SECTION 13: FLAMMABLE LIQUID DISPENSING AND OTHER FACILITIES

SECTION

13

FLAMMABLE UQUID DISPENSING AND SERVICE

STATIONS, GARAGES, BULK STORAGE PLANTS,
FINISHING PROCESSES AND AIRCRAFT HANGARS
13.1 SCOPE
(1) This Section supplements or amends the general requirements of this Code and applies to installations
as follows:
(a) Gasoline dispensing and service stations, and other locations where gasoline or other similar
volatile flammable liquids are dispensed or transferred to fuel tanks of self propelled vehicles.
(b) Commercial garages, repair houses and storage where service and repair operations of vehicles of
the type described in (a) above are carried out and in which more than three such vehicles are, or
may be, stored at any one time.
(c) Residential storage garages in which not more than three vehicles of the type described in (a)
above are, or may be, stored, but which will not normally be used for service or repair operations.
(d) Bulk storage plants where gasoline or other similar volatile flammable liquids are stored in tanks
having an aggregate capacity of one-car-load or more, and from which such products are
distributed (usually by tank truck).
(e) Finishing processes where paints, lacquers or other flammable finishes are regularly or frequently
applied by spraying, dipping, brushing or by other means, and where volatile flammable solvents
or thinners are used or where readily ignitable deposits or residues from such paints, lacquers, or
finishes may occur.
(f) Aircraft hangars used for storage or servicing of aircraft in which gasoline jet fuels, or other
volatile flammable liquids, or flammable gases, are used; but shall not include those locations
used exclusively for aircrafts that have never contained such liquids or gases, or which have been
drained and properly purged.
13.2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES
(1) The following references contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of the Ethiopian Building Code Standard on Electrical Installation of Buildings.
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(a) C22.1-12: 2012

Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, Safety Standard for Electrical

Installations, Twenty-second Edition.

(b) NEC Handbook:2005

National Electrical Code Handbook, Based on the2005 (NEC),

Tenth Edition.

13.3 GASOLINE DISPENSING AND SERVICE STATIONS

13.3.1 Hazardous Areas

(1) The space within a dispenser enclosure up to 1.2m vertically above its base including the space below
the dispenser which may contain electrical wiring and equipment shall be considered to be Class I, Zone 1
location.
(2) The space within a nozzle boot of a dispenser shall be considered to be a Class I Zone 0 location.
(3) The space within a dispenser enclosure above the Class I, Zone 1 location as specified in Subrule (1)
or spaces within a dispenser enclosure isolated from the Zone 1 location by a solid vapour-tight partition
or by a solid nozzle boot but not completely surrounded by a Zone 1 location shall be considered a Class
I, Zone 2 location.
(4) The space within 450 mm horizontally from the Zone 1 location within the dispenser enclosure as
specified in Sub clause (1) shall be considered a Class I, Zone 1 location.
(5) The space outside the dispenser within 450 mm horizontally from the opening of a solid nozzle boot
located above the vapour-tight partition shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location, except that the
classified area need not extend beyond the plane in which the boot is located.
(6) In an outside location, any area beyond the Class I, Zone 1 area (and in buildings not suitably cut off)
within 6 m horizontally from the exterior enclosure of any dispenser shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2
location that extends to a level 450 mm above driveway or ground level.
(7) In an outside location, any area beyond the Class I, Zone 1 location (and in buildings not suitably cut
off) within 3 m horizontally from any tank fill-pipe shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location that
extends upward to a level 450 mm above driveway or ground level.
(8) Electrical wiring and equipment, any portion of which is below the surface of areas defined as Class I,
Zone 1 or Zone 2 in Subrule (1), (4), (6), or (7), shall be considered within a Class I, Zone 1 location that
extends at least to the point of emergence above grade.
(9) Areas within the vicinity of tank vent-pipes shall be classified as follows:
(a) the spherical volume within a 900 mm radius from the point of discharge of any tank ventpipe shall be considered a Class I, Zone 1 location and the volume between the 900 mm to
1.5 m radius from the point of discharge of a vent shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2
location;

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(b)

(c)

for any vent that does not discharge upward, the cylindrical volume below both the Zone 1
and Zone 2 locations extending to the ground shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location;
and
the hazardous area shall not be considered to extend beyond an unpierced wall.

