The above NO O PD sticker is available at;
http://ww w.pbase.com/image/75453477

What follows is a draft of an email and the reply to it, that I had sent to the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA), concerning the prob lems that some Bluebird W anderlodge ow ners including myself have encou ntered ingetting the propane tanks installed on our Bluebird Wanderlodge filled at some Propane filling stations
throughout the country.
I have also included in this file some excerpts and URL links from different web sites that concern this topic. I am
also in the process of having a sticker similar to the one above made, that can be placed in such a manner onthese tanks, so that the Propane filling station attendant can see that this code does not apply to the tank.
The spelling in Mr. Lem off’s rep ly to my email enquiry, is his ow n. I have not edified the co ntent other than tohighlight the text that refers to the Propane tanks installed on our Bluebird Wanderlodges.

Dear Mr. Finn,
This is in response to y our question on NFP A 58 , regarding filling of RV propo ane fuel containers. The OPD exemption you
refer to applies to cylinders, and not permanenty installed engine fue and mobile containers. I refer you to Chapter 11, Engine
Fuel Systems. Pa ragraph 11 .4.1.13 states: 11.4.1.13 Containers fabricated after January 1, 1984, for use as engine fuelcontainers on vehicles shall be equipped or fitted with an overfilling prevention device.
11.4.1.14 Where an overfilling prevention device is installed on the conta iner or exterior of the compartm ent and remote fillingis used, a double backflow check valve shall be installed in the container fill valve opening.
11.4.1.15 Where an overfilling prevention device is installed on an engine fuel container, venting of gas through a fixedmaximum liquid level gauge during normal filling shall not be required.
Any RV with a permanently installed propoane continer manufactured in 1984 or later will have an OPD installed, and can be
filled. Permanently installed continers manufactured before1984 are not required to have an OPD. To summarize, the OPD
requirements that have been publicised are for Cylinders only, and not for permanetly installed RV containers.
This correspondence is not a Formal Interpretation issued pursuant to NFPA Reg ulations. Any opinion expressed is the
personal opinion of the author, and does not necessarily represent the official position of the NFPA or its TechnicalCommittees. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should be relied upon, to provide professional
consultation services.
Very truly yours,
Theodore C. Lemo ff
Staff Liaison

From : Maynard, M ary
Sent: Mon 3/5/2007 8:27 AM
To: N FPA58@ nfpa.org
Subject: FW: RV PROPANE TAN K CODESFrom : IAM FLAG MA N@ aol.com [mailto:IAMFL AG MA N@ aol.com ]Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 9:44 PM
To: M aynard, Mary
Subject: RV PROPAN E TANK COD ES

