Fuel Farm

[newinspector1]

I have a company starting a fuel farm. The plans state that any euipment of j-boxes within 10 ft of the dispensers, tanks, sumps, or pumps shall be a Class 1 rated for hazardous. This will be an outside fuel farm. I have very limited knowledge of this type of wiring. They are going to be using RGS conduit with the exception being the ground rod in SCH 40 pvc. Are there any special bonding requirements? Where is the rule about within 10 ft of the dispensers, etc? Is the equipment around the fuel farm supposed to be explosion proof? I am in the process of reading through Article 500 & 501 again. Any help is appreciated.

 

[pete m.]

I am not familiar with the term "fuel farm". But, from what you have described you could have an article 514 or 515 application.

Pete

 

[renosteinke]

While many pages of the NEC discuss various 'hazardous' or 'classified' locations, the code is pretty quiet about what, exactly, are the areas to be classified, what the classification should be, and -most important- just who makes the determination.

All you can do is rely upon the professional judgement of the guy who drew the plans, and see that the plans are followed.

One thing of interest is the specification that you cite that junction boxes be explosion proof. In 90% of such applications, a strict reading of the code would not require their use.

Grounding is likely to be critical to the safety of the installation, and great attention must be paid to bonding rebar, etc. The handling of petroleum-based fuels generates plenty of static, and this must not be allowed to accumulate to spark levels.

From an inspection standpoint, I reccomend that the 'final' inspection be followed by another inspection in another week or two. The purpose of this additional inspection will be to inspect every seal, and see that the sealing compound has been installed.

 

[growler]

I have a company starting a fuel farm.

I am not familiar with the term "fuel farm".

I haven't herd the term "fuel farm" either but I remember when bulk storage sites were sometimes called "tank farms", I would guess because of the large storage tanks.


Most of the codes will depend on what types of fuel are being stored and the amounts ( also the amount of ventilation ) There are all sorts of fire codes about the storage of fuel so you may want to work closely with the Fire Marshal's Office.

 

[pfalcon]

Fuel Farm : aka Tank Farm : Bulk storage for fluids, especially those used as fuels. ex. diesel fuel for vehicles, methanol for heat treat, ammonia for heat treat, nitrogen for heat treat, dexron transmission fluid and similar synthetics, process waste water.

 

[marissa2]

Fuel Farm-The last time I heard that name I wsa stationed on a Navy air station.
Lou

 

[brantmacga]

haven't really done much above-ground fuel storage, but on underground, we just go by what the plans specify.

we just did a gas station and all the pumps were contained in fiberglass shells below the pavement. the boxes for the leak detectors had to be explosion proof, and we had to install seal-off's before entering those boxes and before connecting to the pump; and of course seal-off's before entering the panelboard cabinets.

dispenser's also required explosion-proof j-boxes and seal-off's.

 

[newinspector1]

This fuel farm will 12,000 gallons of AV gas and 12,000 gallons of Jet Fuel and 500 gallons of diesel fuel. The tanks will be UL2085 tanks and a UL142 tank. I am also the fire marshal for the county, but I have a fire marshal from another county helping on the fire side.

 

[kwired]

I am not familiar with the term "fuel farm". But, from what you have described you could have an article 514 or 515 application.

Pete

While many pages of the NEC discuss various 'hazardous' or 'classified' locations, the code is pretty quiet about what, exactly, are the areas to be classified, what the classification should be, and -most important- just who makes the determination.

If OP has a 514 or 515 application the code is much more detailed on where the classified areas are for these two articles. Sounds like one of the two articles applies to him.

You have to go back to 500-506 to know how to install certain items once you determine what classification you are going to be using.