How to Explosion Proof Gas Stations

As society advances, more gas stations are being built around us. Their omnipresence makes life convenient, yet the safety protocols, particularly regarding explosion prevention, become increasingly crucial. How can gas stations ensure effective explosion protection?

1. Preventing Man-Made Open Fires:

Crucial areas and components at gas stations, such as under canopies, around fuel dispensers, oil storage tank areas, business rooms, and adjacent facilities, including power or generator rooms, enforce strict no-smoking policies. Prominent no-smoking signs are mandatory in living and office areas. Places with open flames like canteens and boiler rooms should be located away from these critical zones, managed and monitored by specialized personnel, equipped with stringent fire safety measures and necessary firefighting equipment.

2. Static Electricity Sparks Prevention:

There are four basic ways to mitigate static electricity hazards:

1. Reducing static generation:

Gas stations can reduce static charge generation by using closed oil unloading systems instead of splashing methods, choosing appropriate unloading nozzle heads, minimizing bends and valves in pipelines, and controlling the speed of unloading and refueling.

2. Preventing static accumulation and accelerating charge dissipation:

Regardless of the methods used to control static generation, it’s impossible to eliminate static electricity entirely. However, preventing the accumulation of static charges from reaching the discharge voltage can effectively prevent static electricity-related accidents. This necessitates speeding up the discharge of static charges, typically through grounding and cross-bonding of tanks, pipelines, and dispensers. The use of plastic barrels for light oils is prohibited, and specialized static-dissipative devices are required for oil sampling. Tanker trucks must be properly grounded during unloading.

3. Preventing High Potential Spark Discharges:

To avoid spark discharges caused by high electrical potential, tanker trucks should only unload after a specified settling time, and manual measurements should not be conducted immediately after unloading. Personnel in explosion-prone areas must wear anti-static clothing and avoid actions that might generate static electricity, like putting on or taking off clothes.

4. Preventing Explosive Gas Mixtures:

To minimize the risk of explosive gas mixtures, measures include preventing oil leaks and ensuring closed oil unloading and vapor recovery systems to reduce oil vapor concentration.

3. Preventing Sparks from Metal Collisions:

In areas prone to fire and explosions, sparks generated by the collision of metal tools are a significant ignition source that must be addressed.

1. Causes:

Improper use of tools during maintenance or measurement in oil tank wells can generate sparks from metal collisions. Similarly, repairing fuel dispensers or performing vehicle repairs within refueling areas can also lead to spark generation.

2. Preventive Measures:

Gas stations should equip specially designed soft metal (copper) tools for use in hazardous areas. Vehicle repairs in refueling or tank areas are strictly prohibited, as is striking a fuel nozzle against a tank opening.

4. Preventing Electrical Sparks:

The electrical equipment used in gas stations should be selected according to national standards for the appropriate explosion-proof grade and type, fundamentally preventing electrical sparks from igniting combustible gas mixtures.
Operator Precautions:
1. In fire and explosion risk areas requiring auxiliary lighting, explosion-proof flashlights should be used, as ordinary flashlights can generate electrical sparks.
2. Without approval from professional technicians and safety authorities, operators must not tamper with or change the explosion-proof grade or type of electrical equipment.
3. The use of mobile phones in refueling areas and tank zones is strictly forbidden.
4. Electrical equipment repairs or replacements should be performed only by professionals.

5. Preventing Lightning-Induced Sparks:

The electrical effects and static and electromagnetic induction of lightning can generate spark discharges or arcs. If such sparks occur in hazardous areas, they might ignite explosive gas mixtures.
Preventive Measures:
1. To prevent spark generation, such as grounding for lightning protection and avoiding the accumulation of induced charges. Electrical facilities in Zones 0, 1, and 2 should be selected according to standards; reliable grounding should be installed in the canopy areas of refueling zones to prevent direct lightning strikes; the static grounding of fuel dispensers, hoses, and unloading areas should be maintained effectively.
2. During frequent lightning, cease refueling and unloading operations and cut off the power supply to prevent the formation of explosive gas mixtures and induction voltages in electrical facilities.