What are the 2023 NEC requirements for cannabis oil extraction facility electrical installations?
Overview
Cannabis oil extraction facilities utilize distinct groups of specialized equipment and systems throughout the extraction process
. To ensure the safety and security of these facilities, new NEC Section, 512.20, mandates that each of these equipment groups be clearly identified and installed in predetermined locations based on their specific application and function. These groups include
Cannabis Oil Preparatory Equipment, Cannabis Oil Extraction Equipment, Cannabis Oil Booths, Cannabis Oil Post-Processing Equipment, and Cannabis Oil Systems. This classification of equipment enhances their safe usage, thereby contributing to a secure working environment for all personnel involved.
Applying the 2023 Code
The recent legalization of the cannabis oil extraction industry for mass production has led to a notable increase in the number of facilities, ranging from large-scale industries to smaller booth-like structures. Alongside this growth, there has been a surge in various oil processing equipment and systems, each serving specialized functions. In response to this expansion and to ensure the safety and security of operations, the new NEC Section 512.20 imposes specific guidelines. These guidelines pertain to the installation and identification of five distinct equipment groups, which are categorized based on the functions and locations of associated equipment and systems within the facility. The first category is Cannabis Oil Preparatory Equipment, which includes machinery used to prepare the plant material for oil extraction, such as trimming, deseeding, and drying/curing equipment. The next category is Cannabis Oil Extraction Equipment, which involves equipment using solvents to extract oil from plant materials. The third category comprises Cannabis Oil Booths, which are enclosed spaces specifically designed to house cannabis oil equipment and systems. Cannabis Oil Post-Processing Equipment is the fourth category, encompassing equipment used in the final stages of processing extracted plant oil, such as vacuum ovens and solvent recovery pumps. Finally, Cannabis Oil Systems involve any combination of equipment needed for the entire extraction process, from preparation to post-processing. This comprehensive classification contributes significantly to a secure working environment for all personnel.
What’s New for the 2023 NEC?
The table below presents a comparison between the 2020 NEC and the 2023 NEC regarding Section 512.20.
2020 NEC |
2023 NEC |
| In the 2020 NEC, no reference can be found for Cannabis Oil Extraction Industry. | 512.20 Equipment and Systems
Installation of cannabis oil equipment and systems shall be in a distinct room or area located at commercial or industrial facilities. Where all electrical equipment within cannabis oil booths is listed for Class I, Division 1 or Zone 1 locations, gas detection shall not be required to be provided within the booth. Where gas detection in accordance with 500.7(K) is provided within booths listed for Class I, Division 2 or Zone 2 locations, electrical equipment shall be permitted. (A) Cannabis Oil Preparatory Equipment Equipment that is used to prepare the plant material for subsequent extraction of the plant oil (e.g., trimming, deseeding, drying/curing) shall be listed for the location. (B) Cannabis Oil Extraction Equipment Equipment that uses flammable materials (solvents) in the process of extracting the plant oil from the plant material shall be listed for the location. Informational Note: Extraction equipment can use flammable materials as solvents to extract the plant oil from the plant material by saturating the plant material in a vented container, sealed container, or pressure vessel. Typical flammable materials used in the extraction process include butane, ethanol, hexane, pentane, propane, and LPG. (C) Cannabis Oil Booths Enclosed areas used to house cannabis oil equipment and systems shall be listed for the location. Informational Note: Cannabis oil booths can be designed to house a single piece or multiple pieces of cannabis oil equipment. Booths range in size and can be large enough to permit entrance of personnel to perform the processing tasks. (D) Cannabis Oil Post-Processing Equipment Equipment that is used in the final processing stages of the extracted plant oil (e.g., vacuum ovens, rotary evaporators, solvent recovery pumps) shall be listed for the location. (E) Cannabis Oil Systems Any combination of cannabis oil equipment needed for the overall extraction process (e.g., cannabis oil preparatory equipment, cannabis oil extraction equipment, cannabis oil booths, cannabis oil post-processing equipment) shall be listed for the location. |
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