1910.110(b)(17): LP-Gas Electrical Equipment and Ignition Sources
Employers must install electrical equipment and wiring at LP-Gas facilities according to Subpart S, and keep open flames and other ignition sources out of vaporizer rooms, pumphouses, container charging rooms and similar locations. Open flames, cutting, welding, portable electric tools and extension lights that could ignite LP-Gas are not allowed in the classified areas of Table H-28 unless the facilities are freed of all liquid and vapor or special precautions are taken under carefully controlled conditions.
Key takeaways
- 1910.110(b)(17) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 2 times in the last 3 years, in 2 inspections, with $11,966 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.110(b) Basic rules (79 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.110(b)(17) ("Electrical equipment and other sources of ignition") is one requirement inside 1910.110 Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 5 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
(17) Electrical equipment and other sources of ignition. 2 citations
(i) Electrical equipment and wiring shall be of a type specified by and shall be installed in accordance with subpart S of this part, for ordinary locations except that fixed electrical equipment in classified areas shall comply with subparagraph (18) of this paragraph.
(ii) Open flames or other sources of ignition shall not be permitted in vaporizer rooms (except those housing direct-fired vaporizers), pumphouses, container charging rooms or other similar locations. Direct-fired vaporizers shall not be permitted in pumphouses or container charging rooms.
(iii) Liquefied petroleum gas storage containers do not require lightning protection.
(iv) Since liquefied petroleum gas is contained in a closed system of piping and equipment, the system need not be electrically conductive or electrically bonded for protection against static electricity.
(v) Open flames (except as provided for in paragraph (b)(11) of this section), cutting or welding, portable electric tools, and extension lights capable of igniting LP-Gas, shall not be permitted within classified areas specified in Table H-28 unless the LP-Gas facilities have been freed of all liquid and vapor, or special precautions observed under carefully controlled conditions. Open (b)(17)(v) 2 citations
| Part | Location | Extent of classified area 1 | Equipment shall be suitable for Class 1, Group D 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Storage containers other than DOT cylinders | Within 15 feet in all directions from connections, except connections otherwise covered in Table H-28 | Division 2. |
| B | Tank vehicle and tank car loading and unloading 3 | Within 5 feet in all directions from connections regularly made or disconnected for product transfer | Division 1. |
| Beyond 5 feet but within 15 feet in all directions from a point where connections are regularly made or disconnected and within the cylindrical volume between the horizontal equator of the sphere and grade. (See Figure H-1) | Division 2. | ||
| C | Gage vent openings other than those on DOT cylinders | Within 5 feet in all directions from point of discharge Beyond 5 feet but within 15 feet in all directions from point of discharge |
Division 1. |
| Division 2. | |||
| D | Relief valve discharge other than those on DOT cylinders | Within direct path of discharge | Division 1. |
| Within 5 feet in all directions from point of discharge | Division 1. | ||
| Beyond 5 feet but within 15 feet in all directions from point of discharge except within the direct path of discharge | Division 2. | ||
| E | Pumps, compressors, gas-air mixers and vaporizers other than direct fired | ||
| Indoors without ventilation | Entire room and any adjacent room not separated by a gastight partition | Division 1. | |
| Within 15 feet of the exterior side of any exterior wall or roof that is not vaportight or within 15 feet of any exterior opening | Division 2. | ||
| Indoors with adequate ventilation 4 | Entire room and any adjacent room not separated by a gastight partition | Division 2. | |
| Outdoors in open air at or abovegrade | Within 15 feet in all directions from this equipment and within the cylindrical volume between the horizontal equator of the sphere and grade. See Figure H-1 | Division 2. | |
| F | Service Station Dispensing Units | Entire space within dispenser enclosure, and 18 inches horizontally from enclosure exterior up to an elevation 4 ft. above dispenser base. Entire pit or open space beneath dispenser | Division 1. |
| Up to 18 inches abovegrade within 20 ft. horizontally from any edge of enclosure | Division 2. | ||
| Note: For pits within this area, see part F of this table. | |||
| G | Pits or trenches containing or located beneath LP-Gas valves, pumps, compressors, regulators, and similar equipment | ||
| Without mechanical ventilation | Entire pit or trench | Division 1. | |
| Entire room and any adjacent room not separated by a gastight partition | Division 1. | ||
| Within 15 feet in all directions from pit or trench when located outdoors | Division 2. | ||
| With adequate mechanical ventilation | Entire pit or trench | Division 2. | |
| Entire room and any adjacent room not separated by a gastight partition | Division 2. | ||
| Within 15 feet in all directions from pit or trench when located outdoors | Division 2. | ||
| H | Special buildings or rooms for storage of portable containers | Entire room | Division 2. |
| Pipelines and connections containing operational bleeds, drips, vents or drains | Within 5 ft. in all directions from point of discharge Beyond 5 ft. from point of discharge, same as part E of this table |
Division 1. | |
| J | Container filling: | ||
| Indoors without ventilation | Entire room | Division 1. | |
| Indoors with adequate ventilation 4 | Within 5 feet in all directions from connections regularly made or disconnected for product transfer | Division 1. | |
| Beyond 5 feet and entire room | Division 2. | ||
| Outdoors in open air | Within 5 feet in all directions from connections regularly made or disconnected for product transfer | Division 1. | |
| Beyond 5 feet but within 15 feet in all directions from a point where connections are regularly made or disconnected and within the cylindrical volume between the horizontal equator of the sphere and grade. (See Figure H-1) | Division 2. | ||
| 1 The classified area shall not extend beyond an unpierced wall, roof, or solid vaportight partition. | |||
| 2 See subpart S of this part. | |||
| 3 When classifying extent of hazardous area, consideration shall be given to possible variations in the spotting of tank cars and tank vehicles at the unloading points and the effect these variations of actual spotting point may have on the point of connection. | |||
| 4 Ventilation, either natural or mechanical, is considered adequate when the concentration of the gas in a gas-air mixture does not exceed 25 percent of the lower flammable limit under normal operating conditions. | |||
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.110.
Export the list: 2 inspections cited 1910.110(b)(17) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.110(b)(17).
At 2:46 p.m. on September 16, 2024, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were conducting inspections and maintenance on a tanker trailer that had previously been used totransport propane. The tank was to be emptied using a process called flaring, inwhich the remaining gas in the…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.110(b)(17).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.110(b) Basic rules 79 citations
- 1910.110(b)(6) Location of containers and regulating equipment 48 citations
- 1910.110(b)(6)(vi) 23 citations
- 1910.110(b)(6)(i) 17 citations
- 1910.110(b)(6)(ii) 4 citations
- 1910.110(b)(16) Instructions 3 citations
- 1910.110(b)(14) Transfer of liquids 2 citations
- 1910.110(b)(17)(v) 2 citations
- 1910.110(b)(9) Hose specifications 2 citations
- 1910.110(b)(9)(vii) 1 citations
- 1910.110(b)(14)(i)
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Frequently asked questions
Where are open flames banned at LP-Gas facilities?
In vaporizer rooms (except those housing direct-fired vaporizers), pumphouses, container charging rooms and similar locations.
Do LP-Gas storage containers need lightning protection?
No, the rule says LP-Gas storage containers do not require lightning protection.
Can I weld in a classified area?
Only if the LP-Gas facilities have been freed of all liquid and vapor, or special precautions are observed under carefully controlled conditions.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.110 (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 2026-11-06
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.