Decree No. 54/1999/NĐ-CP on the protection of high-voltage power transmission networks

DECREE OF THE GOVERNMENT

VArticle on the protection of high-voltage power transmission network safety

__________________________ 

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

At the proposal of the Minister of Industry,

 

DECREE:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1.

1.This Decree stipulates the measures for protecting the safety of high-voltage power transmission networks with the aim of safeguarding human lives and property, state assets, ensuring safe and continuous power supply, serving production, daily life, security, and national defense.

2.Protecting the safety of high-voltage power transmission networks is the responsibility of state agencies, organizations, and all citizens.

Article 2. In this Decree, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1."High-voltage power transmission network" refers to a system of overhead power lines, underground cables, floating cables, substations with nominal voltage of 1000V or higher.

2."Components of the power transmission network" refer to equipment and accessories installed on the power transmission network and architectural structures built to serve the transmission and distribution of electricity such as: wires, poles, beams, insulators, grounding systems, pole foundations, guy wires, retaining walls, protective earthworks at the base of poles, drainage ditches of substations, substation fences, electrical equipment, cables, information system equipment, cable trenches, markers, safety warning signs, and other auxiliary parts.

3."Exposed wire" refers to bare conductors without insulation covering.

4."Insulated wire" refers to conductors specifically designed with insulation covering.

5."Power cable" refers to insulated conductors designed according to standard insulation levels for each voltage level.

6."Safety protection corridor" refers to a defined airspace along power transmission lines or around substations, which has specified width, length, and height.

Each component of the power transmission network must have a safety protection corridor as prescribed in Articles 6, 12, and 14 of this Decree.

7."Protection zone" includes components of the power transmission network and the safety protection corridor.

8."Authorized high-voltage power transmission network management unit" refers to economic entities with legal personality operating in the electricity sector as prescribed by law.

Article 3. When designing and constructing high-voltage power transmission networks and related facilities, organizations and individuals must comply with all provisions of this Decree.

Article 4. Strictly prohibited are any acts that infringe upon the protection zones of high-voltage power transmission networks, causing loss of network safety, endangering people's lives, and damaging state, organizational, or individual assets.

Article 5.

1.Aircraft flying near power transmission facilities must maintain a distance from the nearest part of the facility not less than 100 meters and are forbidden from dropping any objects that could damage the power transmission facilities. For special defense and security missions or operations supporting maintenance, repair, and inspection of power lines, aircraft must comply with regulations set forth by the Ministry of Industry (involving the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, and the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam).

2.When construction of high-voltage power transmission lines with voltages of 220kV or higher is completed, the project sponsor must notify the Land Administration General Department to update the final route of the power line on the cadastral map so that aircraft operators are aware when performing their duties.

 

Chapter II

OVERHEAD POWER LINES

Article 6.

1.The safety protection corridor for overhead power lines is limited as follows:

a)Length: Measured from the point where the wire is attached to the outgoing pole of the substation to the point where the wire is attached to the last anchor pole before entering the next substation (or substations).

b)Width: Defined by two vertical planes parallel to the wire, extending outward from the wire, with distances from the outermost wire to each side when the wire is in its static state as specified in the table below:

c)Height: Measured from the bottom of the pole foundation to the top of the pole plus the vertical safety clearance as specified in the table mentioned in Point a, Clause 1, Article 7 of this Decree.

2.For ground-mounted or suspended power cables, the safety clearance on all sides is 0.5 meters from the outer surface of the outermost cable.

Article 7.

1.For vegetation within the safety protection zone of high-voltage power transmission networks:

a>Rice and crops must be planted at least 0.5 meters away from the edge of the pole foundation.

Other types of plants must ensure a vertical safety distance from the wire when it is in its static state to the highest point of the plant as specified in the table below:

For fast-growing plants that pose a risk of safety hazards (such as eucalyptus, bamboo, reed, teak, etc.), they must be cut down to the root and new planting is prohibited.

b>For overhead power lines passing through cities, trees must be pruned to ensure a distance from the wire when it is in its static state to the nearest point of the tree is not less than the minimum distance specified in the table below:

2.For vegetation outside the safety protection corridor, pruning must be done to ensure that if the vegetation falls, the distance from any part of the vegetation to any part of the wire is not less than the minimum distance specified in the table below:

Article 8. For houses and structures within the safety protection corridor:

1.Houses and structures existing prior to the construction of overhead power lines up to 220kV do not need to be relocated out of the safety protection corridor if they meet the following conditions:

a>Built with non-combustible materials.

b>Metal structures must be grounded according to current standards.

c>The vertical distance from the wire when it is in its static state to any part of the house or structure must be equal to or greater than the vertical safety distance specified in the table below:

d>Overhead power lines passing above houses and structures must implement enhanced safety measures regarding both electricity and construction.

2.For legally constructed houses and structures existing prior to the construction of overhead power lines, if they do not satisfy any of the four conditions listed in Clause 1 of Article 8 of this Decree, the project sponsor of the power line must bear the cost to improve them to meet those conditions.

