3000 Gallon Argon Tank Grounding

[Davebones]

We have a 3000 gallon Argon storage tank on a pad on the outside of the building . During a safety audit one of the items wrote up was that the tank needs to be grounded . This tank was installed by the gas company itself . It is bolted to the slab and then is copper piped into the building ? Does anyone know is there any specific grounding requirements for a Argon tank ? ? ?

 

[petersonra]

is there a ground lug on the tank to connect to?

what do they mean by "grounding"?

is the copper pipe bonded already?

would 250.112(K) apply?

 

[kwired]

Argon is an inert gas, grounding over concerns of any arcing causing ignition of contents just is not a problem. It may be a good idea for general electrical safety - especially if there is electric operated equipment connected to the tank direcely or indirectly, reduction of static electricity, etc.

 

[Davebones]

There's no electrical equipment connected just valves . It has a copper pipe pipe that goes along the outside of the building that then changes to a flexible white type Argon tubing going into the building . I looked at the tank and I don't see any visual grounding point on it . I think who ever did the safety audit just thinks there ought to be a green wire going to it .

 

[Electric-Light]

Argon is an inert gas, grounding over concerns of any arcing causing ignition of contents just is not a problem. It may be a good idea for general electrical safety - especially if there is electric operated equipment connected to the tank direcely or indirectly, reduction of static electricity, etc.

If the tank gets hit by a lightning, the current will flow through the plumbing.

 

[petersonra]

If the tank gets hit by a lightning, the current will flow through the plumbing.

how will grounding it change anything?

 

[Electric-Light]

how will grounding it change anything?

Provides a path to ground not dependent on connection plumbing.

The plumbing can rise to high voltage and cause a shock, or arc and start a fire if there's an interruption somewhere. Argon isn't flammable, but whatever in the path between pipe and grounded metal can be.

 

[petersonra]

Provides a path to ground not dependent on connection plumbing.

The plumbing can rise to high voltage and cause a shock, or arc and start a fire if there's an interruption somewhere. Argon isn't flammable, but whatever in the path between pipe and grounded metal can be.

And grounding will help with this?

 

[kwired]

And grounding will help with this?

Kind of my thoughts. Just like grounding anything else - it helps some but a direct hit is likely going to result in all kinds of unexpected current paths.