1910.106(g)(3): Fuel Dispensing Systems
Employers at service stations must locate dispensers so the whole vehicle is on the premises, separate and ventilate inside dispensing areas, protect units from collision, and interlock ventilation with dispensers. A clearly marked emergency power cutoff must be remote from the dispensers, and certain flammable liquids must be moved by fixed pumps that control flow and prevent leaks.
Key takeaways
- 1910.106(g)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 104 times in the last 3 years, in 102 inspections, with $89,688 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (49), NJ (11), NY (10).
- Related part: 1910.106(g) Service stations (188 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.106(g)(3) ("Dispensing systems") is one requirement inside 1910.106 Flammable liquids, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 6 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(3) Dispensing systems — 104 citations
(i) Location. Dispensing devices at automotive service stations shall be so located that all parts of the vehicle being served will be on the premises of the service station.
(ii) Inside location. Approved dispensing units may be located inside of buildings. The dispensing area shall be separated from other areas in an approved manner. The dispensing unit and its piping shall be mounted either on a concrete island or protected against collision damage by suitable means and shall be located in a position where it cannot be struck by a vehicle descending a ramp or other slope out of control. The dispensing area shall be provided with an approved mechanical or gravity ventilation system. When dispensing units are located below grade, only approved mechanical ventilation shall be used and the entire dispensing area shall be protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system. Ventilating systems shall be electrically interlocked with gasoline dispensing units so that the dispensing units cannot be operated unless the ventilating fan motors are energized. 1 citations
(iii) Emergency power cutoff. A clearly identified and easily accessible switch(es) or a circuit breaker(s) shall be provided at a location remote from dispensing devices, including remote pumping systems, to shut off the power to all dispensing devices in the event of an emergency. Open (g)(3)(iii) 25 citations
(iv) Dispensing units. Open (g)(3)(iv) 78 citations
(a) Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), shall be transferred from tanks by means of fixed pumps so designed and equipped as to allow control of the flow and to prevent leakage or accidental discharge.
(b)
(1) Only listed devices may be used for dispensing Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C). No such device may be used if it shows evidence of having been dismantled.
(2) Every dispensing device for Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), installed after December 31, 1978, shall contain evidence of listing so placed that any attempt to dismantle the device will result in damage to such evidence, visible without disassembly or dismounting of the nozzle.
(c) Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), shall not be dispensed by pressure from drums, barrels, and similar containers. Approved pumps taking suction through the top of the container or approved self-closing faucets shall be used.
(d) The dispensing units, except those attached to containers, shall be mounted either on a concrete island or protected against collision damage by suitable means.
(v) Remote pumping systems.
(a) This paragraph (g)(3)(v) shall apply to systems for dispensing Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), where such liquids are transferred from storage to individual or multiple dispensing units by pumps located elsewhere than at the dispensing units.
(b) Pumps shall be designed or equipped so that no part of the system will be subjected to pressures above its allowable working pressure. Pumps installed above grade, outside of buildings, shall be located not less than 10 feet from lines of adjoining property which may be built upon, and not less than 5 feet from any building opening. When an outside pump location is impractical, pumps may be installed inside of buildings, as provided for dispensers in subdivision (ii) of this subparagraph, or in pits as provided in subdivision (c) of this subdivision. Pumps shall be substantially anchored and protected against physical damage by vehicles.
(c) Pits for subsurface pumps or piping manifolds of submersible pumps shall withstand the external forces to which they may be subjected without damage to the pump, tank, or piping. The pit shall be no larger than necessary for inspection and maintenance and shall be provided with a fitted cover.
(d) A control shall be provided that will permit the pump to operate only when a dispensing nozzle is removed from its bracket on the dispensing unit and the switch on this dispensing unit is manually actuated. This control shall also stop the pump when all nozzles have been returned to their brackets.
(e) An approved impact valve, incorporating a fusible link, designed to close automatically in the event of severe impact or fire exposure shall be properly installed in the dispensing supply line at the base of each individual dispensing device.
(f) Testing. After the completion of the installation, including any paving, that section of the pressure piping system between the pump discharge and the connection for the dispensing facility shall be tested for at least 30 minutes at the maximum operating pressure of the system. Such tests shall be repeated at 5-year intervals thereafter.
(vi) Delivery nozzles.
(a) A listed manual or automatic-closing type hose nozzle valve shall be provided on dispensers used for the dispensing of Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C).
(b) Manual-closing type valves shall be held open manually during dispensing. Automatic-closing type valves may be used in conjunction with an approved latch-open device.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.106.
Export the list: 102 inspections cited 1910.106(g)(3) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: IL (49), NJ (11), NY (10), CT (6), TN (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WARREN HILLS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | WASHINGTON, NJ | $14,000 |
| PETROLEUM WHOLE SALE | ROCK SPRINGS, WY | $8,816 |
| TOWNSHIP OF DEPTFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT | DEPTFORD, NJ | $7,000 |
| MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT | FLANDERS, NJ | $7,000 |
| ROWAN UNIVERSITY FACILITIES DEPARTMENT | GLASSBORO, NJ | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.106(g)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.106(g)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.106(g) Service stations 188 citations
- 1910.106(g)(3)(iv) Dispensing units 78 citations
- 1910.106(g)(8) Sources of ignition 58 citations
- 1910.106(g)(3)(iii) Emergency power cutoff 25 citations
- 1910.106(g)(9) Fire control 21 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Where must the emergency shutoff be?
At a location remote from dispensing devices, clearly identified and easily accessible, to shut off power to all dispensers.
What ventilation is required below grade?
Only approved mechanical ventilation, and the area must have an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Can dispensers run if the ventilation fan is off?
No. Ventilation must be electrically interlocked so dispensers cannot operate unless the fan motors are energized.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.106 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-01
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.
