A Northampton County mobile home park where a man was killed in a Valentine's Day gas explosion had not registered its propane system with the state as required, and an inspection revealed 18 violations of rules governing gas pipes and equipment.

State fire marshal Bart Josefowicz on Feb. 24 released a statement saying the explosion was caused by a propane tank leak.William Neith Sr., 65, an avid golfer and drummer who lived in the home in the Hickory Hills development in Bath, Moore Township, died in the explosion and fire.According to numerous published reports, people who lived in the community had reported smelling gas in the days before the blast. Propane manufacturers add a chemical that smells like rotten eggs to the gas in order to alert people to leaks.The development's propane system included a network of underground pipes."The propane system was not registered with the state Public Utilities Commission."The Commission believes it should have been under the provisions of Act 127 of 2012," said PUC spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher. "The case has been referred to the PUC's Independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement for further handling. Under the law, pipeline operators who fail to register can be fined up to $10,000 a day (for every day) that the violation exists," she said.The state department of Labor and Industry inspected the system on Feb. 24, finding the 18 violations.Lawrence R. Kline, director of L&I's boiler division, on March 5 notified the park of the violations. The violations must be corrected by March 31, according to the notification.The violations listed in Kline's notice were that neither a current permit, plans nor documentation of insurance were available at the time of the inspection; also unavailable were a fire safety analysis, safe access to inspect safety valves.Also, tank fill piping was not properly protected from vehicles; emergency control was not labeled as per code; stop-valve data could not be read because of paint; emergency shut-off valves were not installed per code; breakaway devices were not installed on tank fill piping; hydrostatic relief valve data could not be read because of paint, and the valve was not installed as per code; a pressure gauge was damaged; and no thermometer had been installed.Also, the inspector could not determine if excess flow valves were installed as per code.The violations also included failures to comply with regulations that piping must be tested with installation of valves and other equipment; devices on vaporizers to prevent liquid propane from entering vapor piping must be serviced as per manufacturer's instruction; and that regulators, pipes and equipment must be protected from the elements as per code.