Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority

LAYOUT PLANS FOR INSTALLATION OF LPG

AUTOGAS STATIONS
1.0 BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION:

The Federal government in a meeting held on 21st September, 2005 considered the
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources summary and approved in principle the
use of LPG in motor vehicles, subject to Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA)
providing a regulatory frame work ensuring comprehensive safety standards. In this
regard, the OGRA has devised a regulatory framework to ensure effective regulation,
efficient monitoring and public/consumer safety.

The Regulatory Framework for the use of LPG in the Auto sector has become a part of
LPG (Production and Distribution) Rules 2001 as an Appendix V by an amendment
through S.R.O. 256 (I)/ 2007 Islamabad, the 10th March, 2007.

The Regulatory Framework provides a general criteria for installation of LPG Autogas
Stations. Now OGRA has prepared a Brochure containing guidelines / layout plans in
accordance with the approved Regulatory Framework, showing details, including the
minimum required inter distances for the equipment, storage tanks/built- up areas etc.
under NFPA-58. In view of the foregoing, the layout plans were developed, taking into
account the following categories:

Stand alone LPG Autogas station

LPG Autogas station co- located with CNG, Gasoline & Diesel.
2.0 DISCUSSION ON REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & DEVELOPED
LAYOUTS:

2.1 Regulatory Framework

The Regulatory Framework contains the following criteria to setup LPG Autogas
Stations:

The LPG Auto refueling/dispensing station shall only be located on roads/highways

having minimum 60 feet width.

The LPG Auto refueling/dispensing station shall not be located in congested or

residential areas nor should any of the adjacent buildings is used for
accommodation or public gathering of any sort.

The installation of LPG refueling station shall conform to the technical standards
prescribed in LPG (production & distribution) Rules, 2001 & NFPA 58.

For ensuring safety, the storage capacity at an LPG auto refueling/dispensing

station shall be limited to 10 metric tons (max.).

In addition to the requirements of NFPA-58, the minimum area for the installation
of LPG auto refueling / dispensing station shall be in no case is less than 10,000 sq.
Feet with a minimum 80 feet frontage and depth.

Only brand new equipment shall be installed at the refueling / dispensing station i.e.
use of second hand equipment shall not be allowed.

Conversion kit and cylinder shall only be installed at licensee approved centers and
installed vehicle shall have the respective licensees seal of compliance to NFPA-
58, otherwise it will be considered illegal.
2.2 Layout Criteria

As part of development of layouts for LPG Autogas stations following criteria has been
developed based on NFPA-58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code).

The minimum distance between LPG vessels and property lines shall be atleast 50ft
as per table 6.3.1.

The minimum distance between LPG vessels and any combustible material/dry
grass shall be atleast 50ft as per table 6.3.1.

The minimum distance between LPG vessels and property lines shall be atleast 10ft
as per section 6.24 (Alternate Provisions for Installation of ASME containers),
which requires use of fail- safe product control measures and low emission transfer
concepts.

The minimum distance between LPG vessels and buildings with fire resistant walls
shall be atleast 10ft as per section 6.24.

The minimum distance between LPG vessels and any combustible material/dry
grass shall be atleast 10ft as per section 6.4.5.2 and 6.4.5.4.

The minimum distance of LPG vessels vent and any source of ignition/open flame
shall be atleast 10ft and per table 6.3.9.

The minimum distance between LPG vessels and any above ground petrol/diesel
storage shall be atleast 20ft as per section 6.4.5.5.
 The minimum distance between LPG vessels and auto dispenser shall be atleast 10ft
as per table 6.5.3 part (J).

The minimum distance between LPG vessels and point of transfer/decanting area
shall be atleast 10ft as per table section 7.2.3.3.

The minimum distance between buildings with fire resistant walls and point of
transfer/decanting area shall be atleast 10ft as per table 6.5.3 part (A) and part (F).

The minimum distance between source of ignition/open flame and point of

transfer/decanting area shall be atleast 25ft as per section 7.2.3.2(B).

The minimum distance between source of ignition/open flame and auto dispenser
shall be atleast 25ft as per section 7.2.3.2(B).

The minimum distance between buildings with non fire resistant walls and point of
transfer/decanting area shall be atleast 25ft as per table 6.5.3 part (B).

The minimum distance between buildings with non fire resistant walls and auto
dispenser shall be atleast 25ft as per table 6.5.3 part (B).

The minimum distance between auto dispenser and property line shall be atleast
25ft as per table 6.5.3 part (D).

The minimum distance between point of transfer/decanting area and property line
shall be atleast 25ft as per table 6.5.3 part (D).

Metal cutting/welding shall be done atleast 35ft away from point of transfer /
decanting and auto dispenser as per section 7.2.3.2 (C).
 Public way shall be atleast 10ft away from point of transfer/decanting and auto
dispenser as per table 6.5.3 part (F).

The minimum distance between points of transfer/decanting and auto dispenser

shall be 10ft as per table 6.5.3 part (F).
2.3 Developed Layouts

The layouts developed of vario us options prepared are as follows:

Layout of LPG refueling station: Area required 20,240 sq ft

Installation of ASME container as per NFPA 58, sec. 6.3 with 04 dispensers
(option-I).

