REQUIRED DISTANCE FROM GAS PIPES, LIQUID PROPANE TANKS, AND ELECTRIC LINES.

Transcription

1 REQUIRED DISTANCE FROM GAS PIPES, LIQUID PROPANE TANKS, AND ELECTRIC LINES. Subpart 1. General distances. The minimum isolation distances in item A or B must be maintained during construction, repair, or sealing of a well or boring, and installation of a pipe with flammable or volatile gas, an overhead or underground electric transmission, distribution, service, supply, feeder, branch, or conductor line hereinafter called electric line or line, or a liquid propane tank. The distances are measured horizontally from the closest part of the well or boring to the closest part of the pipe, tank, or line; or closest part of the vertical projection on the earth of an overhead or buried pipe, tank, or line. The minimum isolation distance between a well or boring and a pipe with flammable or volatile gas, an electric line, or a liquid propane tank is: A. ten feet; or B. five feet if: (1) the person constructing the well or boring, or the person installing the pipe, line, or tank, marks the well or boring with a permanent sign warning of the location of the electric line, liquid propane tank, or gas pipe; and; (2) during construction of the well or boring: (a) the electric line has been deenergized and visibly grounded, or insulating barriers not a part of, or an attachment to, the equipment or machinery have been erected to prevent physical contact with the line during well or boring construction; and (b) the propane tank does not contain flammable or volatile gas. A pipe with flammable or volatile gas means a product in the gaseous state such as natural gas; it does not refer to (liquid) gasoline. Natural gas is the most common gas in this category, but other flammable gasses such as oxygen are also included. The separation distance is required from aboveground and buried electric lines, gas pipes, and liquid propane (LP) tanks. The separation distance applies to all types of new wells or borings installed near an existing utility, or a utility installed near an existing well or boring. The distance is measured horizontally from the vertical projection of an overhead or underground utility onto the ground. Deenergization does not apply when collecting a water sample; however, appropriate safety precautions should be followed. The earth is not an insulating barrier. 187

2 An electric transmission line includes private electric service line(s) to or between a house or other building(s), but does not include electric wiring within a building. Between July 15, 1974, and August 4, 2008, the rules required a 25-foot separation to an electric line over 50 kilovolts. This requirement was removed in August Even though it is no longer a requirement, maintaining distances greater than 10 feet may be a good idea where high voltages exist, or where other conditions such as line sag increase the potential for contact with the conductor, or where future utility or construction work is planned. As indicated later in this rule part, this rule does not exempt persons from requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA requires a 10-foot (radial) separation between an electric line less than 50kV and the closest part of a mast. For lines over 50kV, the distance is increased 0.4 inch for each one kv over 50kV. Current OSHA standards should be consulted. A well or boring may be drilled between 5 and 10 feet from an electric line, a gas pipe, or an LP tank if the well or boring is placarded and the safety precautions are followed. The person constructing a well or boring between 5 and 10 feet from the utility, or the person installing the utility between 5 and 10 feet from a well or boring is responsible for installing the sign. The permanent sign warning of the location of an electric transmission line and/or gas pipe must be constructed of a weatherproof material (i.e., plastic, steel, brass or aluminum, not paper) that will remain legible for the life of the well or boring. If the permanent sign becomes unreadable or detached from a well or boring, then the well owner must replace this sign. ATTACHMENT OF PERMANENT SIGNS WARNING OF ELECTRIC AND GAS HAZARDS ABOVE-GRADE For wells and borings completed above-grade, the permanent sign must be attached in a visible location to the well or boring outer casing, or the protective overshot casing with appropriate adhesive or with a stainless steel or metal clamp, band, or strap. The sign may also be screwed or bolted to a concrete pump pedestal. The sign should not be attached to the cap. AT-GRADE For wells and borings completed at-grade, the permanent sign must be attached to the casing with a metal strap, attached to the inside of the vault with suitable adhesives or screws, attached to the exterior of the vault with bolts, or cemented or bolted to the concrete pad surrounding the vault. The sign may not be placed into the vault without attachment, nor attached to the vault cover or cap. Subp. 2 [Repealed, 33 SR 211] Subp. 3. Exceptions. Subpart 1 does not apply to: A. an electrical service line for the well or boring; B. a television, fiber optic, or other low voltage electric line with a voltage less than 50 volts; C. a temporary liquid propane tank used during the construction, repair, or sealing of a well or boring; D. an overhead electric line when the repairing or sealing of a well or boring does not involve the use of a drilling machine or hoist; or E. a buried electric line or buried gas pipe when the repairing or sealing of a well or boring does not involve excavation. 188

3 The requirements of this part are minimum standards, and do not exempt persons from more restrictive requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. It is recommended that the appropriate utility company be contacted for any additional safety precautions or requirements prior to any construction, repair, or sealing work. In summary: for gas pipes, LP tanks, and electric lines SEPARATION BETWEEN WELL OR BORING AND HAZARD RESTRICTIONS > 10 feet No MDH restrictions (consult OSHA regulations for additional requirements) feet Gas pipe placard. LP tank placard, remove gas or move tank during well or boring construction. Electric line placard and either deenergize and ground, or install insulating barriers (consult OSHA regulations for additional requirements). < 5 feet Not permitted. STAT AUTH: MS s 103I.101; 103I.111; 103I.205; 103I.221; 103I.301; 103I.401; 103I.451; 103I.501; 103I.525; 103I.531; 103I.535; 103I.541; 103I.621; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR LOCATION OF WELL OR BORING WITHIN BUILDING. Subpart 1. Location in a building. A well or boring must not be located within a building, and a building must not be constructed to enclose a well or boring, unless the building (well house) meets the requirements of this part. Environmental bore holes and monitoring wells are exempt from this subpart if sealed within 72 hours of the time construction begins on the well or boring. A well or boring may not be constructed inside a building. A building, building addition, deck or other structure may not be built over or within 3 feet of an existing well or boring, except for a well house, (see Minnesota Rules, part ). If a well or boring is inside a building, and the building above the well or boring is torn down, burns down, or is otherwise removed, a new building may not be built over the well or boring. 189

