It is undeniable how important fuel pump stations are to your daily activities. Without fuel, you would be unable to drive to work or to carry out other daily errands.
However, it is also important to note that pump stations deal with highly flammable materials on a regular basis. Fuel contains flammable hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, and butane. Not only can they cause extensive fire damage, they can also pollute the environment if spills and other accidents occur.
As a result, pump station construction involves a series of important safety considerations. These are enforced by both local and national administrations to ensure that pump station construction proceeds safely and efficiently.
Zoning off sensitive areas
Pump station construction typically begins with steps that are taken to zone off potentially hazardous areas. Any part of the station that is expected to face exposure to high concentrations of vapours, flammable gases, and dust are zoned off from public access. This is to protect you and others from exposure to harmful substances that can affect your health.
There will also be areas of the pump station that will not be exposed to hazardous fuel vapours. These non-hazardous areas are safe for the use of electronic devices and the presence of people. You will find that the interior of the station where the main shop is will typically be safe of such vapours and risk factors.
Safety at the fuel pump
The fuel pump is the site at which petrol will be physically discharged into your vehicle when you visit the station. It is especially important for fuel pumps to be kept safe during design and construction of pump stations. You will often see signs that inform customers of basic safety practices to prevent any potential risks when pumping petrol into their cars.
The first step that is taken during construction is to ensure that fuel pumps are properly sealed to prevent the release of harmful vapours and the likelihood of flammable material coming into contact with the petrol inside the fuel pump.
In addition, customers need to adhere to basic safety regulations while at fuel pump stations. Some of these include:
- Turning off the vehicle engine when fuelling your car
- Not smoking or lighting matches when near a fuel pump
- Being careful with electronic devices when near pump stations.
- Avoiding to overfill or top off the fuel tank of your vehicle
The successful construction of a fuel pump station is dependent on the construction process itself and adherence to safety regulations by customers. These elements play an important role in proper adherence to safety when dealing with fuel and petrol.
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