Layout of LPG refueling station: Area required 17,520 sq ft

Installation of ASME container as per NFPA 58, sec. 6.3 with 02 dispensers
(option-II).

Layout of LPG refueling station: Area required 10,000 sq ft

Alternate provision for installation of ASME container as per NFPA 58, sec.
6.24 with 02 dispensers (option-III).

Layout of LPG refueling station: Area required 10,000 sq ft

Alternate provision for installation of ASME container as per NFPA 58, sec.
6.24 with cng, petrol & diesel facilities (option-IV).

Minimum separation distances as per NFPA 58, table 6.3.1 & table 6.5.3.

Minimum separation distances as per NFPA 58, sec. 6.24 & table 6.5.3.

Typical hazardous area classification of LPG refueling station.

 10 M TON BURRIED LPG STORAGE VESSEL
130' 123'
BOUNDARY WALL

BOUNDARY WALL
GRASS AREA

50'
BOUNDARY WALL
20'
IN

29'

35' 50' 50'

10'
BOWZER DECANTING AREA
10' 27' 4' 30' 4' 20'

107'
CONVERSION

7'
CENTER
TYRE
6'
5'

'-1 3
GRASS AREA

GRASS AREA
25' 23'

"
SHOP
DISPENSOR

DISPENSOR

SERVICE STATION

14
TUCK SHOP
ROAD

40'
80'

10'

21
15'

5'
OFFICE
6'

3'
ROOM
OFFICE/

REST
11'
GENERATOR
CONTROL

50'
ROOM
ROOM
35' 4'

30'
22'
GRASS AREA
20'
OUT

BOUNDARY WALL
25' 10'
13' 7' 15'
60'
 10 M TON BURRIED LPG STORAGE VESSEL
96' 123'
BOUNDARY WALL
GRASS AREA

50'
BOUNDARY WALL

BOUNDARY WALL
20'

25'
IN

29'

35' 50' 50'

10'
BOWZER DECANTING AREA
10' 27' 4' 20'

107'
CONVERSION

7'
TYRE CENTER
6'
5'

-1 3
GRASS AREA

GRASS AREA
25'

SHOP 23' 10'

"
DISPENSOR

SERVICE STATION

14
TUCK SHOP
ROAD

40'
80'

10'

3' 21'
15'

5' OFFICE
6'

ROOM
OFFICE/
REST
11'

GENERATOR
CONTROL

50'
ROOM
ROOM
35' 4'

30'
22'
GRASS AREA
20'
OUT

BOUNDARY WALL
25' 10'
13' 7' 15'
60'
 125'
15' 5' 17' 8' 20' 7' 10 M TON BURRIED LPG STORAGE VESSEL
BOUNDARY WALL

CONTOL
ROOM

OFFICE/
REST

ROOM
10'

10'
CONVERSION TUCK SHOP

13'
CENTER
20'

IN

BOUNDARY WALL
34'

12'
20'

23'
24' 35'
10'

BOWZER DECANTING AREA

TYRE 4'

3'
SHOP

15'
GRASS
ROAD

10'
FENCED AREA
PRAYER
40'

80'
DISPENSER
AREA

10'

6'
GRASS SPARES

11'
STORE
27' GENERATOR/

11'
COMPRESSOR

6'
OFFICE
10'

24'
SERVICES
20'

20'
OUT STATION
BOUNDARY WALL
1
34'-112"
80' 45'
35'
125'
60'
 125'
13' 35' 10' 5' 17' 8' 10' 10' 7' 10 M TON LPG STORAGE VESSEL
BOUNDARY WALL

CONTROL
ROOM

TUCK
REST

SHOP

OFFICE/
10'

10'
COMPRESSOR &
15'

ROOM
CNG STORAGE &

15'
COMPRESSOR CENTER GENERATOR
ROOM
FENCED
IN
30'

AREA

BOUNDARY WALL
15'
19'

20' 20'

LPG

23'
3'
26'
20'
10'

BOWZER/LPG DECANTING AREA

4'

DIESEL DECANTING
4'

GRASS

10'
CNG

3'
15'
ROAD

10'

10'
TYRE STORAGE AREA
80'

80'
DISPENSER
5'

SHOP 5'
30'

10'

PETROL DECANTING
LPG
3' 15'

10'
AREA

DIESEL
7.5' 10'

SPARES

11'
STORE

17'
10'

4'
GRASS DIESEL PETROL
STORAGE STORAGE

6'
OFFICE
PETROL
8' 48'

26'
25' SERVICES
20'

20'

20'
19'
OUT
STATION
BOUNDARY WALL
35'
35' 10'
80' 45'
125'
60'
 MINIMUM SEPERATION DISTANCES
PROPERTY LINE
TABLE 6.3.1 VENT Table 6.3.1

