TEAM HERALD
VASCO: Claiming that various safety checks are in place to ensure safety at petrol pumps, All Goa Petrol Pump Owners Association President Paresh Joshi has, however, pointed out that customers should also take steps to promote safety at petrol pumps.
Explaining the difficulty in installing hydrants at the petrol pumps, Joshi said: “There is no 24-hour PWD water supply available and hence, it is difficult to maintain water hydrants. Besides, water hydrants need to be flushed periodically to avoid chocking of the pipeline due to rust.”
Joshi informed that company officials conduct an audit of the fire safety measures at the pumps every three months. “In addition to these measures, the fire and explosive officials inspect the pumps annually to verify the fire safety measures installed by petrol pump owners,” he said.
“The petroleum companies also periodically send circulars updating petrol pump owners on various dos and don’ts. In fact, it is very rare that a fire breaks out at the petrol pump. If at all fire breaks out at a petrol pump, it is either to the faulty earthing or due to the negligence of the customers, who use mobile phones while filling petrol in their vehicles,” stated Joshi.
“There are specific guidelines to be strictly followed by the company, while decanting the petrol from the tanker lorry into the petrol pump tanks. Guidelines also stipulate that petrol pump owners should display safety messages at the petrol pumps.”
Joshi informed that the attendants employed at the pumps are trained to tackle any mishaps by using the fire extinguisher and the sand that is kept standby.
“Even if there is a fire at the petrol pump, the fire does not affect the underground petrol tanks as there is a valve which blocks the fire,” added Joshi.
“The most dangerous part is the negligence of customers who use their mobile phones, despite displayed at the petrol pumps not to use the mobile phone. It is dangerous to use a mobile phone at the petrol pump as it produces static energy and this could lead to a fire.”
An employee at the petrol pump also emphasized the importance of switching off the engine of the vehicle while filling petrol/diesel.
“It is also advisable to switch off the engine of the vehicle while filling petrol/diesel, since during idling of the car, there is every possibility that minute particles from the exhaust can lead to a fire,” remar