My nam e is John Finn and I'm a m oderator on an Internet forum for the Bluebird Wanderlodge M otorcoachowners at; http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge/
One of the questions that comes up every so often is some of our members are having a difficult time getting
their over 40 gallon, not 40 pound sized propane tanks filled.
I have gone to your web site for the code:
http://www.nfpa.org/freecodes/free_access_document.asp
Review NFPA 58: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, 2004 Edition online
I can't find the actual section that covers w hat I und erstand is an OP D exem ption for the prop ane tanks that are
horizontally mounted permanently on our Wanderlodge. I have found this information with a reference to THE
CODE on w eb sites such as;
http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?p ageid=534
Which says;
Q: I have a horizontal cylinder on my recreational vehicle. Are OPD's available for that kind of service? :A: The 2001 edition of NFPA 58 (the LP-Gas Co de) reco gnizes that horizontally oriented cylinders that were
manufactured prior to October 1, 1998, are unable to be retrofitted with the OPD's. As a result of this fact, theCode now exem pts these cylinders from having to be retrofit with OPD valves. Any such cylinder must have alabel affixed to it to inform the user an d the refiller that an O PD valve is no t installed.
Could you please tell me where to actually find this information in the code. I will then place the URL link to that
section of the code in our files for our members to read. I understand that I cannot copy and paste any portion of
the online version of the code, is there anywh ere that I can obtain just that section of the code that pertains to
the tanks on our Wanderlodge's. We would like to carry a copy of this section with us, to show to the propane
suppliers that are refusing to fill our tanks without the OPD's installed.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
John Finn
Forum Moderator
Wanderlodges Owners Group
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/wanderlodge/'82 35FCRBBLUEBIRD WANDERLODGESTO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS " REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINARV camping w isdom from the experts at KOA.
Important Information On Your RV Propane Tank
Is it time to retire your propane tank?
Beginning April 1, you will no longer be able to get your small propane tank refilled without an overfilling
protection device (OPD) installed.
This means anyone with a tank manufactured before Oct. 1, 1998 will have to have the tank valve unit replaced,or purchase a new tank. The new rules apply to all small propane tanks with a capacity of from 4 pounds up to 40
pou nds o f propane. Those tanks are common on gas grills and recreational vehicles.
The overfilling protection device is being required in order to comply with national fire and safety standards.
There are limits on how much propane can be put into a cylinder. A properly filled cylinder will have a vapor
space left at the top to allow room for expan sion o f the liquid w hen a change in tem perature occurs. The O PD isa secondary means of insuring that cylinders are not overfilled.
The OPD is needed because overfilled cylinders, when subjected to warmer temperatures, create hazardous
conditions. The pressure relief value may open, discharging propane from the cylinder, or liquid propane may
enter your RV’s piping system, resulting in higher than normal pressures to appliances.
The OPD is basically a value that includes a float inside the tank that will automatically close the cylinder when
the proper level of propane is reached.
You can take your old propane tanks to a propane dealer to have an OPD installed, but due to the cost you may
be better off purchasing a new tank.
If you’re wondering if your current tank has an OPD installed, check the value. If the value has a triangular hand
wh eel that is stamp ed w ith the letters OP D you have an app roved cylinder.

http://w ww.koa.com /familyzo ne/cam ping101/articles/safety_540.htm

OP D's: Information for Consu mers Questions & Answ ers
An Avenue to Greater Safety in the
Use of Propane
This information h as been developed to create a better understanding relative to the in troduction of a new safety
device designed to markedly increase the safe use of small propane cylinders. While an occasionalinconvenience may occur during the transition to a higher level of propane safety for gas grill tanks, etc., it is the
propane industry's desire that the OPD be recognized by consumers for what it really is...a notable advancement
for the safe use of the Exceptional Energy, Prop ane!
Here then, is a listing of answers to consumer's most commonly asked questions. The propane industry hopesthat this inform ation w ill be helpful relative to the purpose and use of the overfilling p revention device.
The OPD
Wh at is an overfilling prevention device?
Wh at does the Code require?
How can an OPD be identified w hen it is installed in a cylinder?
Is an OP D intend ed to be an aid in the filling of a cylinder?
Is the requirem ent for OP D's a mercenary ploy b y those in the propane industry to take advantage of consumer's
pocketbooks?
I have a horizontal cylinder on my recreational vehicle. Are OPD's available for that kind of service? :Wh y do some propane retail marketers fill cylinders that wou ld normally be required to be requalified and havean OPD installed, whereas other marketers require the OPD to be retrofit on the cylinder before they refill it?
If the requirement for a cylinder to be equipped w ith an OPD is not a law in my state, then how can it be enforced
by a propane marketer?
What happ ens if the float breaks off?
In another state I recently had a cylinder filled for my deer hunting camp and they didn't mention anything aboutan OPD. Are there laws different from this state?
Why don't they make one-time-use throw-away grill tanks?
Where can I have m y tank requalified an d a new O PD valve installed ? If you w ill not requalify my tank, then w here
can I buy a new one? W here can I dispose of my old tank?
Roofers and other commercial customers are trying to use OPD equipped tanks on torch applications and they
are not getting an adequate flow through the valve. What can we do about this?

