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Check the attached photo of a gasoline station.

Gas Station

The two panel boxes at the center of the photo (in the corner of the station) are standard panels (IP-67), which enclose standard circuit breakers for the main gas pumps of the station.

They are less than 7 linear meters on separation.

I would like to ask you, if you have experience on electrical EX-proof facilities:

Is there any mistake here? Or is everything right according to the EX-proof codes?

Brethlosze
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    It would be helpful for you to add what it is that you think might be wrong or out of code. – Chris Mueller Mar 10 '16 at 12:51
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    motor vehicles are never ex-proof, so the gas station can't be an ex-zone (has to be built so that it isnt). You still shouldnt smoke there. – mart Mar 10 '16 at 13:07
  • You have a point with that. But you must define Class I Division I and Division II areas at gas stations. I have concern by using those standard panels there, just as if it were any standard industrial zone. – Brethlosze Mar 10 '16 at 13:11
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    What is your jurisdiction/governing code? – Ethan48 Mar 10 '16 at 14:11
  • Better lets talk on terms of IEC, NEC, NFPA or other, whatever you have working experience on. – Brethlosze Mar 10 '16 at 16:53

1 Answers1

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I see nothing in your picture to indicate that the circuit breakers need to be explosion proof. They don't appear to be in a zone 0 location, nor would I expect that any explosion proof volume would extend thru the conduit to the circuit breakers. That just doesn't make sense.

Also, cars aren't zone 0 rated in the first place, and neither are all kinds of things you are allowed to have in the car and on your person while filling up at a gas station. The protection is between the gasoline and where you can get at it, not in the zone around the pump.

Your whole concept doesn't make sense.

Olin Lathrop
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  • Existing an undergroung gasoline vessel indeed force me to define Hazardous Area Classification as per NEC or NFPA, and calculation ventilations and so because of vents and fuel connections. Though i am requesting your experience on this particular situation. For me, it am not fine by looking that standard panel with standard breakers close (or inside?) to a Zone 2 area..... – Brethlosze Mar 10 '16 at 16:56