(10) Areas within lubrication rooms shall be classified as follows:

(a) the area within any pit or space below grade or floor level in a lubrication room shall be
considered a Class I, Zone 1 location, unless the pit or space below grade is beyond the
hazardous areas specified in Subrules (6), (7), and (9), in which case the pit or space below
grade shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location;
(b) notwithstanding Item (a), for each floor below grade that is located beyond the hazardous
area specified in Subrules (6), (7), and (9) and where adequate ventilation is provided, a
Class I, Zone 2 location shall extend up to a level of only 50 mm above each such floor;
and
(c) the area within the entire lubrication room up to 50 mm above the floor or grade,
whichever is higher, and the area within 900 mm measured in any direction from the
dispensing point of a hand-operated unit dispensing volatile flammable liquids shall be
considered a Class I, Zone 2 location.

13.3.2 Wiring and Equipment within Hazardous Areas

(1) Electrical wiring and equipment within the hazardous areas defined in Clause 13.3.1 shall conform to
the requirements of Section 12.
(2) Where dispensers are supplied by rigid metal conduit, flexible fittings of the explosion proof type
approved for the location shall be used between the conduit and the junction box of the dispenser in
addition to any sealing fittings and unions that may be required pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.
(3) Each circuit leading to or through a dispensing pump shall be provided with a switching means which
will disconnect simultaneously from the source of supply all unearthed conductors of the circuit.
(4) Where dispensers are supplied by a cable approved for hazardous locations, provisions shall be made
to separate the cable from the dispenser junction box without rendering ineffective the explosion-proof
cable seal.
(5) All non-current-carrying metal parts of dispensing pumps, metal raceways and other electrical
equipment shall be bonded to earth in accordance with Section 7 of this Code.
13.3.3 Wiring and Equipment above Hazardous Areas
(1) Wiring and equipment above hazardous areas shall meet the requirements and provisions of Clauses
13.4.3 and 13.4.4 of this Section.

13.4 COMMERCIAL GARAGES, REPAIRS AND STORAGE

13.4.1 Hazardous Areas

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(1) For each floor at or above grade, the entire area up to a level 50.0mm above the floor shall be
considered to be a Class I, Zone 2 location.
(2) For each floor below grade, the entire area up to a level 50.0mm above the bottom of outside doors or
other openings which are at or above grade level shall be considered to be a Class I, Zone 2 location
except that, where adequate mechanical ventilation is provided the hazardous location shall extend up to a
level of only 50.0mm above each such floor.
(3) Any pit or depression below floor level shall be considered to be a Class I, Zone 2 location which
shall extend up to the floor level.
(4) Adjacent areas in which hazardous vapours are not likely to be released such as stockrooms,
switchboard rooms, and other similar locations having floors elevated at least 50.0mmabove the adjacent
garage floor, or separated there from by tight curbs or partitions at least 50.0mm high, shall not be
classified as hazardous.
13.4.2 Wiring and Equipment in Hazardous Areas
(1) Within hazardous areas as defined in Clause 13.4.1, wiring and equipment shall conform to the
requirements of applicable Clauses of Section 12.
13.4.3 Wiring above Hazardous Areas
(1) All fixed wiring above hazardous areas shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of
Section 8 and suitable for the type of building and occupancy.
(2) For pendants, flexible cord of the hard-usage type shall be employed.
(3) For connection of portable lamps, portable motors, or other portable utilization equipment, flexible
cord of the hard-usage type shall be used.
13.4.4 Equipment above Hazardous Areas
(1) Fixed equipment which is less than 3.6m above the floor level and which may produce arcs, sparks, or
particles of hot metal such as cutouts, switches, charging panels, generators, motors or other equipment
(excluding socket outlets, lamps and lampholders) having make and- break or sliding contacts, shall be of
the totally enclosed type or so constructed as to prevent escape of sparks or hot metal particles.
(2) Lamps and lampholders for fixed lighting and that are located over lanes through which vehicles are
commonly driven or which may otherwise be exposed to physical damage shall be located not less than
3.6m above floor level unless of totally enclosed type or so constructed as to prevent escape of sparks or
hot metal particles.