Q: Wh at is an overfilling prevention device?
A: As d efined by the Nation al Fire Protection A ssociation's Pamphlet 58 - LP-Gas Co de, 1998 Edition (Cod e), it
is...'A safety device that is designed to provide an automatic means to prevent the filling of a container in excessof the maximum permitted filling limit.' Typically, the overfilling preven tion d evice will app ear as part of acylinder valve that is installed as a complete unit into the cylinder. The cylinder valve will have either a CGA 791(ACME threads) or a CGA 810 (push-pull, quick disconnect) connection device.
Q. What does the Code require?
A. For propane cylinders* in the 4 lb. through 40 lb. propane capacity range, the Code requires for them to beequipped w ith an OPD, as follows: New cylinders for vapor service which are fabricated after September 30,
1998; as cylinders are requalified after September 30, 1998 throu gh M arch 31, 2002; effective April 1, 2002, before
a cylin der is filled. *All referen ces to 'cylinders' applies to only those in the 4 lb. throu gh 40 lb. propan e cap acity

range. Also, the last page of this docu ment contains information on the service life and inspection of cylinders.
Q: Ho w can an OPD be identified w hen it is installed in a cylinder?
A: Listed (e.g. Underw riters Labo ratories, Inc.) OPD's are easily recognizable by observing their unique trilobular
handwheel. The hand wheel is connected to the valve stem in a tamperproof manner for the purpose reducing
the possibility of putting a user at risk by an attempt to interchange an OPD hand wheel on to a conventional
non-OPD valve. It should be noticed that the valve stem on a non- OPD equipped cylinder is not easily matchedwith a standard trilobular OPD handwheel. Those who fill cylinders should take care in observing whether or nota cylinder that appears to be equip ped w ith an OPD, actually is.
Q:Is an O PD intended to be an aid in the filling of a cylinder?
A: The device is designed to only be a backup in the filling of a cylinder. With an OPD equipped cylinder, thetraditional procedures of filling by the weight or volumetric methods should be followed.
Note - Prior to the Code's requirement for the use of OPD's, early non-uniform valves were introduced into themarketplace. Thousands of these valves had conventional hand wheels and were not marked as now required by
the UL listing. W hile the safety features of these early OP D valves is not being question ed, those who fill small
propane cylinders should be aware of these valves still being in service. In time, through normal attrition, thesefirst generation OPD valves will fade from use by attrition.
Q: Is the requirement for OPD's a mercenary ploy by those in the propane industry to take advantage ofconsumer's pocketbooks?
A: This is a good question and deserves a direct answer which is...no. Those marketers who fill propane
cylinders for customers have had virtually nothing to do with the advent of the OPD. The term 'virtually' is usedas there were a few highly concerned and industry active propane marketers who became involved in resolving
issues which surrounded the advent of OPD's, including a reasonable time frame for the introduction of these
new safety devices into the marketplace.
Q: I have a horizontal cylinder on my recreational vehicle. Are OPD's available for that kind of service? :A: The 2001 ed ition of NFPA 58 (the LP-Gas Co de) recognizes that horizontally oriented cylinders that were
manufactured prior to October 1, 1998, are unable to be retrofitted with the OPD's. As a result of this fact, theCode now exempts these cylinders from having to be retrofit with OPD valves. Any such cylinder must have alabel affixed to it to inform the user and the refiller that an OP D valve is n ot installed.
Q: Why do some propane retail marketers fill cylinders that would normally be required to be requalified andhave an OPD installed, whereas other marketers require the OPD to be retrofit on the cylinder before they refill it?
A: Pro pane marketers of integrity are tho se that care ab out the handlin g and use of cylinders that they refill,knowing that the families of consumers deserve the best and safest service that can be offered. If a propane
marketer elects to do otherwise, that choice speaks for itself. Also keep in mind that some states or jurisdictions
have n ot adopted the 1998 or later editions of NFP A 58.
Q:If the requirement for a cylinder to be equipped with an OPD is not a law in my state, then how can it beenforced by a propane marketer?
A: The Code is not adopted, state-by-state, on a uniform basis. In time, mo st states, if not all, will move toenforce the OP D criteria w hich w as first published in the Code's 1998 edition .
Q: W hat happ ens if the float breaks off?
A: If an OPD is determined to inoperable, it should be replaced.
Q: In another state I recently had a cylinder filled for my deer hunting camp and they didn't mention anything
about an OPD. Are there laws different from this state?
A. The Code is revised by the National Fire Protection Association every three years. Virtually all of the individual
United States of America have adopted the Code as their rules for propane applications, but not necessarily on a
uniform basis as to a particular edition. So, as the OPD requirements first appeared in the 1998 edition of theCode, not all states have updated their propane rules to that edition. Again, it is expected that all cylinders in the
4 lb. through 40 lb. capacity range will eventually be equipped with an OP D.
Q: Why don't they make one-time-use throw-away grill tanks?
A: Propane cylinders are manufactured to a comprehensive specification of the U.S. Department ofTransportation. Because of these strict requirements, a throwaw ay grill tank service would increase consumer
cost to a level that wo uld be unreasonable an d impractical.

