The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board amended the 2020 Regulations by inserting a reference to Part-L in Regulation 6 and adding Part-L (Fire & Emergency Response Augmentation – FERA) to Schedule-1.

Part-L applies to existing and upcoming priority petroleum locations classified as ‘Extreme Risk’, including installations with Class A and B petroleum storage exceeding 150 TKL, specified crude oil terminals exceeding 150 TKL, and clusters within a 10 km radius having cumulative storage exceeding 150 TKL. Implementation is prescribed within 5 years for 150–200 TKL, 3 years for 200–300 TKL, and 2 years for 300 TKL and above.

The provisions specify requirements for FERA facilities, fire water and foam systems, HVLRs, emergency control centres, dedicated firefighting manpower, training, ownership and cost-sharing arrangements, outsourcing, governing committees, audits and compliance. FERA facilities are required to provide emergency response within the prescribed timelines, including commencement of response within 30 minutes and control/extinguishment of fire within 65 minutes from initiation of firefighting.

“In Regulation 6, in serial no. (a) after the words “…. Part – I” and before the words “which covers….”, the word “and Part – L” shall be inserted.”

“In Schedule-1, after PART-K (Lube manufacturing and filling plants), the following shall be inserted, namely: – Part – L (Fire & Emergency Response Augmentation -FERA)”