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Plan Clearances around Grain Bins

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Plan Clearances Around Grain Bins

During the past several years, more than two dozen deaths and serious injuries have occurred on Iowa farms, when grain augers have come in contact with overhead power lines. Safety is very important on farms and proper clearance from electric lines is a large safety issue between Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative and its members. 

When starting to plan for a new grain bin or move an existing bin, please contact Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative, (712) 647-2727 or (800) 822-5591, and Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative to ensure you of meeting the National Electric Safety Code requirements. We will provide assistance in planning for a safe environment for everyone working and living around grain bins. 

Iowa law requires specific clearances for electric lines around grain bins, with different standards for those filled by portable augers, conveyors and elevators, and permanent equipment. The Iowa Electric Safety Code found in Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 199 – 25.2 (3) b states: An electric utility may refuse to provide electric service to any grain bin built near an existing electric line which does not provide the clearances required by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C2-2017 “National Electrical Safety Code”, Rule 234F. This paragraph “b” shall apply only to grain bins loaded by portable augers, conveyors or elevators and built after Sept. 9, 1992, or to grain bins loaded by permanently installed augers, conveyors, or elevators installed after Dec. 24, 1997. This language has been adopted by the Iowa Utilities Board.

Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative is required by the Iowa Utilities Board to provide this annual notice to farmers, farm lenders, grain bin merchants, and city and county zoning officials.

Click here for the specific grain bin clearance regulations. Again, if you have any questions concerning clearance regulations, please call Harrison County Rural Electric Cooperative, (712) 647-2727 or (800) 822-5591, for the safety of everyone involved.