Two towns to step up propane tank inspections

The towns of Brookhaven and Islip will step up inspections of commercial propane tanks after the New Year's Day gas leak that prompted authorities to evacuate some 2,000 residents near the Kohl's Shopping Center in Shirley.

Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan ordered town fire marshals Monday to recheck all commercial propane tanks, which are inspected every two years after installation. Town spokeswoman Amy Basta said Islip is also working on a new spot-check policy so tanks would be checked more frequently.

Brookhaven officials said Monday that the town will compile a list of commercial propane tanks larger than 4,000 gallons and then contact the owners "to advise them of proper precautions." Owners found to be in violation will be ticketed, officials said.

Hempstead and Babylon officials said they would review existing procedures to see if any revisions are needed in light of the leak from the 30,000-gallon underground tank.

"We're all going to take a second look at everything we have out there to make sure that everything is being done properly," said Babylon Fire Marshal Joe Arcuri.

Officials at many other Long Island municipalities said they did not plan additional surveys or changes to inspection regimens.

"We're pretty diligent with the ongoing inspections," said Smithtown Chief Fire Marshal Richard McKay.

Large commercial tanks of the type that leaked over the weekend are relatively rare on Long Island, said local officials and propane industry groups. Many are bulk storage facilities that dispense propane to customers for resale. Officials said Suffolk had more such tanks than Nassau, but precise figures are difficult to come by, in part because regulations differ among counties and towns.

Most municipalities inspect propane tanks at installation to ensure they comply with town code. In Suffolk, town fire marshals generally perform subsequent inspections as part of annual or semiannual building inspections.

In Nassau that responsibility falls to county fire marshals, who are required to inspect businesses once a year. They also approve emergency plans required when property owners seek to install such tanks.

Nassau has "thousands" of small residential propane tanks but only about six big ones that hold more than 4,000 gallons, Fire Marshal Joseph Geiman said. Among them, two are at bulk storage facilities, one belongs to a country club, and another powers a private residence, he said.

Nassau fire marshals and town authorities in Smithtown, Shelter Island and Southampton do not for the most part require permits when work is done to repair or alter large, nonresidential propane tanks.

But Brookhaven, Babylon, Huntington and Islip require some notification or permits, town officials said, and Islip and Babylon officials also inspect such work upon completion. No information was available Monday from Riverhead, East Hampton and Southold towns.