3.Houses and structures within the safety protection corridor that need to be relocated for legitimate reasons must be compensated by the power line project sponsor to the owner or lawful user of the house or structure according to the law.

4.For houses and structures left within the safety protection corridor; the owner or lawful user:

a) Shall not exploit the roof or any other part of the dwelling or construction forpurposes that may violate the safety distance prescribed in point c, Clause 1, Article 8 of this Decree.

b) When repairing or renovating, must obtain the consent of the competent managementunit of the power transmission line and must apply safety measures.

5. The expansion or construction of dwellings or constructions within the protectionzone of power transmission lines up to 220 kV must ensure the following conditions:

a) Ensuring the standards prescribed in points a, b, and c, Clause 1, Article 8 ofthis Decree.

b) Obtaining written consent on safety from the management unit of the powertransmission line and permission from the competent state management authority.

c) The subject of the construction or expanded dwelling must bear the cost for thepower transmission line management unit to implement safety enhancement measuresfor the overhead lines passing through such construction or dwelling if those lines have not been enhanced according to regulations.

6. It is not permitted to allow dwellings or constructions where people regularlylive or work within the protection zone of high-voltage power transmission linesof 500 kV or higher, except for specialized constructions serving the operation ofsuch power transmission lines.

Article 9.

1. Prohibits carrying out any work within the protection zone of overhead lines ifequipment, tools, or means are used that may violate the safety distances specifiedin Table a, Clause 1, Article 7 of this Decree. In special cases, activities due tourgent security or national defense requirements must be agreed with the powertransmission line management unit to implement necessary safety measures.

2. Overhead lines crossing roads:

a) At sections where overhead high-voltage power lines cross with roads and railways,vehicles with a height up to 4.5 meters (including cargo on the vehicle) above the road surface are allowed to pass.

In cases requiring transportation of goods exceeding 4.5 meters in height, thevehicle owner must contact the power transmission line management unit toimplement necessary safety measures.

b) For electrified railways, the height of the high-voltage power lines at theintersection point with the railway when the lines are in static condition and fullyloaded equals the static clearance of the railway (7.5 meters) plus the discharge safetyspace specified in Table c, Clause 2, Article 9 of this Decree.

c) At sections where overhead high-voltage power lines cross with inland waterways, theheight of the power lines at their lowest point when in static condition equals thestatic clearance of the waterway according to its technical grade plus the discharge safety space according to the voltage level specified in the table below. Waterborne transport vehicles passing through the intersection point must ensure the safety distance specified in the following table:

For maritime traffic, specific provisions apply for each individual crossing case.

3. When it is necessary to carry out works on the ground or underground near orwithin the protection zone of overhead lines, such as earthworks, mining,construction of underground structures, assembly, repair, and other tasks involvingmachinery or equipment that could affect the normal operation of the lines or posea risk of accidents, the entity conducting these works must take safety measuresand obtain the consent of the power transmission line management unit.

Article 10.

1. Power lines shall not be constructed through economic, cultural, security,national defense, communication facilities, places frequently crowded with people,or historical sites ranked by the State.

2. In cases where it is necessary to construct power lines through the facilities andplaces stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, the following conditions must be met:

a) Consent from the competent state management authority managing suchfacilities. If agreement cannot be reached, report to a higher-level state managementauthority for resolution.

b) The overhead power lines passing through such facilities and places must havestrengthened safety measures regarding electricity and construction.

c) The section of underground cable connecting to the overhead power lines, fromground level upwards, must be enclosed in colored plastic tubing.

Article 11. When constructing power transmission facilities, the investor of the powertransmission facility must pay compensation costs for cutting trees, crops, movingor renovating dwellings or constructions to the owners or lawful users of suchproperties according to the Law.

 

Chapter III

UNDERGROUND POWER CABLES

Article 12. The protection zone for underground power cables is defined as follows:

1. Length: From the position where the cable emerges from the protection range ofone substation to the position where it enters the protection range of the nextsubstation.

2. Width: Limited by two vertical planes parallel to both sides of the cable route (forcables laid directly in the ground or water) or the outer surface of the trench (forcables laid in trenches) on each side as specified in the following table:

3. Height: Measured from the bottom of the foundation where the power cable isplaced to the natural ground or water surface.

Article 13.

1. Prohibits digging holes, stacking goods, driving piles, planting trees, buildinghouses or other constructions, anchoring vessels within the protection zone ofunderground power cables.

2. Prohibits discharging water or corrosive substances into the protection zone ofunderground power cables.

3. In cases where water or other substances are discharged outside the protectionzone of underground power cables but have the potential to penetrate, corrode, ordamage the cables, the owner or manager/user of the house or construction withwater or waste must take responsibility to handle it so as not to affect the cables.

4. When carrying out works in the ground or dredging riverbeds, lakes within theprotection zone of underground power cables, the contractor must notify the powertransmission line management unit at least ten days in advance. There must beagreement and implementation of safety measures for the cables. In urgent casesrelated to security or national defense, special provisions apply.