13.5 RESIDENTIAL STORAGE GARAGES

13.5.1 Non-Hazardous Location

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(1) Where the lowest floor is at or above adjacent grade or driveway level, and where there is at least one
outside door at or below floor level, the garage area shall not be classified as a hazardous location.
13.5.2 Hazardous Location
(1) Where the lowest floor is below adjacent grade or driveway level, the following shall apply:
(a) The entire area of the garage or of any enclosed space which includes the garage shall be
classified as a Class I, Zone 2 location and will extend up to a level 50.0mm above the garage
floor.
(b) Adjacent areas in which hazardous vapours or gases are not likely to be released, and having
floors elevated at least 50.0mm above the garage floor, or separated there from by tight curbs or
partitions at least 50.0mm high shall not be classified as hazardous.
13.5.3 Wiring
(1) Wiring above the hazardous locations shall conform to the provisions of Section 8.
(2) Wiring in the hazardous location shall conform to the provisions of Section 12.
13.6 BULK STORAGEPLANTS
13.6.1 Hazardous Areas
(1) Areas containing pumps, bleeders, withdrawal fittings, metres and similar devices which are located in
pipelines handling flammable liquids under pressure shall be classified and comply with the following:
(a) Ventilated indoor areas shall be considered as Class I, Zone 2 locations within a 15m distance
extending in all directions from the exterior surface of such devices as well as 7.5m horizontally
from any surface of these devices and extending upwards to 900.0mm above floor or grade level,
provided that:
i) design of the ventilation systems takes into account the relatively high relative density of the
vapours;
ii) where openings are used in outside walls, they are of adequate size and located at floor level
unobstructed except by louvres or coarse screens; and
iii) where natural ventilation is inadequate, mechanical ventilation is provided.
(b) Indoor areas not ventilated in accordance with (a) above shall be considered Class I, Zone 1
locations within a 15m distance extending in all directions from the exterior surface of such
devices as well as 7.5m horizontally from any surface of the device and extending upward
900.0mm above floor or grade level.
(c) Outdoor area shall be considered as Class I Zone 2 locations within a 900.0mm distance
extending in all directions from the exterior surface of such devices as well as up to 450.0mm
above grade level within 3.0m horizontally from any surface of the devices.
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(2) Areas where flammable liquids are transferred shall be classified as follows:
a) In outdoor areas or where positive and reliable mechanical ventilation is provided in indoor areas
in which flammable liquids are transferred to individual containers, such areas shall be considered
a Class I, Zone 1 locations within 900.0mm of the vent or fill opening extending in all directions
and a Class I, Zone 2 location within the area extending between a 900.0mm and 15m radius from
the vent or fill opening extending in all directions, and including the area within a horizontal
radius of 3.0m from the vent or fill opening and extending to a height of 450.0mm above floor or
grade levels.
b) Where positive and reliable mechanical ventilation is not provided in indoor areas in which
flammable liquids are transferred to individual containers, such areas shall be considered to be a
Class I, Zone 1 location.
(3) Areas in outside locations where loading and unloading of tank vehicles and tank cars take place shall
be classified as follows:
a) The area extending 900.0mm in all directions from the dome (when loading through an open
dome) or from the vent (when loading through a closed dome with atmospheric venting) shall be
considered a Class I, Zone 1 location.
b) The area extending between a 900.0mm and a 1.5m radius from the dome (when loading through
an open dome) or from, the vent (when loading through a closed dome with atmospheric venting)
shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location.
c) The area extending within 900.0mm in all directions from a fixed connection used in bottom
loading or unloading, loading through a closed dome with atmospheric venting, or loading
through a closed dome with a vapour recovery system shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2
location except that, in the case of bottom loading or unloading, this classification shall also be
applied to the area within a 3.0m radius from point of connection and extending 450.0mm above
grade.
(4) Area within the vicinity of above-ground tanks shall be classified as follows:
a) The area above the roof and within the shell of a floating-roof type tank shall be considered a
Class I, Zone 1 location.
b) For all type of above-ground tanks:
i)

the area within 3.0m from the shell ends, and roof of other than a floating-roof shall be
considered a Class I, Zone 2 location; and
ii) where dikes are provided, the area inside the dike and extending upwards to the top of the dike
shall be considered to be a Class I, Zone 2 location.
c) The area within 105m of vent opening and extending in all directions shall be considered a Class I,
Zone 1 location.
d) The area between 105mand 3.0m of a vent opening and extending in all directions shall be
considered a Class I, Zone 2 location.
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(5) Pits and depressions shall be classified as follows

