When it comes to fuel tanker unloading equipment, dry disconnects have become essential for modern loading and unloading operations. These systems automatically shut as soon as your hose or loading arm is disconnected, which helps prevent spills and increases the overall safety of your site. At Northern Platforms, we specialize in turnkey fuel tanker loading and unloading equipment that integrates seamlessly into your site. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how dry disconnects work, the key equipment you need, and why they are a smart investment for your operation.
What are Dry Disconnects?
Dry disconnect couplings automatically shut off product flow when disconnected, helping to eliminate even the smallest spills. Unlike traditional couplings that release residual product into containment areas, dry disconnects retain any remaining fuel inside the connector itself. This means:
No fuel spills onto the ground
No product drips onto equipment or personnel
No vapour releases during disconnection
No cleanup required between unloading cycles
The retained product typically remains in the coupler and is removed during the next connection, or it can be drained safely during maintenance.
Dry Disconnect Options Available at Northern Platforms
Northern Platforms stocks two proven dry disconnect solutions for fuel tanker unloading:
OPW Kamvalok Dry Disconnect
The OPW Kamvalok is an industry-leading dry disconnect system designed specifically for critical and high-value products. Key features include:
Locking handle maintains position to prevent unintended coupler opening or closing
Automatic closure in both directions—both coupler and adapter shut off simultaneously
Optimized for low pressure drop and maximum flow rates
Available in 1½”, 2″, and 3″ sizes to match your system requirements
Material choices: Aluminum or 316 stainless steel construction
Best for: High-volume operations, critical products, facilities requiring maximum reliability and minimal maintenance
Drylok Dry Disconnect Coupler/Adaptor
The Drylok system offers an alternative dry disconnect solution engineered for dependable performance in demanding fuel tanker unloading environments. Key features include:
Designed for optimal flow and pressure performance
Durable construction suitable for high-frequency cycling
Compatible with standard tanker receptacles
Available in multiple sizes and pressure ratings
Best for: Standard fuel tanker operations, retrofit applications, cost-conscious facilities seeking proven reliability
Why Choose Northern Platforms
At Northern Platforms, we’ll partner with you from initial assessment through installation, commissioning, and ongoing support. The result? Fuel tanker unloading equipment that seamlessly integrates into your operation. Here’s why Western Canadian companies choose us:
Single-source accountability: One partner for loading arms, vapour recovery hardware, gangways, and loading platforms, and more.
Proven equipment: We work with industry-leading manufacturers like Emco Wheaton, OPW, and SafeRack.
Custom solutions: Systems designed for your specific fleet, site layout, and operational requirements.
Installation and training: Complete commissioning services and operator training for long-term success
Maintenance support: Ongoing service to keep your system running at peak efficiency
Our experience across diverse industries—from petroleum terminals to chemical facilities—means we understand the unique challenges of different loading applications and can design the right solution for your operation.
Call Us Now!
Ready to invest in fuel tanker unloading equipment? Contact Northern Platforms to schedule your site visit today!
Alberta’s energy sector depends on reliable rail operations. From oil sands loading in Fort McMurray to crude terminals near Edmonton and Calgary, hundreds of workers access tank cars daily at significant heights. Slip hazards, extreme weather, and high-exposure openings create serious risks—making professional fall protection systems essential under Alberta OHS Code Part 9. Keep reading to learn more about railcar fall protection in Alberta—and how Northern Platforms can help.
Railcar Fall Protection Regulations in Alberta
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code
In Alberta, fall protection requirements for worksites are determined by the Occupational Health and Safety Code, specifically Part 9. This code requires fall protection in all circumstances where workers could fall 3 meters (approximately 10 feet) or higher from an unprotected edge, platform, or opening. At railcar loading facilities, this threshold is commonly met when accessing the top of tank cars, platforms adjacent to rail spurs, or elevated gangway systems. Additionally, Alberta OHS recognizes “greater risk” situations—meaning that even falls under 3 meters may require protection if the landing surface is uneven, contains hazardous equipment, or presents other aggravating factors.
The Railway Safety Act
For facilities located on or working with federally regulated railway corridors (such as those operated by CN), additional obligations may apply. The Railway Safety Act addresses broader rail operational safety, including track maintenance, railway equipment, signal systems, grade crossings, dangerous goods handling, and the operating rules that control how workers and equipment interact with rail infrastructure. Northern Platforms designs systems that satisfy both provincial and national regulations, ensuring your facility meets all applicable requirements.
