Decision No. 07/2006/QD-BCN On the standards and conditions for using electricity as direct protective means

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY

ON TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND CONDITIONS FOR USING ELECTRICITY AS A DIRECT PROTECTIVE MEANS

THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY

WHEREAS, Decree No. 55/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 28, 2003 of the Government stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Industry;

AT THE PROPOSAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT,

Pursuant to the Electricity Law dated December 3, 2004;

Using electricity as a direct protective means involves connecting an appropriate voltage electrical source directly to the metallic structure of fences, barriers, or shields (hereinafter referred to collectively as electric fences) to prevent unauthorized intrusion into protected areas. When an intruder intentionally enters the protected area and comes into direct contact with the electric fence, they will be shocked, while the protection system simultaneously sends an alarm signal to alert the area's security personnel.

DECISION:

Article 1. It is strictly prohibited for organizations and individuals to arbitrarily use electricity as a direct protective means to protect their property, to trap birds or rodents, to protect crops, or for other purposes that may endanger people, animals, or the living environment.

Article 2. Technical standards for the electric fence system.

Article 3. 1. Electric fences must be designed and installed safely, avoiding accidental contact with people and livestock, not affecting the normal operation of the electrical system, not posing dangers to nearby areas and the living environment, ensuring stability during rainstorms, and maintaining aesthetic appearance.

2. Electric fences can be arranged in combination with other protective fences or independently but must meet the following conditions:

a) If the electric fence is arranged in combination with another protective fence, the electric fence must be placed above, with the height of the electrical conductor not less than 2.5 meters from the ground;

b) If the electric fence is arranged independently, both the outer and inner sides of the electric fence must have protective fences to prevent accidental collisions between people or animals and the electric fence. The distance between the electric fence and the protective fence must not be less than 2 meters.

3. Along the entire length of the electric fence on both sides, warning signs reading "STOP! ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD" must be placed in easily visible locations. The distance between two signs must not exceed 20 meters. The signs must be fixed at a height of 1.7 to 2.0 meters from the ground. The sign model follows TCVN 2572-78.

4. The voltage used for the electric fence is specified as follows:

a) Below 1000 V when using alternating current power;

b) No specific regulations apply for pulse voltage when using direct current power.

5. In the work area of the operator, there must be an alarm system with sound and light signals. The alarm system must operate when there is a power outage on the electric fence or when ground fault current or short circuit current appears. The alarm signal can only be cleared through an action by the operator. The regular operation of the alarm system must be checked each shift change using test buttons.

6. Conductors must meet the following standards:

a) Materials for conductors in electric fences can be sheets, grids, or wires, metal rods. If steel wire or steel grid is used, the cross-sectional area of the wire must not be less than 6 mm². In the case of copper or aluminum wire, the cross-sectional area must not be less than 10 mm². Single-wire conductors must not have joints in the middle of the span to ensure mechanical strength. If joints are necessary, the ends of the wires must be securely wrapped around insulating ceramic supports before being connected by clamps, twisted together, or welded.

b) Conductors must be firmly attached to insulating supports. The distance between two supporting insulators along the length of a conductor must not exceed 5 meters. The distance between two conductors of adjacent phases or between phase and ground must not exceed 0.20 meters.²c) Ordinary insulators must not be tilted more than 45 degrees from the vertical direction to avoid rainwater causing short circuits or leakage around them. If tilting more than 45 degrees is necessary, insulators with enhanced insulation properties must be used.²Organizations, units may only use electricity as a direct protective means when other protective measures are ineffective and must satisfy the following conditions: 1. Approval in writing by the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of Defense (for military units) according to Clause 4, Article 59 of the Electricity Law.

2. The electric fence must be designed by a specialized agency with legal personality in the field of electricity and approved and accepted by the agency allowing the use of electricity as a direct protective means.

3. Operators of the electric fence system must meet the following criteria:

Article 4. Conditions THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY

a) They must be professionally trained in electrical technology, holding certificates or diplomas issued by institutions authorized to provide such training.

b) They must undergo training and pass examinations on operating procedures, inspection, maintenance of the electric fence system, and electrical safety regulations, obtaining a certificate upon successful examination.

c) They must be trained in security operations at institutions with legal personality and authorized to provide security training.

4. There must be procedures and forms to manage operation, inspection, and maintenance of the electric fence system and electrical safety procedures.

5. The electric fence can only be put into use after the project owner has completed acceptance inspections as required, handed over all relevant diagrams and documentation related to the construction of the electric fence system to the operational management unit, and the operational management unit has assigned sufficient staff as required.

Procedures for applying to use electricity as a direct protective means

1. Organizations and units requiring the use of electricity as a direct protective means must prepare a proposal and submit it in writing to the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of Defense (for military units) for consideration and decision.

2. The agency responsible for approving the use of electricity as a direct protective means within its jurisdiction is responsible for conducting acceptance inspections, periodic inspections, and enforcing safety measures at agencies and units permitted to use electricity as a direct protective means.

1. The Industrial Safety Technology Department of the Ministry of Industry is responsible for coordinating with functional agencies of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Defense, provincial People's Committees, and provincial Departments of Industry to disseminate, guide, monitor, and inspect the implementation of this Decision.

Article 5. Procedure for applying to use electricity as a direct protective measure

1. Agencies and units that need to use electricity as a direct protective measure must develop a proposal and submit it in writing to the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of National Defense (for military units) for consideration and decision.

2. The agency responsible for permitting the use of electricity as a direct protective measure within its management scope shall be responsible for conducting acceptance inspections, periodic inspections, and correcting the implementation of safety measures at agencies and units permitted to use electricity as a direct protective measure.

Article 6. Implementation

1. The Department of Industrial Safety Technology under the Ministry of Industry is responsible for coordinating with competent agencies of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, provincial People's Committees, and Departments of Industry to disseminate, guide, monitor, and inspect the implementation of this Decision.

2. Agencies and units involved in accidents resulting in fatalities related to their own electrical fence systems must immediately report to the higher-level management agency within their sector, the police, military (for military units), and the local Industry Department for joint investigation, determination of causes, and responsibility.

3. The police, military, and local Industry Department are responsible for compiling statistics, analyzing, and reporting to the Ministry managing the sector and the People's Committee of the province regarding accidents involving fatalities related to electrical fences.

Article 7.

1. This Decision takes effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Decision No. 54/2001/QĐ-BCN dated November 14, 2001, issued by the Minister of Industry on the issuance of regulations on the use of electricity as a direct protective means.

2. Agencies, organizations, and units that have been permitted by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to use electricity as a direct protective means under Decision No. 54/2001/QĐ-BCN do not need to reapply for permission but must comply with the standards and conditions stipulated in this Decision.

3. Agencies and organizations that have been permitted by ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, and provincial/municipal people's committees under central cities to use electricity as a direct protective means under Decision No. 54/2001/QĐ-BCN must follow the procedures to apply for permission from the Ministry of Public Security as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 59 of the Electricity Law.

Article 8. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, provincial/municipal people's committees under central cities, the Board of Directors, General Director of Vietnam Electricity Corporation, and heads of relevant agencies and units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.