If anyone could help me out on this I would appreciate it. We are going to be installing a 275KW generator for a local TV station. The diesel for the generator is located in two separate tanks; one underneath the generator and one that will be located above ground next to the generator. The conduits (as with most large generators) come into the generator through the concrete pad (underneath the generator) and into the box where the buss bars are located. My question is as follows: Since these conduits are inside of the 20' radius (hazardous location)for above ground tanks do I need sealoffs for these conduits? Nowhere in the code does it mention diesel as being a flammable liquid (that I can find). So do I even need to worry about sealoffs? I have seen many generators wired and have never seen seal-offs where the conduits enter the generator. Any help on this topic would be great.
Generators and Hazardous Locations
- Thread starter jperry
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
As far as I know from your description it is not a hazardous location.
As far as I know from your description it is not a hazardous location.
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
The presence of deisel fuel does not classify a location. In fact, if you wanted to, you could wire a diesel fuel dispenser in romex
The presence of deisel fuel does not classify a location. In fact, if you wanted to, you could wire a diesel fuel dispenser in romex
hardworkingstiff
Senior Member
- Location
- Wilmington, NC
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
Except in PA.Originally posted by ryan_618:
... In fact, if you wanted to, you could wire a diesel fuel dispenser in romex
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
Why is that?
Why is that?
hardworkingstiff
Senior Member
- Location
- Wilmington, NC
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
The State Fire Marshal said that's the way it will be in PA. A friend of mine was working up there building a fuel facility and could not believe it. It cost him a couple of bucks. He was from out of state, and did not bid it that way.
:roll:
The State Fire Marshal said that's the way it will be in PA. A friend of mine was working up there building a fuel facility and could not believe it. It cost him a couple of bucks. He was from out of state, and did not bid it that way.
:roll:
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
I think your fire marshall needs to settle down.
I think your fire marshall needs to settle down.
hardworkingstiff
Senior Member
- Location
- Wilmington, NC
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
We all agree with that, but..... he does have he final say so. So long as it is universally enforced, I guess I can live with it, don't like it though.
We all agree with that, but..... he does have he final say so. So long as it is universally enforced, I guess I can live with it, don't like it though.
- Location
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Occupation
- Professional Electrical Engineer
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
That's one of the problems I have when the "official" position is seriously wrong, especially if it has been a misinterpretation for a long time. Even if the misinformed AHJ becomes properly educated, it becomes tough politically to permit subsequent installations to NOT be installed per the previous interpretation since they have burned too many earlier installations that should have passed. It takes new wording in the appropriate Standard to allow them to back down gracefully.
rcwilson
Senior Member
- Location
- Redmond, WA
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
jperry- Areas around diesel generators are seldom classified, even when the day tank is in the room. One reason is that expensive precautions to prevent an electrically caused explosion in an area where the hot engine surfaces are going to ignite any vapors any way is not good use of resources.
IMO, some of the other posts are referring to diesel storage tanks at a fueling location. In that application there is a chance that at some future time, the owner may decide to go back to gas powered vehicles and the tank becomes a gasoline tank. With that reasoning, the initial installation is put in to prevent future problems.
IMO there is no need for classification or seals in a typical DG set installation.
jperry- Areas around diesel generators are seldom classified, even when the day tank is in the room. One reason is that expensive precautions to prevent an electrically caused explosion in an area where the hot engine surfaces are going to ignite any vapors any way is not good use of resources.
IMO, some of the other posts are referring to diesel storage tanks at a fueling location. In that application there is a chance that at some future time, the owner may decide to go back to gas powered vehicles and the tank becomes a gasoline tank. With that reasoning, the initial installation is put in to prevent future problems.
IMO there is no need for classification or seals in a typical DG set installation.
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
I am sorry but I have a real problem with that reasoning. OK, I have a home that I am building that is next to a commercial development. Because the zoning line may shift and I can convert my home to a business, I am told to wire it with MC cable instead of NM cable. I believe that is the same line of reasoning.
hardworkingstiff
Senior Member
- Location
- Wilmington, NC
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
I agree with Charlie 100%.
Just to make sure
I AGREE WITH CHARLIE 100%
I agree with Charlie 100%.
Just to make sure
I AGREE WITH CHARLIE 100%
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
Just kidding, I wholy agree.
Why would you be told that? NM is allow in commercial.
Just kidding, I wholy agree.
rcwilson
Senior Member
- Location
- Redmond, WA
Re: Generators and Hazardous Locations
I agree with you all. I would never classify a DG set installation as hazardous unless something else in the area made it so, then I would move the generator.
My comment on the possible future change from diesel to gas was just repeating what I read in the other thread about an inspector's "What If" reasoning.
I agree with you all. I would never classify a DG set installation as hazardous unless something else in the area made it so, then I would move the generator.
My comment on the possible future change from diesel to gas was just repeating what I read in the other thread about an inspector's "What If" reasoning.
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