Extension Requests - You may request an extension to give you more time to correct violations. Approval of extension requests is not guaranteed. Supporting documentation will help ensure approval. Extensions must be in writing and should include:

• The inspection report number (This is required to make sure that we are unquestionably considering the proper site and inspection.)
• The name of the company or store that was inspected
• The date of the inspection
• Type of inspection (LPG-1x, LPG-3A. LPG-4, or LPG-5 from the upper left corner of the inspection form) or "miscellaneous," "truck," "dispenser," or "bulk plant," respectively.
• Justification for why an extension is needed (e.g., contractor delays, can't find parts, can't paint in this weather) with available documentation to support justification
• The date (month/day/year) you expect to be able to complete the corrections. Please do not ask for, for instance, "another 30 days." Be specific about when you expect to finish. 

How to Request an Extension

The simplest way to request an extension is to click on the extension request button in the email you received about your inspection. Click on the button and verify that the prefilled fields are correct or supply the correct information.

Other requests for extensions must be in writing and can be sent by mail (address is on the inspection report), fax (919-831-1303), or e-mail (lp.requests@ncagr.gov). For faxed requests, please include your fax number if you want the reply by fax or directions for how to send a reply. On e-mail requests, you MUST start the subject line with the word "Extension." This is because of the high number of emails received. Emails can be sorted by subject, allowing an email with an extension request to be found quickly. A reply will usually be sent by email if we have an email address included in your site data. If you prefer a reply by the same method you used, please include that in the request.

You may now request an extension online. Click on this link to be taken to the extension request page. Complete all of the required fields on the form and click on Submit Request. Doing so will generate an email to our office. We will respond by email, stating approval or not and the new earliest date for the follow-up inspection. This will not be processed any faster than regular emails, so allow enough lead time to get the approval prior to the return of the inspector for the follow-up inspection.

REPEAT: All requests must be in writing and must include the inspection number and the expected completion date. Emailed requests must have the word "Extension" as the first word of the subject line. Failure to follow these instructions may result in delays in approving requests, possibly impacting the deadline, as explained in the important note, below.

We understand that sometimes even the best plans are subject to unexpected delays. If you have an unexpected delay in completing corrections, please request an extension prior to the date specified on the warning or penalty letter. If you already have an extension, we are not opposed to adding to that extension for valid reasons.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware of approaching deadlines for completing corrections or for the end of extension periods. If you need more time, be sure to officially request it in time for us to act on it, notify the inspector, and reply before the end of the initial correction period established in the warning or penalty letter or for the end of the existing extension period. With work load, out-of-office activities, mail delays, and occasional email delivery failures, waiting until the last minute to request an extension may result in a return inspection visit before the extension request is acted upon. if you do not get a reply in a day or two, weekends and holidays excluded, resend your request. Inspectors may return at any time after the period established in the notice of violation or warning or penalty letter passes or the extension expires. We will not approve an extension or add to an existing one if it the request is made the same day the inspector arrives for a reinspection. Also, the system will not allow us to process an extension for an inspection once the follow-up inspection is entered.

Not all extensions will be approved, especially for those with a critical safety concern. Your justification statement may be key to getting the requested extension. Also, no extensions will be given for US DOT (49 CFR) violations. These items are officially the authority of US DOT and NC Motor Carrier Enforcement. If we were to give an extension on these items, the driver and his company might be operating under the false assumption that they have more time to correct them. Actually, DOT or MCE officers can perform their inspection of these items at any time, regardless of our prior inspections or implied extensions.