Practice Safety With Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
One of the most common safety violations found near electricity lines is the location of the gasoline dispensing facilities on the farmstead in relation to the meter pole or farm buildings.
The National Electrical Code shows the requirements your farm wiring system should follow. One section of the wiring code covers the requirements for electrical equipment and wiring for all voltages in locations where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, etc.
Because of the hazard that exists in the vicinity of gasoline dispensing facilities, and especially the hazard to Access Energy Cooperative personnel wherever there is a possibility of electric sparks or arcing igniting flammable vapors, the commission is suggesting that electric utilities not permit the installation of meter poles or service entrances within 20 feet of a gasoline dispensing barrel or tank, or within three feet of any point that could be reached by a gasoline dispensing nozzle. In addition, it is recommended that existing installations with less than the required clearances be modified to provide the required clearances.
For Access Energy to change the location of existing meter poles would be quite costly. Therefore, we are asking every member to check to make sure their gasoline dispensing facilities are located 20 feet from the meter pole. The end of the dispensing nozzle should not be within 3 feet of the meter pole.
If the commission personnel check Access Energy’s electric lines and find a violation of this requirement, we have no choice but to disconnect your electricity until the hazard is corrected.
In addition to these location requirements, please make sure your gasoline dispensing facilities are electrically bonded to the electrical ground of the farm wiring system. Install a ground rod at your gasoline tank and connect the tank to the ground rod and to the farm wiring ground.