WestAir Gases is a family-owned business that started in 1970 within the San Diego area. WestAir has an exemplary safety record within the compressed gas industry for over 56 years.
WestAir repackages pure atmospheric gases and gas mixtures in DOT rated cylinders and containers.
WestAir currently repackages propane cylinders manually into DOT rated cylinders.
This project proposes the construction of a 4,000 square foot three-sided metal building to repackage
propane cylinders.
Operational Statement Item 9.2
Project Details
The proposed projects is located at 2100 Haffley Ave. in National City, CA
WestAir plans on filling and storing small barbeque sized propane cylinders from a single 30,000-gallon propane storage vessel. The proposed Makeen propane carousel will be a semi-automated weight-based filling system that will increase production within this process.
Propane cylinders once refilled will be transported on WestAir vehicles to direct customers.
The propane storage vessel was manufactured from carbon steel and meets the NFPA 58 (Liquified Petroleum Gas Code),OSHA 1910.110 and CalOSHA 8 CCR Div. 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Article 5 requirements.
Project Details
Approximate location
30,000-gallon tank
Carousel
cylinder fill
N
Facility Layout
Emergency Shutoffs
WestAir Gases
2100 Haffley Avenue
National City, CA
Entrance
Tank
Bollards
* Locations approximate
Propane will be delivered by
bobtail truck approximately once
every two weeks.
Safety features of the LPG tank include:
Pressure relief valves
• PRVs are designed to vent excess pressure to prevent
tank rupture
Excess-flow valves
• Designed to close automatically if flow during transfer exceeds the rated capacity of system
Emergency shutoffs
• Immediately stops the flow of LPG
Level gauges
• Indicate the amount of LPG in the tank to prevent
overfilling
Safety features continued:
Transfer procedures
• WestAir has written transfer procedures that all
operators must follow
• Procedures will be updated with specific information
after the equipment is installed
Separation distances
• CA Fire Code specifies minimum distance between
tanks and buildings, property lines, and other LPG
containers
Trained operators
• All WestAir operators receive initial and ongoing safety training including computer-based training and Job Site Observation
NCFD Station 34 is 1.3 miles from the WestAir facility
Nearest Fire Station
From the National Propane Gas Association:
There are approximately 10,000 LPG facilities with storage tanks between 18,000 – 30,000 gallons in the United States.
Number of Bulk LPG Tanks in California:
There is no public database that lists the exact number of bulk LPG tanks in California, however:
WestAir currently operates two facilities with 30,000-gallon LPG tanks (Oceanside and Garden Grove)
There are several bulk LPG tank facilities in San Diego County including:
• Ferrellgas
• Airgas
• AmeriGas
The state’s regulatory agencies - including Cal/OSHA, CAL FIRE, and local Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) - track and inspect these tanks.
The CUPA for the WestAir National City facility is the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health Hazardous Materials Division and is responsible for – Hazardous Materials Business Plans
– Facility Inspections focusing on hazardous material storage and recordkeeping The National City Fire Department is responsible for
– Plan Review and Permitting
– Facility Inspections focusing on equipment and operations – Emergency Response
WestAir will prepare and submit a Hazardous Materials Business Plan prior to the tank installation.
The National City Fire Department has already reviewed and approved the permit application for the tank.
The permit number is FD25-00101
Regulatory Oversight
Design standards-Tank/system designed, installed, inspected, and maintained under NFPA 58, CA Fire Code, Fed & CalOSHA LPG rules, county/local requirements. Built-in safety layers-Pressure relief valves, excess-flow valves, shutoffs, gauges, transfer procedures, separation distances, odorization, ignition control, trained operators.
Emergency response-Fire station ~1 mile away; several within 5 miles; pre-planning with fire department; site access; shutoff/isolation steps; evacuation/shelter decisions. WestAir safety record-No prior incidents; trained personnel; documented inspections; maintenance logs; emergency drills.
Community commitments-Annual fire department walkthrough, updated emergency contact sheet, complaint line, documented inspections, signage/access control.
WestAir has been in National City since 2007.
Summary of Safety Features
A public comment was received concerning the potential risks associated with a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor incident or a BLEVE.
BLEVE incidents are the result of catastrophic tank failure typically caused by a fire and over-pressurization of a tank.
The proposed tank was designed and manufactured specifically to prevent BLEVE incidents.
Design features include reinforced steel, pressure relief valves, emergency shutoffs, and corrosion protection coating.
The tank and associated piping will be protected from vehicle impact by concrete bollards.
Should a fire occur, the WestAir facility is within 1.3 miles of a National City Fire Station and within ~3 miles of:
– NCFD Station #31
– NCFD Station #33
– Federal Fire San Diego Station #17
– Chula Vista Station #1
Coordination with emergency responders is required as part of the Hazardous Materials Business Plan submission process.
Public Comment 04/07/2026
– WestAir recognizes the hazards associated with LPG and has established safety procedures to minimize risks to the public, our employees, and first responders. – WestAir takes safety seriously and has a not had any incidents resulting in fires or explosions.
– The tank installation is in compliance with the CA Fire Code, NFPA 58, and San Diego County Municipal Code.
– The plans have been reviewed and approved by the National City Fire Department. – Approval of this project is appropriate because the tank is regulated, engineered with multiple safeguards, and supported by emergency response planning.
Conclusion