Complete Fall Protection Systems for Alberta Rail Operations
For comprehensive protection when accessing tank cars, your system will need several elements, including:
Gangways: Stable walking surfaces that connect docks and tank cars. Many Alberta operations deal with varying tank car heights, so adjustability is key. Northern Platforms product recommendation: SafeRack FRT gangway
Tank car safety gates: A simple added fall protection feature that prevents workers from falling through the crashbox opening on a tank car. Enjoy a lightweight aluminum construction, power-coated finish, and easy installation with linch pins. Northern Platforms product recommendation: Northern Platforms Rail Car Safety Gate
Additional safety systems: Beyond fall protection, railcar loading and unloading operations are required to use railcar wheel chocks and blue flags under Alberta regulations. Northern Platforms product recommendation: Aldon Railcar Wheel Chocks
Northern Platforms provides railcar fall protection to operations across Alberta, including:
Edmonton
Calgary
Red Deer
Fort McMurray
Grande Prairie
Lloydminster
Cold Lake
Bonnyville
Lethbridge
Medicine Hat
Our expertise spans oil and gas operations, petrochemical manufacturing, agricultural loading, and industrial chemicals. We understand Alberta’s regulatory environment, climate challenges, and operational demands. Ready to learn why we’re Western Canada’s number one choice for railcar fall protection systems? Get in touch with our office today.
Start Building Your Railcar Fall Protection System Today
Your Alberta railcar operations depend on fall protection designed for local conditions and regulations. So whether you are operating a Calgary transloading facility, Edmonton terminal, or Fort McMurray oil sands operation, Northern Platforms brings regional expertise and proven experience to every single contract. Plus, as a complete turnkey service provider, we can provide everything from comprehensive system design to ongoing and consistent maintenance.
Ready to ensure your Alberta rail operations meet local compliance and safety standards? Contact Northern Platforms for a no-obligation site assessment. Our Alberta specialists will evaluate your facility, recommend optimal solutions, and provide transparent proposals for supply and installation. We bring decades of experience securing workers at heights across Western Canadian energy infrastructure.
Northern Platforms is the Western Canadian leader in industrial access solutions, specializing in fall protection systems and turnkey installation services for oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors. We supply some of the best products on the market, including SafeRack, ErectaStep, OPW, and more.
Truck loading platforms are the foundation of many operations across Alberta. But is your equipment really improving efficiency and safety on your site? We’ve previously discussed how the Northern Platforms team can assess your current system for overall efficiency and safety requirements. But did you know that we also offer preventative maintenance? Keep reading to learn more about this key service offering.
Truck Loading Platform Assessments
A robust truck loading platform system integrates multiple components working together to eliminate fall hazards and streamline operations:
Safe access equipment: Safety cages, gangways, and loading arms that provide secure pathways to elevated work areas
Engineered platforms: Rolling platforms and fixed truck loading platforms designed for specific trailer types and loading configurations
Site-fit controls: Solutions matched to your cargo properties, traffic flow, space constraints, and operational requirements
Preventative Maintenance for Truck Loading Platforms
In addition to our assessment services, the Northern Platforms team offers comprehensive preventative maintenance packages for all kinds of systems, including truck loading platforms. Most equipment manufacturers include scheduled maintenance requirements in their IOM manuals. These maintenance requirements are often a condition of warranty coverage for your truck loading platform. Our preventative maintenance programs include:
Visual inspection of welds, structural connections, and load-bearing components
Lubrication of pivot points, hinges, and moving assemblies
Hardware torque checks to ensure bolts and fasteners remain secure
Functionality testing of safety mechanisms, gates, and locking systems
Documentation of inspection findings and maintenance actions
The Key Benefit of Preventive Maintenance
Preventative maintenance matters because it catches problems when they’re small and inexpensive to fix—not when they’ve escalated into major component failures. For example, consider a loading arm with a minor seal leak. Caught early during a routine inspection by Northern Platforms, a seal kit replacement only costs $400 to $900 in parts and labour.
