Maine state law: propane storage and installer licensing

Per 32 MRS § 18102 (Maine Fuel Board licensing): "A person who installs or services solid fuel burning equipment, including pellet-fired central heating appliances, or oil, propane or natural gas burning equipment and a facility where propane or natural gas is dispensed must be licensed under this chapter." The Maine Fuel Board (under the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation) administers Chapter 139 statewide. Per 32 MRS § 18135, a propane and natural gas technician must be authorized in one or more of these scopes: (1) Appliance connection and service — install and service propane and natural gas appliances up to 500,000 BTUs per appliance; (2) Delivery — deliver propane by liquid transfer into a stationary container or by placing a portable container; (3) Large equipment connection and service — install and service propane and natural gas appliances over 500,000 BTUs per appliance; (4) Plant operation — work at a propane facility "as defined in NFPA standards, Number 58"; (5) Tank setting and outside piping — set and maintain propane tanks and outside piping. Applicants must complete either a certified national-propane-gas-association training program or a board-approved propane/natural-gas course at a Maine community college, career and technical education center or region, and pass an examination. NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) is referenced in the statute and is the de facto state standard for residential and commercial LP-gas tank-siting (typical clearances: 10 ft from buildings for tanks up to 500 gal water capacity, 25 ft for 501-2,000 gal; 10 ft from property lines; 10 ft from openings into below-grade spaces). The Maine State Fire Marshal (under the Department of Public Safety) enforces NFPA 58 on commercial installations through MUBEC adoption under 25 MRS § 2451 and life-safety code review. Tank refilling above the 80% fill limit and unlicensed tank setting are Maine Fuel Board violations.

Practicing as a propane technician without a Maine Fuel Board license is a Class E crime under 32 MRS § 18102 (up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine), with civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation under the board's disciplinary authority. Installation of a propane tank in violation of NFPA 58 clearances is a building-code violation under 25 MRS § 2451 and a state fire-marshal enforcement target.