**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 3095 in Lok Sabha, concerning the installation of firefighting and emergency response systems at all petrol pumps. The answer, provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, addresses the regulations and measures in place to ensure safety at retail outlets (ROs), as of December 18th, 2025. It details the roles of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in enforcing safety standards.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PNGRB Regulations:**
* PNGRB (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Dispensing of Automotive Fuels) Regulations, 2018, covers fire prevention and protection facilities at ROs.
* Entities intending to establish a retail outlet must submit a plan conforming to these regulations to Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) for approval.
* PNGRB (Codes of Practices for Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP)) Regulations, 2010, requires entities owning ROs to ensure the availability of emergency control systems, including fire protection and firefighting systems.
* **PNGRB Technical Standards Mandates:**
* Annual safety audits by OMCs or their representatives.
* Electrical safety audits every three years.
* Weekly safety checks by dealership or operating personnel.
* Quarterly mock drills as mandated in PNGRB – ERDMP regulations.
* **OMCs Initiatives:**
* OMCs provide adequate resources for fire safety at their retail outlets (ROs), including those in rural villages, border areas, and near refineries.
* ROs are commissioned only after strictly following stipulations laid out in Petroleum Rules 2002.
* PESO grants licenses to Public Sector OMCs after compliance.
* OMCs maintain standards through regular and surprise inspections, with action taken per Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG).
* **Emergency Preparedness and Training:**
* PNGRB mandates training and refresher courses for all personnel involved in emergency handling at ROs.
* OMCs provide regular safety training to petrol pump dealers and their staff.
* Periodic check-ups of all fire-fighting systems are conducted with immediate corrective action if required.
* **Risk Assessment and Mitigation:**
* Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) studies are conducted at Refineries and for various category of Petrol Pumps.
* Refineries are equipped with modern automatic firefighting systems, trained personnel, fire sensors, and preventive monitoring mechanisms.
* Emergency preparedness and firefighting arrangements are designed to protect unit personnel, assets, neighboring communities and prevent collateral damage.
* Awareness programs are conducted periodically for local communities and schools.
* Onsite-cum-Offsite drills are carried out in the presence of District authorities and mutual aid partners.
* District authorities are invited to witness preparedness in handling emergencies during drills and suggestions are included in emergency preparedness plan.
**Impact Analysis**
**Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)**
* **Impact:** The PNGRB is responsible for setting and enforcing technical and safety standards for dispensing automotive fuels, including requirements for firefighting and emergency response systems at retail outlets.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with all regulations, conduct regular inspections, and enforce corrective actions.
**Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs)**
* **Impact:** OMCs are responsible for implementing and maintaining adequate fire safety measures at their retail outlets, as well as providing necessary training to personnel.
* **Action Required:** Conduct annual safety audits, electrical safety audits, weekly safety checks, and quarterly mock drills. Maintain standards through regular and surprise inspections, and address deficiencies immediately.
**Petrol Pump Dealers and Staff**
* **Impact:** Dealers and staff are responsible for adhering to safety protocols and participating in training and drills to ensure they are prepared to handle emergencies.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training and refresher courses, conduct weekly safety checks, and follow emergency response procedures.
**Local Communities**
* **Impact:** Local communities benefit from the improved safety measures and emergency preparedness at retail outlets, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring the safety of civilians and property.
* **Action Required:** Participate in awareness programs and cooperate with authorities during onsite-cum-offsite drills.
**Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)**
* **Impact:** PESO is responsible for approving plans for new retail outlets and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
* **Action Required:** Review and approve plans for new retail outlets, conduct inspections, and enforce corrective actions.
**District Authorities**
* **Impact:** District authorities are involved in overseeing emergency preparedness and participating in onsite-cum-offsite drills.
* **Action Required:** Participate in onsite-cum-offsite drills and provide suggestions for improving emergency preparedness plans.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB): Regulates the downstream petroleum sector in India, including setting technical and safety standards.
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO): Regulates safety in the manufacture, storage, transport and handling of explosives, petroleum, compressed gases and hazardous substances.
PNGRB (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Dispensing of Automotive Fuels) Regulations, 2018: Regulations defining technical and safety standards for retail outlets dispensing automotive fuels.
