Since 2014, two workers in B.C. have been seriously injured in flash fires linked to non-bonded fuel hoses (i.e., hoses that cannot dissipate static electricity). In the second incident, the worker’s injuries were fatal. This bulletin explains the hazards. We aim to ensure that everyone involved in the storage, transportation, delivery, and transfer of fuel understands that fuel hoses must be adequately bonded and should be designed to meet the requirements of ULC Standard CAN/ULC-S612 for dissipating static electricity.
Hydrocarbon fuels like diesel and gasoline are capable of both generating and storing static electricity. A means of dissipating static electricity must be built into any system used for storing, handling, transferring, or dispensing flammable or combustible liquids used as fuel.
Static electricity is created when materials move against each other or when an uncharged object comes near a charged surface. Once generated, static electricity can remain stored on materials or workers without any obvious indication it’s there. In flammable or explosive atmospheres, a discharge of static electricity can become an ignition source, resulting in fires and/or explosions.
Bonding involves connecting all components in a system using a conductive material, usually a wire. Bonding ensures that the static charge remains the same between the materials, preventing potentially dangerous static sparks.
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