a) Any pit or depression, any part of which lies within a Zone 1 or Zone 2 location, unless provided
with positive and reliable mechanical ventilation, shall be considered a Class I, Zone 1 location.
b) Any such areas as in (a) above, when provided with positive and reliable mechanical ventilation,
shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location.
c) Any pit or depression not within a Zone 1 or Zone 2 location as defined herein, but which contains
piping, valves, or fittings shall be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location.
(6) Garages in which tank vehicles are stored or repaired shall be considered to be a Class I, Zone 2
location up to 450.0mm above floor or grade level.
(7) Buildings such as office buildings, boiler rooms, etc which are outside the limits of hazardous areas as
defined herein and which are not used for handling or storing volatile flammable liquids or containers for
such liquids shall not be considered to be hazardous locations.
13.6.2 Wiring and Equipment in Hazardous Areas
(1) All electrical wiring and equipment in hazardous areas defined in Clause 13.6.1 shall conform to the
requirements of Section 12.
13.6.3 Wiring and Equipment above Hazardous Areas
(1) Wiring installed above a hazardous location shall conform to the requirements of Section 8 and be
suitable for the type of buildings and occupancy.
(2) Fixed equipment which may produce arcs, sparks or particles of hot metal, such as lamps and
lampholders, cutouts, switches, socket outlets, motors or other equipment having make-and-break or
sliding contacts, shall be of the totally enclosed type or so constructed as to prevent the escape of sparks
or hot metal particles.
(3) Portable lamps or utilization equipment and the flexible cords supplying them shall conform to the
requirements of Section 12 for the class of location above which they are connected or used.
(4). All non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment and raceways shall be bonded to earth in
accordance with Part I of Section 7 of this Code.
13.7 FINISHING PROCESSES
13.7.1 Hazardous Locations
(1) The following areas shall be considered to be Class I, Zone 1 locations:
a) The interiors of spray booths and their exhaust ducts.

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b) All space within 6.0m horizontally in any direction, and extending to a height of 900.0mm above
the goods to be painted, from spraying operations that are more extensive than touch-up spraying
and not conducted within the spray booth.
c) All space within 6.0m horizontally in any direction from dip tanks and their drain boards, such
space extending to a height of 900.0mm above the dip tank and drain board.
d) All other spaces where hazardous concentrations of flammable vapours are likely to occur.

(2) For spraying operations within an open face spray booth, the extent of the Class I, Zone 2 hazardous
location shall be not less than the following:
a) Where the ventilation system is interlocked with the spraying equipment so as to make the spraying
equipment inoperable when the ventilation system is not in operation, the space shall extend at least
105m from the open face of the spray booth.
b) Where the ventilation system is not interlocked with the spraying equipment so as to make the
spraying equipment inoperable when the ventilation system is not in operation, the space shall
extend at least 3.0m from the open face or front of the spray booth.
(3) All space within the room, but beyond the limits for Class I, Zone 1 location as classified in (1) above
for extensive open spraying; for dip tanks and drain boards and for other hazardous operations, shall be
considered to be Class I, Zone 2 location.
(4) Adjacent areas which area cut off from the defined hazardous area by tight partitions without
communicating openings, and within which hazardous vapours are not likely to be released, shall be
classified as non-hazardous.
(5) Drying and baking areas provided with positive mechanical ventilation to prevent formation of
flammable concentration of vapours and provided with effective interlocks to de-energize all electrical
equipment not approved for Class I locations, in case the ventilating equipment is inoperative, may be
classified as non-hazardous.
(6) Notwithstanding the requirements of (1b) above, where adequate mechanical ventilation with effective
interlocks is provided at floor level:
a) the space within 900.0mm horizontally in any direction from the goods to be painted and such
space extending to a height of 900.0mm above the goods to be painted shall be considered a Class
I, Zone 1 location; and
b) all space between a 900.0mm and 105mdistance above the goods to be painted and all space
within 6.0m horizontally in any direction beyond the limits for Class I, Zone 1 location shall be
considered a Class I, Zone 2 location.
(7) Notwithstanding the requirements of (2) above where a baffle of sheet metal of not less than 1.25mm
is installed vertically above the front face of an open-face spray booth to a height of 900.0mm or to the
ceiling, whichever is lower and extending back on the side edges for a distance of 1.5m, the space behind
this baffle shall be considered to be a nonhazardous location.

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13.7.2 Wiring and Equipment in Hazardous Areas

