Panel-board near oil tank

[ControlThis]

I have a question surrounding proposed location for a new panel board. First, I have a 275 gal oil tank for #2 heating oil in a home. The oil tank has a wall built around it with an access door. The inside of the wall is probably within 1 foot of the perimeter of the tank. This room is just large enough to house the tank. The proposed location of the new panel is flush mounted to the outside of this wall, with the back of the panel facing the oil tank. Is this ok? If so, does the back of the panel and wires have to be covered up or can I leave access to it from inside the tank room? The back of the panel would be about a foot from the tank. I couldn't find anything on this in the NEC and I'm not familiar with code surrounding installation of heating systems/oil tanks. Any insight would be grealty appreciated!

 

[controlsdude]

NEC

NEC talks about using a disconnect where oil is present but this is for >600v installations
Article 225.50 , 230.204 600v and above

Article 332 exposure to oil

Atricle 348.12 exposure to oil

If this is local, the best bet is to give your local electrical inspector a call and ask them. Otherwise you might be surprised when they show up for the inspection and you have to move it or did not run the correct type of wire.

 

[dpc]

Since it is #2 oil, I don't believe the hazardous location requirements apply. However, any wiring would have to properly protected in conduit unless it is rated for outdoor exposed use.

You need at least three feet clear space in front of the panel.

 

[ControlThis]

The installation is below 600v.
Does a panel or wire being near an oil tank constitute as being "exposed to oil"? I agree I should check with the building inspector, but last time I asked him a question on a questionable item, he told me he was not an educational provider??

 

[dpc]

Back when I was doing actual work, our company routinely specified explosion-proof level switches inside diesel fuel day tanks and storage tanks. Suppliers took exception to this 100% of the time stating that this was not required by ANY code.

Maybe things have changed since Boeing managed to blow up a jet fuel wing tank with a spark from a switch, but AFAIK, #2 FO does not require explosion-proof devices or wiring methods.

 

[itsmoked]

"[green]was not an educational provider[/green]"

Total jerkwad like all too many inspectors.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[dpc]

"was not an educational provider"

It also means he didn't know the answer.

 

[controlsdude]

go to this site on NEC

http://forums.mikeholt.com/

Maybe they can give you an answer