Bonding Grounding of Flammable Liquid Containers

An explanation of the difference between bonding and grounding as well as the hazards posed by static electricity.

The terms “Bonding” and “Grounding” are sometimes used interchangeably because of a poor understanding of the terms. The terms are defined below:

Bonding: The process of connecting two or more conductive objects together by means of a conductor.

Grounding (Earthing): The process of connecting one or more conducting objects to the ground, and is a specific form of bonding.

The words Bonded or Grounded must be understood to mean either that a bond or ground as defined has been deliberately applied, or that an electrically conductive path having a resistance adequately low for the intended purpose is inherently present by…