(1) All electrical wiring and equipment within the hazardous areas as defined in Clause 13.7.1 shall
conform to the requirements of Section 12.
(2) Unless specifically approved for both readily ignitable deposits and flammable vapour location, no
electrical equipment shall be installed or used where it may be subject to a hazardous accumulation of
readily ignitable deposits or residue.
(3) Illumination of readily ignitable area through panels of glass or other transparent or translucent
materials is permissible only where:
a) fixed lighting units are used as the source of illumination;
b) the panel is noncombustible and effectively isolates the hazardous area from the area in which the
lighting unit is located;
c) the lighting unit is acceptable for its specific location;
d) the panel is of a material or is so protected that breakage will be unlikely;
e) the arrangement is such that normal accumulation of hazardous residue on the surface of the panel
will not be raised to a dangerous temperature by radiation or conduction from the source of
illumination.
(4) Portable electric lamps or other utilization equipment shall:
a) not be used within a hazardous area during operation of the finishing process;
b) be of a type specifically approved for Class I locations when used during cleaning or repairing
operations.
(5) Notwithstanding the requirements of (2) above:
a) totally enclosed and gasketted lighting may be used on the ceiling of a spray room where adequate
and positive mechanical ventilation is provided; and
b) infra-red paint-drying units may be utilized in a spray room if the controls are interlocked with
those of the spraying equipment such that both operations cannot be performed simultaneously;
and if portable, the paint and the drying unit shall not be brought into the spray room until the
spraying operations have ceased.
13.7.3 Wiring and Equipment above Hazardous Areas
(1) All fixed wiring above hazardous area shall conform to the provisions of Section 8.
(2) Equipment which may produce arcs, sparks, or particles of hot metal, such as lamps and lampholders
for fixed lighting, cutouts, switches, receptacles, motors or other equipment having make-and-break or
sliding contacts, where installed above a hazardous area or above an area where freshly finished goods are
handled, shall be of the totally enclosed type or so constructed as to prevent the escape of sparks or hot
metal particles.
(3) All metal raceways and all non-current-carrying metal portions of fixed or portable equipment,
regardless of voltage, shall be bonded to earth in accordance with Part I of Section 7 of this Code.

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13.8 AIRCRAFT HANGARS

13.8.1 Hazardous Areas
(1) Any pit or depression below the level of the hangar floor shall be considered to be a Class I, Zone 1
location which shall extend up to the floor level.

(2) The entire area of the hangar, including any adjacent and communication areas not suitably cut off
from the hangar shall be considered to be Class I, Division 2 location up to a level 450.0mm above the
floor.
(3) The area within 105mhorizontally from aircraft power plants, aircraft fuel tanks, or aircraft structures
containing fuel shall be considered to be a Class I, Zone 2 location which shall extend upward from the
floor to a level1.5m above the upper surface of wings and of engine enclosures.
(4) Adjacent area in which hazardous vapours are not likely to be released, such as stock rooms, electrical
control rooms, and other similar locations, may be classified as nonhazardous when adequately ventilated
and when effectively cut off from the hangar itself in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.
13.8.2 Wiring and Equipment in Hazardous Areas
(1) All fixed and portable wiring and equipment which is or may be installed or operated within any of
the hazardous locations defined in Clause 13.8.1 shall conform to the requirements of Section 12.
(2) All wiring installation in or under the hangar floor shall conform to the requirements for Class I, Zone
1 locations.
(3) Wiring systems installed in pits or other spaces in or under the hangar floor shall be provided with
adequate drainage and shall not be placed in the same compartment with any other service except piped
compressed air.
(4) Attachment plugs and socket outlets in hazardous locations shall be explosion-proof or shall be so
designed that they cannot be energized while the connections are being made or broken.
13.8.3 Wiring Not within Hazardous Area
(1) All fixed wiring in a hanger not within a hazardous area as defined in Clause 13.8.1 shall be installed
in metal raceways or shall be armoured cable, Type MI (Mineral-Insulated) cable, or aluminum sheathed
cable, except that wiring in a non-hazardous location as set out in 13.8.1(4) may be of any type
recognized in Section 8 as suitable for the type of building and the occupancy.
(2) For pendants, flexible cord of the hard-usage type and containing a separate bonding conductor shall
be used.
(3) For portable utilization equipment and lamps, flexible cord approved for hard usage and containing a
separate bonding conductor shall be used.

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(4) Suitable means shall be provided for maintaining continuity and adequacy of bonding between the
fixed wiring system and the non-current-carrying metal portions of pendant fixtures, portable lamps and
other portable utilization equipment.
13.8.4 Equipment Not within Hazardous Areas
(1) In locations other than those described in Clause 13.8.1, equipment which is less than 3.0m above
wings and engine enclosures of aircraft and which may produce arcs, sparks, or particles of hot metal,
such as lamps and lampholders for fixed lighting, cutouts, switches, socket outlets, charging panels,
generators, motors or other equipment having make-and break or sliding contacts, shall be of totallyenclosed type or so constructed as to prevent escape of sparks or hot metal particles, except that
equipment in areas described in 13.8.1(4) may be of general purpose type.
(2) Lampholders of metal-shell-fibre-lined types shall not be used for fixed lighting.

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