 

Chapter IV

SUBSTATIONS

Article 14.

1. The protection zone of substations is defined as follows:

a) For overhead substations without surrounding walls, the width of the protection zone around the substation is limited by the plane surrounding the substation with distances to the nearest live parts of the substation as specified in the following table:

b) For substations surrounded by fixed walls (or fences), the width of the protection zone is measured from the outer surface of the wall outward by 0.5 meters.

c) The height of the protection zone is calculated from the bottom of the deepest foundation of the substation structure to the highest point within the substation, plus the safety distance according to the vertical distance specified in the table at Point a, Clause 1, Article 7 of this Decree.

2. Within the protection zone of the substation:

a) Construction of houses and structures is prohibited.

b) Planting of trees (including climbing plants) is prohibited, except for flowers and ornamental plants under 2 meters in height.

Article 15. Houses and structures built near the protection zone of the substation must ensure that they do not damage any part of the substation, comply with current construction standards, and do not encroach upon the access routes of the substation; they must also not encroach upon the protection zones of underground power cable routes, overhead power line routes, drainage ditches, or obstruct the ventilation system of the substation. They must prevent wastewater from entering and damaging electrical facilities.

 

Chapter V

SIGNAGE AND SIGNALS

Article 16. At intersections between overhead power lines and roads, the placement and management of warning signs and prohibitory signs for vehicles shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Transport. The owner of the construction project after the intersection must bear the cost of placing the warning signs.

Article 17. The entity managing the power grid must place warning signs and markers on poles and substations.

In the following cases, white and red warning colors must be painted from a height of 50 meters upwards, and signal lights must be placed at the top of the pole:

Poles over 80 meters in height.

Poles between 50 meters and 80 meters in height at locations requiring special conditions.

When high-voltage power lines pass near airports within a range of 8,000 meters from the nearest runway, painting poles and installing warning signal lights must follow aviation industry regulations.

Article 18.

Along underground power cable routes, the owner of the project must set up markers or signs.

Where overhead power lines or underwater cables intersect with inland waterways, the power grid management unit must place and manage warning signs and markers on both banks in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Transport.

 

Chapter VI

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE POWER GRID

Article 19. Personnel engaged in the management, operation, and maintenance of the power grid must wear identification badges and carry work permits when performing their duties.

Article 20.

1. The cutting of trees as stipulated in Articles 7 and 14 of this Decree shall be organized and implemented by the power grid management unit, which must notify the management unit or the owner of the trees ten days in advance.

2. To quickly and conveniently repair sudden damages to power grid facilities, the power grid management unit has the right to cut other trees not covered by the provisions of Articles 7 and 14 of this Decree. Within ten days after starting the work, the power grid management unit must report the number of trees cut and compensate the owners of the trees according to state regulations.

3. It is strictly forbidden to arbitrarily cut trees under the pretext of protecting or repairing the power grid.

Article 21. The person entitled to use land where underground cables or overhead power lines pass through must facilitate the power grid management unit's inspection or repair of facility damages. Regular repairs require three days' notice; emergency repairs due to accidents should be reported before commencing work. After completing inspections and repairs, the power grid management unit must restore the site to its original condition.

 

Chapter VII

REWARD AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR VIOLATIONS

Article 22. Strictly prohibited are acts that infringe upon the safety protection zone of high-voltage power grid facilities, causing power grid safety hazards or endangering people, including:

1. Entering substations, dismantling or climbing onto parts of power grid facilities without a designated task.

2. Stealing, digging, throwing, or damaging parts of power grid facilities.

3. Using parts of power grid facilities for other purposes without prior agreement with the authorized power grid management unit.

4. Flying kites or other objects near power grid facilities.

5. Installing antennas, clotheslines, scaffolding, signs, advertising light boxes, etc., in positions where they may fall and come into contact with parts of power grid facilities.

6. Activities such as blasting, mining, storing flammable and explosive materials, chemical substances that corrode power grid facilities, burning fields, using construction equipment that causes strong vibrations or damages power grid facilities.

Article 23. Upon discovering that power grid facilities have been infringed upon, destroyed, burned, or severely damaged by natural disasters or other causes, the power grid management unit, local People's Committee, police, and military forces stationed in the area must cooperate urgently to rectify the situation to minimize losses and resume operations.

Article 24. Organizations and individuals who have achievements in detecting and preventing acts that damage or destroy the power grid, participating in protecting the power grid, and mitigating damage to power grid facilities will be rewarded according to the law.

Article 25. Organizations and individuals violating the provisions of this Decree shall, depending on the severity of the violation, be required to compensate, subject to administrative penalties, or criminal liability as prescribed by law.

 

Chapter VIII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 26. This Decree replaces Decree No. 70/HĐBT dated April 30, 1987, and takes effect fifteen days after its signing date.

Article 27. The Minister of Industry is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and guiding the implementation of this Decree. If exceeding authority, it must be reported to the Prime Minister for review and decision.

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for implementing this Decree./.