I was working in a petrol station today repairing lights (none of the lights on the forecourt were working) and I noticed that none of the lights are "intrinsically safe". Just wondering would that be a problem. All of the lights are standard fluorescent fittings w/ electronic control gears.

We had to run two new 3x1.5 SWA inside the canopy to feed the lights because the two 3X1.5 NYM-J that were buried under the ground weren't working anymore, similar problem a couple of months ago. We didn't wire the place in case you were wondering.

Also, About 1.5m from one of the petrol pumps was a manhole that had the NYMs in it along with a few 5core and 7core SWAs and a hole lot more NYMs all joined in j-boxes with no covers, twisted and taped together. It looked real nice, I wouldn't like to have been near it if there was a spark. Thankfully there's no power in the manhole anymore because we ran the new cables out. It's a pity I didn't have the camera with me because I'm sure it would have been a prime candidate for the violations forum.

Ross

Hazardous locations are a fairly specialised part of the electrical trade; a lot of "cussin' and dis-cussin' " goes into deciding just where the "classified location" boundaries are.

In the USA, our code typically defines the area around the pumps, to a heigth of 12 ft, to be "in the zone." So, naturally, all the lamps are mounted higher than that. (Not to mention the risk of a 13' truck trailer hitting them!)

Ross:

I am not sure where you are from but if this in USA we have classifed location for lumiaires as Reno explain but if from european area i am not well verised with their regulations some how it might be diffrent so if you state us where are you located maybe we can help you with correct regulations there


Merci , Marc

The regulations on petrol/gasoline stations are certainly very different on this side of the Atlantic than in North America.

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