• Published: June 2024
• REF/ISBN: 978 1 78725 425 1
• Edition: 4th
• Status: Current

Essential reading for all those involved in the fuels distribution and supply chain, this document provides up to date guidance on key equipment, procedures and operational practices used for reducing static electric ignition risk.

In the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), Regulation 5 requires a risk assessment to be undertaken to assess the likelihood that ignition sources, including electrostatic discharges will arise from substances in the workplace. This Model code provides an explanation of static electricity concepts, how static electric charge is generated in petroleum operations and a model assessment of the ignition risk posed by static electricity. It also provides an overview of petroleum product characteristics and equipment requirements.

Detailed operational guidance is provided for different parts of the fuels distribution chain, including road and rail loading, product storage and transfer operations, including sampling and gauging, ship and barge loading and unloading, product deliveries,  filling station operations, barrel drum and container filling, maintenance and testing and aircraft fuel handling.

The 4th edition of this Model Code provides new and revised information on:

- relevant standards;

- new materials introduced into the industry;

- risks of accumulating static charges from portable electronic equipment;

- earthing, and inspection of earthing, and

- reference to some incident investigations

To complement this publication, the EI has also produced Controlling the risk from static electricity, (currently under review and update) a training tool, which communicates key concepts around static charge generation, and the control measures in place within the petroleum industry to reduce static electric ignition risk.

The new training video will be made available later in 2024 on the EI website.