100 gallon Propane Tank with in 15' of Pool sub-panel

[Woodselectric]

I've run into a situation on an Install for a pool sub-panel. We installed the panel in a location chosen by the contractor based on where the pool equipment was going to be located. The Pool installer would not install their equipment because they were within 15' of a 100 gallon above ground propane tank and their pool pump would be close to a propane fitting going to an instant hot water heater. I was unaware that the propane tank was going to be installed in the location that it was but that being said my question is. If my sub-panel is 9' away would it be consider a spark source for that propane tank? Would the pool equipment be considered a spark source next to the propane fitting? The GC moved all the equipment but in the future I would like to have a solid answer for electrical equipment near propane tanks and connections.

Thank you for your thoughts and code knowledge.

 

[MAC702]

Some pool equipment actually uses the propane to heat the pool water. Imagine how difficult that would be if a gas pipe fitting can't be anywhere near it.

 

[kwired]

The gas is supposed to be inside the tank and the piping, how is a spark on the outside going to ignite it?

Arts 500-516 does not even consider this a classified location,as long as there is no kind of activity going on where that gas is ordinarily released into the area in question.

If there were a cylinder refilling station there, then you have a different situation.

Occasional refilling of a fixed tank via a transfer truck, I don't even think triggers a hazardous location. There is only a limited time potential for release of gas, and it will then be a long time before it may happen again.


Any automatic pressure relief valves may be required to pipe the release to a safe area though.

 

[Woodselectric]

NFPA-58 has a 10' foot rule from what I could find

NFPA-58 has a 10' foot rule from what I could find

The gas is supposed to be inside the tank and the piping, how is a spark on the outside going to ignite it?

Arts 500-516 does not even consider this a classified location,as long as there is no kind of activity going on where that gas is ordinarily released into the area in question.

If there were a cylinder refilling station there, then you have a different situation.

Occasional refilling of a fixed tank via a transfer truck, I don't even think triggers a hazardous location. There is only a limited time potential for release of gas, and it will then be a long time before it may happen again.


Any automatic pressure relief valves may be required to pipe the release to a safe area though.

I was searching around the internet and found NFPA-58 has a 10' rule from the relief valve or filling connection to a source of spark. We ended up moving it closer to the new location of the pool equipment. I believe just a like a gas inta-hot water heater with a disconnect or cord and plug I believe it would have been fine and not a source of spark.

Thanks for your input.

 

[kwired]

I was searching around the internet and found NFPA-58 has a 10' rule from the relief valve or filling connection to a source of spark. We ended up moving it closer to the new location of the pool equipment. I believe just a like a gas inta-hot water heater with a disconnect or cord and plug I believe it would have been fine and not a source of spark.

Thanks for your input.

Yes, relief valve outlet or a filling connection can trigger a hazardous location, those would't necessarily have to be in same vicinity as the tank.