Solobay bill would pump up safety at self-serve gas pumps

House passes bill that would set new rules for emergency shut-off devices at larger stations
 
HARRISBURG, Oct. 4 – The House today unanimously passed state Rep. Tim Solobay’s bill that would ensure safety at larger self-service gasoline stations by allowing emergency shut-off devices at each pump island.
 
Current law requires only one primary emergency control device within 15 feet of the station attendant, and not more than 125 feet from the furthest gas pump.
 
Solobay’s H.B. 1769 would address larger self-serve stations with multiple pump islands by allowing emergency controls to be located within 100 feet from the attendant and 100 feet from each pump island. The devices would be inter-connected so an attendant could quickly shut down all the pumps in case of an emergency. The bill would also allow the primary emergency control device to be located within 20 feet of the attendant and that pumps be in clear view of the attendant at all times.
 
“This bill would allow businesses to have larger stations with multiple bays, and still provide for customer safety by having the ability to shut off power to all the pumps in the case of an emergency,” said Solobay, D-Washington.
 
Solobay’s bill would bring Pennsylvania’s requirements regarding emergency controls in the Combustible and Flammable Liquids Act into compliance with the National Fire Protection Association standards. It would apply to all new construction, modification or installation of fuel pumps. Existing attended self-service stations would not be required to install additional shut-off devices provided they are currently located within 15 feet of the attendant and no more than 125 feet from the furthest pump.
 
House Bill 1769, which received bipartisan support in the House and is supported by the fire service community, now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
 
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