PNGRB (Codes of Practices for Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP)) Regulations, 2010: Regulations for emergency response and disaster management plans at retail outlets.
Petroleum Rules 2002: Rules governing the petroleum industry operations and safety standards.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3095
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18th December, 2025
Installation of Firefighting and Emergency Response Systems at all Petrol Pumps
3095. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:
पे(cid:282)ो(cid:871)लयम एवं (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस मं(cid:287)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ministry has assessed the current status of firefighting and emergency response systems
installed at all petrol pumps both new and existing, particularly those located in rural villages, border
areas and near refineries across the Amritsar district and other border belts across the country, if so, the
details thereof, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Ministry along with concerned Departments proposes to conduct risk assessments and
mock drills in these high-risk zones, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether emergency preparedness protocols are being implemented to address fire outbreaks or
chemical hazards, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether petrol pumps and refineries are adequately equipped with modern automatic firefighting
systems, trained personnel, fire sensors and preventive monitoring mechanisms, if so, the details
thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Ministry to ensure the safety of civilians and property in the event of
explosions or any such mishaps?
ANSWER
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475)मं(cid:361)ी
((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (e) The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has notified PNGRB (Technical
Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Dispensing of Automotive Fuels)
Regulations, 2018, which, inter alia, includes provisions with respect to fire prevention & protection
facilities at Retail outlets (RO) dispensing Automotive fuels such as Motor Spirit (MS), High Speed
Diesel (HSD) and their variants. As per the said regulations, any entity which intends to set up a retail
outlet, is required to make available its plan including design consideration conforming to these
Regulations to Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) for its approval. Further, PNGRB
has notified (Codes of Practices for Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP))
Regulations, 2010, under which entities owning ROs shall ensure the availability of emergency control
systems and facilities which includes Fire protection & Firefighting system, etc.
The PNGRB Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards mandate the following
measures:-i. Annual safety audit by an officer of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) or its authorised
representative.
ii. Electrical safety audit once every three years.
iii. Weekly safety checks by the dealership or operating personnel.
iv. Mock Drills conducted on quarterly basis as mandated in PNGRB – ERDMP regulations.
Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) namely Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL),
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
have informed that adequate resources for fire safety are provided at their Retail Outlets (ROs) [petrol
pumps] both new and existing, including those located in rural villages, border areas and near refineries
across the Amritsar district and other border belts across the country in all State/ UT as per Petroleum
and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) Guidelines. A RO is commissioned only after strictly
following stipulations as laid out in Petroleum Rules 2002, as amended from time to time. After
compliance with all the said stipulations, PESO grants license to Public Sector OMCs to operate the
RO. Further, the Public Sector OMCs strive to maintain these standards by means of regular and
surprise inspection, and strict action is taken as per Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) in case
deficiencies are noticed.
PNGRB (Codes of Practices for Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP)
Regulations, 2010, mandate imparting of training and refresher courses to all the personnel (including
employees, contract workers, transport crew and security personnel) likely to be involved directly or
indirectly in emergency handling at ROs. Public Sector OMCs also provide regular training on safety
aspects to petrol pump dealers and their staff. Periodic check-up of all fire-fighting systems available at
retail outlets are checked and corrective action is taken immediately, if required.
Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) studies are carried out at Refineries and for various category of
Petrol Pumps based on combinations of products handled at these Petrol Pumps, which help assess risks
and guide measures to protect nearby people and property.
Further, refineries are equipped with modern automatic firefighting systems, trained personnel, fire
sensors and preventive monitoring mechanisms as stipulated under various applicable statutory,
regulatory and Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) standard requirements.
Emergency preparedness and firefighting arrangements are designed and installed not only to protect
unit personnel and assets but also to ensure the safety of neighbouring communities and prevent
collateral damage to civilian property. Awareness programs are conducted periodically for local
communities and schools in nearby areas to ensure public awareness of safety procedures. Onsite-cum-
Offsite drills are also carried out in the presence of District authorities and mutual aid partners.
District authorities are also invited to witness preparedness in handling various emergencies during the
on-site disaster management drills and suggestions, if any are included in emergency preparedness
plan.
These provisions collectively ensure regular monitoring and adherence to safety norms including fire
safety at ROs.
****