Properly Build a Grain Bin

Thinking about building a grain bin?

If you're planning to build or move a grain bin, either on your property or for someone else, you need to be familiar with Iowa's law on required distances from overhead electric lines.  This law was put in place to provide protection from the hazard of contacting overhead electric lines to anyone working around grain bins with augers, elevators, or other equipment.

The drawing on the Grain Bin Clearance Guideline Sheet show specific clearance requirements related to permanently installed augers and portable augers.  There must be at least 18 feet between the top of any grain bin and any overhead electric lines.  These distances were developed by the American National Standards Institute and can be found in the 2007 "National Electric Safety Code," Rule 234F.

As your electric service provider, we're responsible for ensuring that these specifications are met.  In fact, in any situation where minimum clearance is not observed, the utility may refuse electric service.

So if a new grain bin is on your list of projects, please give us a call.  We will work with you in developing a site plan for your project.

Download the Guidelines for Grain Bin Safety brochure for a more details on grain bin safety.