Safe Pharma

Firstly: Grounding vs Bonding :

Bonding and grounding provide the most effective means of preventing the buildup of
static charges that can cause sparking of sufficient magnitude to ignite the atmosphere in
a hazardous location.
Although not entirely safe methods, bonding and grounding are valuable ways of
preventing static charges from igniting the atmosphere in a hazardous location. Bonding
is a tight electrical connection between all metallic objects – such as pipes and tanks –
while grounding connects these objects to the earth.
Adequate bonding and grounding ensure that everything is at the same ground zero
potential and allows the safe discharge of electrostatic electricity to the earth – preventing
static sparks. It is also valid to ground each object separately when corrosion, vibration, or
maintenance activities may break the bonding connections.
The following are some standard practices for bonding and grounding equipment handling
flammable liquids, gases, and vapors.

Tanks and Vessels

Ground the shell of tanks that contain flammable products and those without flammable
products but located in a hazardous area. Grounding the shell drains the outside
charge but does not remove the chance of sparking inside the tank.
Locate a grounded, floating, metallic element on the internal surface of the tank that
touches the flammable liquid if a tank or vessel has a vapor space. Use a floating-roof
to help prevent surface sparking inside the tank and minimize the vapor phase volume.
Bond the roof and any floating internal blanket to the tank’s shell

 Metal tanks or vessels resting on earth and grounded for lightning protection
do not need separate static protection.
 Place a grounded metal plate in the bottom, contacting the liquid or a metal surface
on the coating, when a metal tank has a non-conductive liner. A tank liner is a material
used to create a strong, thick film and helps prevent chemical contamination,
corrosion, and leakage. These liners come as specialized fabrics made from different
heavy-duty materials.
 Bond the supply pipe and the tank.
 Wrap tanks and vessels with a grounded metal sheath or foil when made of non-
conductive material.
 Bonding and grounding may not be enough with a low conductivity liquid. A safe
practice calls for a relaxation time of about one minute and a flow rate reduction.

Metallic Piping
 It does not require additional grounding when it is electrically continuous and
in contact with an adequately grounded system.
 Do not allow the piping system components to become intentionally or
accidentally isolated by gaskets – such as gasketed flanged joints – linings, paint, oil
film, and similar. Bond any isolated sections.
 A word of caution: pay attention to the cathodic protection system, as gaskets
can serve to isolate the protected area. Consult the specialists in cathodic protection
before installing jumper cables across elements containing insulating gaskets.

Non-Conductive Piping
 Wrap a grounding wire around the pipe.
Secondly : points of grounding and points of bonding :

 Outdoor tanks :
Need to be protected against lightning and static charges due to induction
And are bonded to the pipes .
Firstly :protection against any static charges
the nearest electrical equipment to be earthed is the pumps working in correspondence with outdoor tanks .
therefore the ideal scenario is to bond the tank outer bodies and the pipes carrying flowing fluid to these pumps to gain
the earth potential and any leaked charges would be diverted towards the earth .

secondly: protection against lightning:

 Underground storage tanks :

 Metal tanks or vessels resting on earth and grounded for lightning protection
do not need separate static protection.

Note that
For earthing