But if that leak is ignored, it can have a profound impact on your loading arm–often leading to swivel joint failures or other major issues. Replacing your loading arm can cost up to $10,000.
When you break it down like this, the answer is clear: preventative maintenance pays for itself 10 times over.
Why Choose Northern Platforms
Everything Northern Platforms supplies, we can install. This turnkey approach delivers several advantages over separating equipment procurement from installation and maintenance:
Warranty Protection: When the same company supplies and installs your truck loading platform, warranty coverage is iron-clad. There’s no ambiguity about whether installation errors voided manufacturer protections, and your installation will keep track of mandatory maintenance schedules.
Faster Timelines: A single point of contact means fewer scheduling delays, streamlined communication, and faster commissioning. In other words, your truck loading platform is operational sooner and serviced faster.
Correct Specification: Installation teams familiar with the equipment catch specification errors during site surveys, preventing costly rework or incompatible components.
One Stop Shop: Having Northern Platforms handle both supply and installation means accountability is crystal clear. If something needs attention, you know exactly who to call.
Contact Us Today!
Are you looking for a safety equipment supplier that does it all? Northern Platforms is the company for you. We bring decades of experience in installing and maintaining truck loading platforms across Western Canada, ensuring your systems perform safely, reliably, and cost-effectively for years to come. Call us to learn more and schedule your free site assessment today!
Do your workers regularly access, inspect, and maintain rooftop systems for your building? If so, proper rooftop fall protection is crucial. But with infrastructure limitations, hot work restrictions, and long lead times, building a proper fall protection system might feel difficult.
Rooftop HVAC units, mechanical equipment, and building systems often demand hours of regular maintenance. However, the truth is that servicing these systems regularly exposes workers to significant fall hazards. In fact, most Canadian provinces require fall protection systems for all work performed above 3 metres.
But here’s another roadblock: most passive fall protection solutions on the market require drilling into the roof, which isn’t permitted for many operations. Without temporary or non-penetrating options, workers face falling risks 24/7.
The Solution: Non-Penetrating Guardrails
Does the above situation sound familiar? If so, Northern Platforms has the ideal solution for you: the YellowGate RS rooftop fall protection system. This freestanding, mobile, and modular system delivers the same fall protection as anchored systems while leaving your roof membrane completely intact. Some key features of this product include:
42” (1067mm) tall, which meets OH&S compliance requirements
Lightweight and easy to assemble
Corrosion-resistant and easy to maintain
Some common applications include:
Rooftop HVAC maintenance: Seasonal filter changes, refrigerant servicing, and control system checks all require safe rooftop access. Non-penetrating guardrails provide fall protection without compromising the roof membrane.
Building envelope work: Temporary protection during roof inspections, parapet wall repairs, and facade maintenance becomes safer with portable guardrails that move with the work.
Industrial facilities: Rooftop process equipment, ventilation systems, and utility infrastructure demand regular access. Chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, and food processing operations use non-penetrating guardrails without creating penetration risks.
Other Rooftop Safety Products from Northern Platforms
Rooftop safety extends beyond guardrails. Northern Platforms supplies a complete range of modular access and fall protection solutions designed for rooftops and elevated work areas across Western Canada:
Modular Work Platforms: ErectaStep bolt-together platforms create safe elevated work surfaces for rooftop equipment access and maintenance. Configure platforms to fit your specific rooftop layout—no hot-work permits required.
Modular Stairs and Access: Pair modular work platforms with ErectaStep stairs for complete rooftop access systems.
Safety Gates and Swing Gates: YellowGate self-closing safety swing gates complement non-penetrating guardrail systems. Install at stairway landings, platform edges, or mezzanine openings for comprehensive fall protection.
For more information about building a complete OH&S-compliant rooftop safety system, contact Northern Platforms today.
Why Choose Northern Platforms
As an exclusive ErectaStep distributor for Western Canada, Northern Platforms is your go-to provider for modular work platforms, portable stairs, safety swing gates, and more. Here’s why you should choose us for your next rooftop safety project:
Modular platforms in stock now: We keep all elements of ErectaStep systems in stock at our Leduc warehouse, meaning we can have your order shipped to your site before the end of the week.
Rapid response time: Thanks to our in-stock inventory and central Alberta location, we offer project turnaround times that exceed expectations. For example, on a recent project, we quoted a project on Tuesday, shipped equipment on Wednesday, and the system was operational by Thursday.