4 The purposes of the rule are to: (1) allow for service, repair, and sealing of the well or boring including access for a drilling machine, if necessary; (2) prevent contamination due to spills and leaks inside the building which would be contained by the walls and footings of the building; (3) reduce the release of toxic (hydrogen sulfide, radon) or flammable (methane) gas into a habited or confined space; and (4) protect worker safety inside a confined area. The 72-hour rule applies only to monitoring wells and environmental bore holes. The time starts when drilling begins, and sealing must be completed within 72 hours. Subp. 2. Requirements for a building (well house) containing a well or boring. A building (well house) containing a well or boring must: A. have adequate access for a drilling machine and hoist to construct, maintain, repair, and seal the well or boring; B. be constructed at or above the established ground surface. If a floor drain is installed, it must discharge to the established ground surface, a gravel pocket, or a sewer constructed to prevent backup of sewage within 50 feet of the well or boring; C. not be used to store materials or chemicals that may cause contamination of the well, boring, or groundwater, including fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum products, paints, and cleaning solvents; D. have a concrete floor sloped to divert water away from the casing; E. have a watertight gasket or caulk between the casing and the floor; F. have any door hinged to swing outward; G. be constructed according to this part exclusively to contain and protect the well, boring, pump, and water treatment equipment and water treatment chemicals; no other uses of the building are permitted; and H. not be contained in, or part of, another building, except that a well house may be constructed with not more than one wall in common with another building. The common wall must not allow access to, or be open to, the well house. This subpart details the requirements for buildings containing a well or boring, sometimes referred to as well houses. While simple repairs and pump replacement may often be done by hand or with simple tools, some work, particularly extensive repairs or sealing may require a full-sized drilling machine. Refer to Minnesota Rules, part for information regarding connections to a casing. Caulk may be silicone or other nontoxic materials. Well houses may not be below ground, or built into hillsides (walkouts). The floor of the well house must be at or above the established ground surface. Well houses may be attached to other structures, such as a lean-to built against a home or other building. Well houses may not be a building or room enclosed within another building. 190

5 Floor drains in well houses are not recommended. A floor drain must be constructed to prevent backup or flooding of the well house. This can be accomplished by use of an air gap as detailed in the Minnesota Plumbing Code, Chapter A well house must not have toilets, sinks, or other plumbing fixtures. Water treatment chemicals such as chlorine or polyphosphate may be stored in a well house. A well house for a remedial well may enclose the well and remediation equipment, including water treatment equipment, water treatment chemicals, and remediation product tanks, subject to appropriate backflow prevention. Subp. 3. Requirements for a well or boring inside a building. A well or boring located in a separate building (well house) must: A. have casing extending at least 12 inches above the established ground surface, and at least 12 inches above the building floor; and B. be located according to part , except that this does not apply to a removable well house. The preceding subpart (2) detailed the requirements for the well house, this subpart details requirements for a well or boring within a well house. Minnesota Rules, part requires the well or boring to be at least 3 feet from a wall. A well or boring in a well house is not required to be 3 feet from the walls of the well house except for the common wall of a building if the well house is a lean-to on the side of a building. STAT AUTH: MS s 103I.101; 103I.111; 103I.205; 103I.221; 103I.301; 103I.401; 103I.451; 103I.501; 103I.525; 103I.531; 103I.535; 103I.541; 103I.621; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR

6 DISTANCE FROM A BUILDING. A minimum horizontal isolation distance of three feet must be maintained between a well or boring and the farthest exterior projection of a building, including the walls, roofs, decks, overhangs, and other permanent structures unless the well or boring is located in a building constructed according to part A building, deck, or other permanent structure, except a well house, must not be built to enclose a well or boring. The well or boring must be accessible for repair and sealing. Environmental bore holes and monitoring wells are exempt from this subpart if sealed within 72 hours of the time construction begins on the well or boring. A minimum 3-foot horizontal separation distance must be maintained between a well or boring and the furthest projection of any building or structure. Building projections include roof overhangs and gutters and any attachments to a building including, but not limited to, additions, steps, canopies, porches, or decks. The 3-foot distance is measured from the outermost portion of the well or boring, including the vertical projection of the well or boring, to the closest part of the building, building projection, or structure. Buildings, building projections, or other structures may not be built over the top of a well or boring, and may not be built to surround a well or boring. Clear access must be provided so that a well drilling machine and hoist may back up to the well or boring to perform maintenance, repair, and permanent sealing. If a well or boring is located inside a building and the building is torn down or otherwise removed, a new building may not be constructed over the well or boring. STAT AUTH: MS s 103I.101; 103I.111; 103I.205; 103I.221; 103I.301; 103I.401; 103I.451; 103I.501; 103I.525; 103I.531; 103I.535; 103I.541; 103I.621; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] 192