Propane Tank

[laketime]

What does the NEC have to say about placing an emergency back up generator near a propane tank. Tank will be about 5' from generator.

 

[nakulak]

a 5 gal tank, a 10,000 gal tank, or a 2 million gal tank ? Is the LNG the fuel for the generator ?

 

[laketime]

a 5 gal tank, a 10,000 gal tank, or a 2 million gal tank ? Is the LNG the fuel for the generator ?

It is a 500 gal tank and it is the supply for the generator.

 

[tedge]

I'm not sure that the NEC says anything about it.

Our local gas company has a 10' minimum from any point of flash (generator) to the tank.

 

[rodneee]

What does the NEC have to say about placing an emergency back up generator near a propane tank. Tank will be about 5' from generator.

our most common install is a 200 gallon lp tank...we locate it 20 feet from the generator and 6 feet from the building...never had an issue, although one local building inspector required a small fence around the tank...

 

[renosteinke]

This is an 'engineering decision' to be made, as the NEC says, by a 'competent professional.' (At one time the NEC defined such a person as a licensed PE, but has since clarified their meaning).

When I had a similar issue ... a propane filling station near some switchgear .... I somehow was able to infer a 25 ft. "and not downhill from" rule, measuring from the nearest fitting to the nearest place that would make sparks in normal operation, straight line measurement.

 

[construct]

What does the NEC have to say about placing an emergency back up generator near a propane tank. Tank will be about 5' from generator.

I beleive the NEC is silent on this. This would be a question for your Fire Marshall or Fire Code Official. Her is an example under the 2006 International Fire Code: Section 3804.3 requires a minimum separation of 10ft to buildings, public ways, or lot lines. And a minimum of 3ft between containers. This is for tanks that are 251 to 500 gal.

 

[laketime]

Got my answer from the propane company that supplied the tank and services the customer. Drum Roll.........................10 FEET!!!! Once again. it pays to ask before you install.