Q: Wh ere can I have my tank requalified and a new OPD valve installed? If you will not requalify my tank, thenwhere can I buy a new one? W here can I dispose of my old tank?
A: The propane marketers serving your area should be a reliable source of information to answer questions
regarding the O PD.
Q: Roofers and other commercial customers are trying to use OPD equipped tanks on torch applications andthey are not getting an adequate flow through the valve. What can we do about this?
A: Some of the early OPD valves had an insufficient flow capacity for certain types of service such as
high-pressure torch applications. Market competition has resulted in OPD's becoming available that havesignifican tly greater rates of flow .
©NPG A 2002
http://ww w.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=534

The following draft of another email correspo ndence w ith Mr. Lem off, is in referen ce to a similar pro blem with
the Propane filling station attendant that tells you that the tank on your Bluebird Wanderlodge, is too old andneeds to be re-certified. Again I have not edited the co ntent of his email, but I have highlighted the sections that I
feel are pertaining to our Bluebird Wanderlodge’s.

Mr. Finn,
The propane containers permanently installed on RV’s are built to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,and are not cylinders. There are no recertification requirements in the ASME Co de.
This correspondence is not a Formal Interpretation issued pursuant to NFPA Regulations. Any opinion
expressed is the personal opinion of the author, and does not necessarily represent the official position of the
NFPA or its Technical Committees. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should be relied
upon, to provide professional consultation services.
Very truly yours,
Theod ore C. Lem off
Staff Liaison

From : IAM FLAG MA N@ aol.com [mailto:IAMFL AG MA N@ aol.com ]Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:28 PM
To: Lemoff, Ted
Subject: Re: RV PROPANE TA NK CODES
M r. Lem off,
I want to thank you for you prompt reply I found it very helpful and now I have another question that you may beable to help me with.
Som e of these same prop ane filling stations are refusing to fill the propan e tanks on our older Blu ebird
Wanderlodge's, by determining that the date of manufacture on the onboard tank is too old and it has to be recertified. I have tried to contact propane dealers and rv repair facilities to have a re-certification done on my
onboard 44.5 gallon propane tank and I can't find anybody that knows anything about this topic. Can you please
help u s find a so urce for the re-certification, or clear up any discrep ancies with the co de concerning this top ic.
These onboard tanks on our Bluebird Wanderlodge's are used for heating, cooking and refrigeration purposesand som e have propane powered generators onboard, but they do not have any conn ection w ith the main
engine.
Thank you again,
John Finn--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you would like to read the entire CODE , it can be viewed at the NFPA web site by first going to;
http://ww w.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/list_of_codes_and_standards.asp
Then look under All NFPA Codes and S tandards, then scroll down to find NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Code, then click on NFPA 58. Next scroll down to Additional Information about this document: and click on
Preview this document. Next you will have to click on I AGREE under the Agreement. Next read through the
explanation of the document and then click on Open NFPA 58: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, 2004 Edition, nowa smaller drop dow n box w ill open temporarily until the actual NFPA 58 Liquuefied Petrolium Gas Code-2004
Edition open s up. Now you can use the con trols at the bottom to page through the CODE and tho roughly
con fuse your self, by trying to decipher the CODE for your self.
I have come to the conclusion that after reading these items, our propane tanks permanently installed on our‘Birds do not fall under the codes for RV propane cylinders. I hope that this helps to resolve these issues.

John Finn
‘82FCRB WANDERLODGE