One-stop shop: Keeping your facility safe and compliant can be difficult, especially if you are relying on multiple suppliers for multiple products. At Northern Platforms, we offer all the safety equipment you need under one roof. Count on us for rolling stairs, safety cages, mobile access units, safety swing gates, and more!
Local expertise: We’ve been serving Western Canada since 2002 and have served countless industries. We’ll bring our expertise, insights, and high-quality service to every single call.
Ready to upgrade your rooftop safety? Contact Northern Platforms for a no-obligation consultation. Our specialists will assess your rooftop access needs, recommend optimal non-penetrating guardrail configurations, and provide transparent proposals for supply and installation. We bring decades of experience delivering modular access platforms and rooftop fall protection across Western Canada—ensuring your systems protect workers, preserve warranties, and perform reliably for years to come. Call us or request a quote through our website now!
LPG loading and unloading operations demand precision, safety expertise, and specialized equipment. Understanding how LPG loading systems work is critical to protecting your workers, maintaining regulatory compliance, and optimizing operational efficiency. Interested in learning more about these systems? Keep reading for a deep dive into regulations, specifications, and processes of natural gas/LPG loading.
Natural Gas Loading Regulations and Standards
Natural gas and LPG operations are subject to several national and provincial regulations, including:
NFPA 58 (National Fire Protection Association) is the baseline North American standard, establishing requirements for container design, loading equipment, operator training, and more.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) is a federal regulation governing LPG transport by truck, rail, air, and vessel. TDG mandates container marking, driver training and certification, incident reporting, and emergency response protocols.
Finally, all Canadian provinces have relevant health and safety codes which establish worker protection, training, certifications, and more.
At Northern Platforms, we are experts in all regulations that apply to creating a safe and efficient fuel loading system. For more information about the rules that could apply to our site, call our office today.
How Natural Gas Loading Systems Work
While exact protocols might differ, here is a general overview of how a natural gas loading system might work:
Step 1: All equipment is grounded in order to prevent static electricity, which could result in fires.
Step 2: Loading arms connect to vessel connection points (two product lines and one vapour line for railcars; isolated compartments for trucks) using standardized couplers designed to minimize spillage and vapour release
Step 3: The transfer begins from the storage tank into the tanker truck or pressurized railcar through a loading arm. Meanwhile, displaced vapours are drawn back through the vapour line, which helps prevent excessive pressure buildup.
Step 4: Flow rates are carefully controlled to prevent pressure spikes. Similarly, temperature is continuously monitored in case of cooling or heating.
Step 5: Loading is completed, and operators record essential details, including ending tank levels, pressures, temperatures, and certification numbers.
Looking for more information about the best fuel loading arms for natural gas loading and unloading? Read our previous blog posts:
This material can be moved by both truck and rail; however, railcar LPG loading is more common in Alberta. Important specifications for both truck and railcar LPG loading are below:
LPG Railcar Loading
Specification
Details
Product Temperature
-1.1°C to 37.8°C (30°F to 100°F)
Design Temperature
-28.9°C to 43.3°C (-20°F to 110°F)
Operating Pressure
552–1034 kPa (80–150 psig)
Design Pressure
1724 kPa (250 psig)
Connection Size
5.08 cm diameter (2″ diameter)
Line/Arm Size
10.16 cm × 7.62 cm × 5.08 cm or 7.62 cm × 5.08 cm (4″×3″×2″ or 3″×2″)
LPG Truck Loading
Specification
Details
Product Temperature
-1.1°C to 37.8°C (30°F to 100°F)
Design Temperature
-28.9°C to 43.3°C (-20°F to 110°F)
Operating Pressure
3447 kPa (500 PSI)
Hydro Test Pressure
5171 kPa (750 PSI)
Connection Size
5.08 cm diameter (2″ diameter)
Line/Arm Size
7.62 cm × 5.08 cm (3″×2″)
Northern Platforms: Your Source for Fuel Loading Arms
As Western Canada’s safety experts, the Northern Platforms team knows the ins and outs of effective natural gas and LPG loading. From a compliant railcar loading platform to reliable loading arms, we can build an integrated system from top to bottom. Interested in learning more about how we can help? Contact our office today!