50
SEC. 6.4.5.2
& 6.4.5.4
BUILDING WITH LPG
FR WALLS 50 VESSEL

10 Table 6.3.9

20
SEC. 6.4.5.5
10 DRY GRASS /
ABOVE GROUND COMBUSTIBLE
PETROL / DIESEL MATERIAL
STORAGE

SEC. 7.2.3.3 10
SOURCE OF
10 IGNITION / OPEN
SEC. 7.2.3.2(B) FLAME
TABLE 6.5.3 PART (J)

25
TABLE 6.5.3
PART (A)
PART F Table 6.5.3 PART F (1)
25
10 BUILDING 25
P 25 WITH 25
NON- FR
R WALLS P
O R
P 10 O
AUTO
E DISPENSER P
POINT OF TRANSFER /
R DECANTING AREA
Table 6.5.3 PART B E
T R
Y T
35 Y
L 25 10
I L
N I
E 35
Table 6.5.3 PART D N
10 E
METAL CUTTING / Table 6.5.3 PART F
WELDING

PUBLIC WAY
SEC. 7.2.3.2(C)
PROPERTY LINE
PROPERTY LINE
AS PER NFPA 58, TABLE 6.3.1 & TABLE 6.5.3
FILE: SAFE DISTANCE FOR AUTO REFUELING STATION AS PER 6.3.1\090707
 MINIMUM SEPERATION DISTANCES
PROPERTY LINE

Sec. 6.24 VENT

10 Sec. 6.24

SEC. 6.4.5.2
& 6.4.5.4
BUILDING WITH LPG
FR WALLS 10 VESSEL

10 Table 6.3.9

20
SEC. 6.4.5.5 10 DRY GRASS /
COMBUSTIBLE
ABOVE GROUND MATERIAL
PETROL / DIESEL
STORAGE
10
SOURCE OF
SEC. 7.2.3.3 10 IGNITION / OPEN
FLAME
TABLE 6.5.3 PART (J)
SEC. 7.2.3.2(B)
25
TABLE 6.5.3
PART (A)
PART F Table 6.5.3 PART F (1)
25
10 BUILDING 25
P 25 WITH 25
NON- FR
R WALLS P
O R
P 10 O
AUTO
E DISPENSER P
POINT OF TRANSFER /
R DECANTING AREA
Table 6.5.3 PART B E
T R
Y T
35 Y
L 25 10
I L
N I
E 35
Table 6.5.3 PART D N
10 E
METAL CUTTING / Table 6.5.3 PART F
WELDING

PUBLIC WAY
SEC. 7.2.3.2(C)
PROPERTY LINE
PROPERTY LINE
AS PER NFPA 58, SEC. 6.24 & TABLE 6.5.3
(ALTERNATE PROVISIONS FOR INSTALLATION OF ASME CONTAINER)
FILE: SAFE DISTANCE FOR AUTO REFUELING STATION AS PER 6.3.1\090707
 125'
1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1
16'-32" 43'-104" 12'-64" 6'-34" 21'-34" 10'-04" 12'-64" 12'-64" 8'-94" 10 M TON LPG STORAGE VESSEL
BOUNDARY WALL
CONTROL
ROOM

TUCK
REST

SHOP

OFFICE/
COMPRESSOR &
12'-64"
1

ROOM
CNG STORAGE &

10'
COMPRESSOR CENTER GENERATOR
ROOM
FENCED
IN

AREA
37'-7"

BOUNDARY WALL
12'-64"

LPG
1

28'-94"
3
25'-04"
3
6'-34"
1

BOWZER/LPG DECANTING AREA

1 1
12'-6 4" 12'-64"

DIESEL DECANTING
GRASS

12'-64"
CNG

1
1
6'-34"
ROAD

12'-62"
1
TYRE STORAGE AREA

DISPENSER
100'-3"

100'-3"
6'-34"

3
1

SHOP 25'-04"

PETROL DECANTING
LPG
37'-7"

AREA

DIESEL
12'-64"

SPARES
1

13'-92"
1
STORE
12'-64"

DIESEL PETROL
1

GRASS 3 STORAGE STORAGE

7.5'

25'-04"

7'-6 4"
1
OFFICE

25'-04" UPTO 18" ABOVE GROUND

PETROL
1
6'-34"
1
10'-04" 6'-3 4"
1
SERVICES
25'-04"

25'-04"
3

20'
OUT

STATION

3
BOUNDARY WALL
35'
1 1
43'-10 4" 12'-64"
3
80' 56'-44"
125'
1
75'-2 4"
3.0 CONCLUSION :

As per NFPA 58 Section 6.3 the area requirements for LPG Autogas Station comes to
20,240 sq ft with 04 dispensers and 17,520 sq ft with 02 dispensers. However NFPA 58
Section 6.24 provides an alternate whereby the area requirements are reduced to 10,000
sq ft with elaborate safety requirements including the following. The complete
requirements are given in NFPA 58, Section 6.24:

Installation of internal valve with excess flow valve and positive shut-off valve.
Automatic closure of all primary valves actuated by fire detection or hose pull-
away.
Remote shutdown stations are within 15 ft and another between 25 ft and 100 ft of
the transfer point.