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Community Distribution Systems: Resources for Developers & Marketers
Community propane systems provide a versatile, scalable source of gas for residential communities. Developers and builders across the country have successfully implemented community systems to provide access to in-demand amenities, make their homes more competitive, or avoid prohibitively expensive costs for natural gas lines.
Texas is one of the states with the highest number of propane community systems with over 70 systems in the Lone Star State, from residential resort neighborhoods like the Reserve at Lake Travis in Spicewood, Texas, to energy efficient neighborhoods like the Meadowcreek subdivision in College Station.
The Propane Education & Research has created several resources for marketers who are interested in pitching builders and developers with a jurisdictional system or even learning more about this aspect of the business.
The Ultimate Guide to Community Propane Systems.
PERC’s latest e-book collects our most valuable resources and case studies on propane community system in a comprehensive format that makes it easy to evaluate this option and share with your construction and development partners. Whether you’re evaluating the marketing and revenue opportunities or want to learn more about how the systems work, this e-book is the perfect place to start.
Resources for Builders in Large Scale Residential Develop
ments. Propane in Residential Developments: A Guide for Builders is a guide for regional and national builders explaining why propane’s versatility makes it an ideal energy solution. The guide provides the information builders need to make smart energy decisions for large scale developments. The brochure is less about community systems in more about why propane makes sense these larger neighborhoods.
GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS A WHOLE-HOME ENERGY UPGRADE
THE PROPANE CONSTRUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM
An all-propane home offers a total home energy upgrade that combines high-efficiency propane gas appliances to meet a home’s major energy needs and delivers superior comfort and efficiency compared with all-electric homes. Not system is, and the benefits to both builders and homeowners.
only is it good for homeowners, it’s good for builders, too. All-propane homes, on average, are valued up to five percent higher than all-electric homes. On top of a higher sale price for an all-propane home, you could also receive up to $1,500 for each home built with qualified propane appliances, for up to five homes per year — that’s up to $7,500 annually. To learn more and to apply for the incentive, visit Propane.com/ConstructionIncentive.
EXPLORE THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY PROPANE SYSTEMS
comfort, performance, and reliability of propane, with a community propane system. Contact us to learn more about the benefits to both builders and homeowners.
THE PROPANE EDUCATION & RESEARCH COUNCIL 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1075 / Washington, DC 20036 / P 202-452-8975 / F 202-452-9054 / Propane.com
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SEE THE PERFORMANCE. NOT THE TANKS.
PROPANE CAN DO THAT
community propane systems
Community System Brochure. While the above two are more comprehensive with larger page numbers, this downloadable brochure is more concise and explains what a community propane Create a more attractive community and give your homeowners the premium
Additional resources. PERC has infographics, fact sheets, direct mailer and videos on propane community systems to educate the builder. PERC’s brief but succinct video, Introduction to Community Propane Systems is a great marketing tool to give developers insight into this solution.
Although these tools are not available in print, they are downloadable and can be emailed and shared with builders and developers.
More educational and marketing information. PERC has centered a majority of their information on propane community stems on their website at https://propane.com/for-my-business/residential-construction/community-propane-systems/ and additional propane community system materials can be found on the Propane Resource Catalog.
Training. Through its Propane Training Academy, PERC has developed a one-hour training course provides in-depth insight on the use cases for community propane systems and the key operational features that make them a viable alternative to using natural gas.
Regulations & Guidance. Of course, with these systems, there are some additional regulations. Members of the Texas Propane Gas Association and National Propane Gas Association can rely on the association to help them navigate these state and federal regulations.
Employee Safety: Water, Rest, Shade
It’s no secret that Texas tends to be on the hot side in August (and even September). With temperatures breaking the century mark in mid-July, it’s a good time to review your strategy and resources to keep folks who work outside safe.
Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. There are a range of heat illnesses and they can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition.
Employer Responsibility to Protect Workers
Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat. An employer with workers exposed to high temperatures should establish a complete heat illness prevention program. • Provide workers with water, rest and shade. • Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize, or build a tolerance for working in the heat. • Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention. • Monitor workers for signs of illness.
ASME Tank Trim
Liquid Withdrawal
Fill Valve
Float Gauge
Relief Valve
Multivalve
Heat-related illness is preventable, especially with management commitment to providing the most effective controls.
Workers who have not spent time recently in warm or hot environments and/ or being physically active will need time to build tolerance (acclimatize or, less frequently used, acclimate) to the heat. During their first few days in warm or hot environments, employers should encourage workers to: • Consume adequate fluids (water and sport drinks) • work shorter shifts, • take frequent breaks, and • quickly identify any heat illness symptoms.
To keep body temperatures down in warm environments make changes to workload and schedules. For example, empower supervisors and workers to slow down physical activity or scheduling work for the morning or shorter shifts with frequent rest breaks in the shade or at least away from heat sources. Supervisors can encourage workers in warm environments to drink hydrating fluids. At a minimum, all supervisors and workers should receive training about heat-related symptoms and first aid.
Additional precautions workers can take • Drink small amounts of water frequently. • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing—cotton is good. • Take frequent short breaks in cool shade. • Eat smaller meals before work activity. • Avoid caffeine and alcohol or large amounts of sugar. • Work in the shade. • Find out from your health care provider if your medications and heat don’t mix.
Heat-related illnesses can have a substantial cost to workers and employers. Heat illness can contribute to decreased performance, lost productivity due to illness and hospitalization, and possibly death. OSHA encourages water, rest, and shade as prevention as well as treatment for heat-related illness.
You can find more information at www. osha.gov.
