas program is located in Oregon Revised Statute as follows: ORS 480.450 Notice of new installations; inspection fees; inspections after original inspection; notice of changes; correction of improper installations required.
[ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available from the agency.]
837-030-0275
Audits
(1) The State Fire Marshal may conduct record audits of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) companies that operate in the State of Oregon, to determine if that location is in compliance with the provisions of ORS 480.410 to 480.460 and any applicable rule adopted by the State Fire Marshal.
(2) The State Fire Marshal or the designated agents may conduct audits for the following purposes including but not limited to:
(a) Verify compliance with all licensing requirements;
(b) Verify compliance with tank installation reporting requirements;
(c) Verify delivery units are in compliance;
(d) Verify a violation that was ordered on a Notice and Order of Correction has been abated; or
(e) Verify a violation that was ordered on a Probationary notice or Suspension notice has been abated.
(3) The State Fire Marshal may provide as much as four weeks or more advance notice of an audit, and the company will be given no less than two-week advance notice of an audit.
(4) If, in the opinion of the State Fire Marshal, there is compelling information that a location or company is intentionally not complying with any provision of ORS 480.410 through 480.460 or OAR 837-030-0100 through 837-030-0280, the State Fire Marshal may conduct an audit at any time and with less than two weeks' notice. The State Fire Marshal must be able to show that such an audit is justified and will coordinate with the Company Representative to mitigate the impact to the location and so they may be reasonably prepared.
(5) The audits may be remote or at the location.
(6) At the time of the audit, and upon request, the Company Representative must provide the following information to OSFM:
(a) A list of all current employees, job titles, licenses held, license numbers, license expiration dates and description of duties, in a format approved by the State Fire Marshal;
(b) A list of all customers and tank installations within a timeframe determined by OSFM but not more than 10 years prior, on a form provided by the State Fire Marshal.
(7) The initial audit may consist of reviewing up to 24 months of tank installation files. If during the audit, a frequent or consistent pattern of non-compliance is identified, up to 10 years of additional tank installation files may be requested for review.
(8) If at the time of the audit it is found the LPG location is not in compliance with any of the requirements, the State Fire Marshal shall issue a Notice and Order of Correction to the Company Representative.
(9) The NOC will, at a minimum, contain the following information:
(a) The company name;
(b) The address of the location;
(c) The specific requirement the Company / Location is not in compliance with;
(d) The date by which the violations must be abated.
(10) The violations ordered to be abated must be completed or corrected by the date established on the NOC to be no longer than 60 days.
(11) The Company Representative may request additional time to make the corrections. Such a request must be made in writing. A request submitted by electronic mail will be considered as a written request.
(a) The request must be made prior to the abatement due date established in the NOC.
(b) At the discretion of the State Fire Marshal an extension may be given for just cause which will establish a new date abatement must be accomplished by. Additional extensions may be granted if, in the opinion of the State Fire Marshal, the circumstances warrant it.
(12) If the violation is not abated by the date specified on the NOC, the location may be placed into Probation.
(13) Failure to fulfill the terms and conditions of the Probation may result in the Suspension of one or more licenses issued to that location or regulated activities.
(14) If the conditions of the NOC, Probation, or Suspension are not resolved to the satisfaction of the State Fire Marshal by the specified deadlines, the location may be subject to license Revocation.
Rulemaking Activity
- Planned rule amendments to add audits to the LPG program.
- Rulemaking Advisory Committee Meeting #1 Minutes
- Rulemaking Advisory Committee Meeting #2
Minutes
- Rulemaking Advisory Committee Meeting #3: 3/11/25 from 9-11:45 at OSFM 3991 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE, Salem.
-
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Public Participation
Written Comments
During the first Public Hearing on 1/20/2026 OSFM received written and verbal comment. Those comments shared many of the same comments and concerns. OSFM has taken those concerns and addressed them individually below. In addition to this public response OSFM met with the LPG industry on an individual and group basis to work through the concerns. The final proposed rule amendments are based on those conversations, and an additional public hearing has been set (see date/time above).
- Tank installation data being released to the public or competitors.
- Legal Review supports redacting customer information. OSFM has changed its policies and procedures to redact any customer information from public records requests.
- Concerns regarding the integrity and accuracy of the OSFM Database.
- Auditing process will provide opportunity to validate both OSFM and operator data. Additionally, audits will include reviewing all available information to ensure accuracy and correct reporting.
- Having to report and pay for unreported customer-owned tanks (COTs) installed by a different company.
- This is not a change in the rules. Tanks must be reported so they may be inspected.
- As audits are conducted, it is expected there will be less unreported tanks over time.
- Concerns about the financial burden of hosting an audit and providing the documents needed.
- We acknowledge this concern and have discussed other options with industry for conducting the audits and the number of records to review.
- Records audited will be initially limited to the past 24 months. This was added to the proposed rules in response to this concern.
- OSFM has developed and communicated a program for self-auditing to allow companies to limit the potential impact of an OSFM Audit.
- OSFM is delaying the initiation of the Audits to allow time for self-auditing to occur.
- How will OSFM handle multiple companies submitting the same addresses and serial numbers? Incorrect Serial Numbers (o vs 0 or 5 vs s)
- OSFM has created a public tank look up tool for companies to search for an address / serial number combination to ensure it has been reported before the company commences service.
- If an address and serial combination have been previously reported; no installation notice is due. The record of report (serial and address combination) stays in the OSFM records indefinitely.
- OSFM tools accommodate for common issues in Serial # like “o vs 0 or 5 vs s”.
- The rule amendment states that the State Fire Marshal may conduct audits without notice to the propane company.
- OSFM policy and practice will be that we do give notice and work with the operator to establish what that will be. This requirement for OSFM to notify prior to an audit has been added to the proposed rules.
- OSFM needs the capability to not give notice for extreme cases of non-compliance. Situations where OSFM will be allowed to complete a no-notice audit have been added to the proposed rules.
- The proposed rule amendment says a tank set notice must be submitted for all tank sets, including temporary sets.
- This has always been a requirement in Statute. Nothing regarding this is changing in the proposed amendments.
- No Statutory Authority
- ORS establishes tanks must be reported, that OSFM shall inspect a reasonable number of tanks, and that OSFM can adopt rules.
- Reporting ensures each tank could be inspected, OSFM needs the ability to verify each has been reported. Conducting audits provides that ability.
- Therefore, we have authority to adopt rules to conduct audits, to meet the intent of the statute.
- 10-Year Reference is Inspection Specific, not audit.
- Statute says tanks may be inspected once every ten years and upon request company shall furnish a list of the locations of 10-year-old installations that they service.
- Therefore, it is logical to potentially audit up to ten years of installations.
- We have added to the proposed rule amendments a limitation on what is reviewed during an initial audit. For the initial audit up to 24 months of tank data may be requested, and additional auditing up to 10 years of tank data if consistent non-compliance is discovered.