Snakes: What Outdoor Workers Should Know
Snakes occur throughout the state of Texas. Of the 254 counties in Texas, not one of them is snake free. Venomous snakes can be dangerous to outdoor workers like your delivery drivers, service man and other employees doing work in the field.
Although rare, some workers with a severe envenomation or allergy to snake venom may be at risk of death if bitten. It has been estimated that 7,000–8,000 people per year receive venomous bites in the United States, and about 5 of those people die. The number of deaths would be much higher if people did not seek medical care. Disability and permanent injury (such as the loss of part or all of a finger or the function of it) are much more common, reported to be between 10 percent and44 percent in patients with rattlesnake bites.
Roughly half of all venomous snake bites are “dry.” That is, the snake does not inject venom into the victim.
Employer Recommendations
However, it is important for employers to train their workers about their risk of exposure to venomous snakes, how they can prevent and protect themselves from snake bites, and what they should do if they are bitten.
Employers should protect their field workers from venomous snake bites by training them about: • Their risk of exposure to venomous snakes
• How to identify venomous snakes • How to prevent snake bites • What they should do if a snake is sighted or if they are bitten by a snake
Venomous Snakes in Texas
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), there are two types of venomous snakes found in Texas. First, pit vipers are the most common type of venomous snakes in Texas and include the copperhead, cottonmouth (also known as water moccasins) and rattlesnake. Pit vipers get their name from the infrared radiation receptors located in a “pit” on each side of the snake’s face. Additionally, pit viper pupils are vertically elliptical, and they have a single row of scales located on the underside of their tail. The second type of venomous snake found in Texas is the coral snake. Coral snakes are characterized by having a short, permanently erect fang located along each side of the upper jaw. However, the coral snake does not have to “chew” its victim to inflict a painfully venomous bite. The Texas Coral Snake can easily be identified by the red, yellow and black color bands along the snake’s body. The Texas Coral Snake is the only snake in Texas with touching red and yellow bands.
Texas Parks & Wildlife links to a useful tool called What Snake Is That? Found at: http://www.whatsnakeisthat.com/category/region/south/texas/. The tool could be helpful in trainings or if you or your employees come across snakes.
Worker Recommendations
Workers should take the following steps to prevent a snake bite: • Do not touch or handle any snake. • Stay away from tall grass and piles of leaves when possible. • Watch where you step and place your hands when outdoors. Do not place them in areas where snakes may be resting unless you can see it is safe. • Avoid climbing on rocks or piles of wood where a snake may be hiding. • Be aware that snakes tend to be most active at dawn and dusk and in warm weather. • Wear boots and long pants when working outdoors. Even denim jeans may prevent some, although not all, bites by smaller snakes. • Wear leather gloves when handling brush and debris.
Symptoms of Envenomization by Snakes
There are many biological and environmental factors that determine the quantity and toxicity of an individual’s snake’s venom. People also react differently (immunologically) to snake venom. It is difficult to identify a set of standard symptoms for snake bite victims because of these variations. Listed below are some symptoms that many victims of snake bites share but remember that not every victim will have all of these symptoms. • Common Symptoms of Snake Bite • blurred vision • convulsions • dizziness • excessive sweating • fainting • fang marks • fever • increased salivation • localized pain and burning • muscle contractions • muscle incoordination • nausea and vomiting • numbness and tingling • rapid pulse rate • skin discoloration
• swelling in the bite area • thirst • tissue death • weakness
First Aid for Snake Bite Victims
If someone has been bitten by a venomous snake, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Call 9-1-1 or the Texas Poison Center Network at 1-800- 222-1222 for information about which medical centers in your area have the appropriate antivenom. If possible, call ahead to the medical center so the antivenom can be ready when the victim arrives. It is also important to identify the kind of snake that bit the victim. Even taking a dead snake with you to the medical center is appropriate if it can be done without further risk or injury. Extreme caution should be used when bringing in a snake because even though the snake may be dead, its reflexes may still allow the snake to bite.
What to do for Snake Bite Victims
• Move the victim safely away from the snake. If you see the snake, try to remember what it looks like or take a digital picture of it if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. This will aid the doctor in determining which antivenin is needed. • Do not attempt to capture the snake; however, if the snake is dead, place it in a suitable container and bring it with you to the hospital for identification. Be careful to avoid contact with the dead snake’s head however, as it may be able to bite reflexively for a short time after death. • Keep the victim, and yourself, calm. • Remove jewelry or constricting clothing from the victim quickly, before any swelling begins. • Lift the bitten limb so that it is level with the heart. Raising it above heart level could hasten distribution of the venom to other parts of the body. Holding the limb below heart level could lead to increased swelling of the affected limb. • Limit movement of the bitten limb and avoid any unnecessary exertion by bringing transport to the victim, if possible. • Gently wash the bite wound with soap and water, if available. • Call 911 if available and seek medical attention immediately. If you are transporting the victim to a hospital, call ahead so that the medical staff can prepare the antivenin for administration upon arrival.
What NOT to do for Snake Bite Victims
• Do not attempt to suck venom from the bite wound. • Do not make cuts over the snake bite. This often leads to more tissue trauma and damage. • Do not apply a tourniquet or other constricting device. • Do not apply a cold pack or ice to the snake bite.
• Do not apply an electrical shock to the snake bite. • Do not take pain reliever or other medications unless instructed to do so by a physician. • Do not drink alcoholic beverages. • Do not administer antivenom in the field. Treatment for snake bites is best conducted in an appropriate medical facility.
Sources: Texas Department of State Health Services, CDC, and Texas Parks & Wildlife
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