PESO Approval for ATF Storage: Complete Licence & Compliance Guide

• PESO Approvals for ATF Storage are covered under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, which control petroleum storage facilities in India along with relevant safety issues.
• Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is one such product mentioned by PESO, among others, that fall under the category of petroleum products requiring licenses for their storage.
• This could be a case for an airport fuel facility, which could include, among other things, the proper license pathway, site and tank drawings, technical data, safety considerations, etc.

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Introduction

The task of an airport fuel storage facility would seem relatively simple on face value: obtain ATF, store it in tanks and dispense it to the aircraft via the appropriate fuelling system. Things get complicated when the storage capacity, installation, pipelines, tanks and operational setup are all considered together from a regulatory perspective That is where PESO Approval for ATF Storage comes into the picture.

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is explicitly mentioned in the list of petroleum products requiring licensing consideration as per the Petroleum Rules, 2002 by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation.

PESO stands for Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. The organization implements the Petroleum Rules, 2002 and regulates licensing of storage facilities as well as safety measures in relation to petroleum The real issue for an airport fuel operator is not simply whether ATF is being stored or not.

The real questions are:

• What is the storage capacity?
• Is the installation bulk storage?
• How are tanks arranged?
• How is ATF received and transferred?
• What pipelines and equipment are involved?
• What safety systems are provided?
• Which PESO licensing route applies?

Those points should be settled before the facility is commissioned.

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What is PESO Approval for ATF Storage?

PESO Approval for ATF Storage means the applicable license or regulatory approval for the storage of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) according to India’s petroleum safety regime.

PESO is an abbreviation of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization. This body falls under the purview of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. PESO is responsible for regulating and enforcing various regulations concerning petroleum, explosives, compressed gases and other hazardous materials.

ATF is regulated under petroleum regulations and its storage would require compliance with the requirements laid down in the Petroleum Rules, 2002. Therefore, for the fuel operator at the airport, it would mean the storage installation would need assessment for the applicable license, technical documents and safety arrangements.

The approval would not be restricted only to the ATF tank but could extend depending upon the facilities to storage tanks, site plan, pipelines, pumps, transfer system, fire safety arrangement and other auxiliary installations as may be required.

In practice, the PESO approval means that the ATF storage installation has been submitted with all the technical and safety details as may be required by the applicable regulations.

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Is a PESO Licence Required for ATF Storage?

Yes, ATF storage is covered under the petroleum storage licensing provisions as per the Petroleum Rules, 2002 The specific procedure to be adopted for the grant of licence will depend upon the type of installation and operation involved.

As per PESO’s current SOP, Form XV will cover importation and storage of petroleum at an installation. There are other forms prescribed for specific operations involving petroleum storage and transportation.

This is relevant in the context of airport facilities in that the ATF installation itself could involve more than a tank. It might have facilities for receipt of material, transfer pipeline, pumps, storage tanks, filtration, hydrants, refuelling equipment and safety measures The relevant form should be selected on the basis of the actual installation involved and not just by virtue of it being an ATF facility.

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Why Is ATF Storage Subject to PESO Regulation?

ATF would be managed in places where the activities of storing, transporting and refuelling of aircrafts happen near key aviation facilities.

It therefore follows that there must be controlled management of receipt, storage and transportation of the petroleum According to the Petroleum Rules, there are guidelines on how to manage fire prevention in petroleum storage facilities and storage areas. These rules limit smoking, ignition and any other source of heat or light in areas where petroleum is stored.

PESO also indicates that the responsibilities of PESO regarding the Petroleum Rules include licensing of storage facilities and inspection of premises for adherence to the safety measures From an airport perspective, it follows that compliance should be incorporated into the design of the facility.

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What Does PESO Check for an ATF Storage Facility?

These documents and technical specifications would be determined based on the specific installation. In general, the regulatory agency must be aware of the design of the facility, what will be stored there, and the handling of petroleum.

ATF Storage Capacity

Storage capacity is one of the first items to consider.

The application must clearly identify the expected capacity and number of storage tanks. The capacity stated in the application must correspond to engineering drawings and technical specifications If the facility is going to be expanded, both capacities (existing and planned) must be considered.

Storage Tank Details

The tank documentation should provide sufficient technical information to establish what is being installed.

This may include:

• Tank capacity
• Tank dimensions
• Construction details
• Tank identification
• Design specifications
• Applicable standards
• Testing information
• Tank fittings
• Inlet and outlet arrangements

The important point is consistency.

If the tank datasheet says one capacity and the layout shows another, the problem is not merely clerical. It creates uncertainty about the actual installation.

Layout of the Site

The diagram of the site needs to reflect the actual operating facility.

This may comprise any number of elements, such as:

• Storage tanks for ATF
• Pumping equipment
• Pipeline for transporting the product
• Receiving equipment
• Filtering systems
• Fire fighting equipment
• Roads for access
• Building structures
• Perimeter
• Loading/ unloading zones

Or any other relevant installations.

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Documents Required for PESO Approval for ATF Storage

Documentation is another area where there could be delays in airport fuel projects This is usually not due to the lack of documentation itself but due to multiple documents that have some discrepancy in them.

For instance, the legal name of the applicant may not coincide with the name stated in an engineering drawing, or the capacity of the fuel tank in a manufacturer’s sheet may not be consistent with the application In such cases, good documentation should be considered as a whole.

Documents Required for Company and Applicant

Based on the application requirements, these may consist of:

• Company registration information
• Information about PAN
• Authorizations
• Details of the applicant
• Information about authorized signatories
• Ownership or Possession information

Site and Land Documents

Based on the application route, it may be required to submit documents related to ownership, lease or lawful possession of the proposed site.

Technical Documents

These can include:

• Tank drawings
• Tank specifications
• Site layout
• Piping drawings
• Equipment details
• Pump specifications
• Safety-system details
• Fire protection arrangements
• Testing certificates
• Relevant inspection or certification documents

PESO Application Form

The correct PESO application form has to be picked depending on the true petroleum activity.

As per the Form IX page at the official PESO website, Form IX is used for making an application for the grant, amendment, renewal, or transfer of a license for importing and storing petroleum.

However, according to the current SOP at PESO, Form XV is the form to be used for importing and storing petroleum at an installation.

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PESO Approval for ATF Storage: Application Process

The process of licensing from the ATF should be considered as a compliance workflow, not just filling out the ATF license form.

Step 1: Determine Applicability

Start from the real ATF installation.

Verify:

• Product
• Storage capacity
• Number of tanks
• Tank configuration
• Installation site
• Mode of receipt
• Method of transfer
• Planned operations

This will give you enough information for compliance personnel to determine the applicable path.

Step 2: Review the Engineering Design

• Check the design of the tanks, piping, pumps and other key systems before submitting your application.
• If the design is yet to be done, this is the easiest point to resolve a regulatory problem.
• It is easier to fix a design than to change a fuel installation.

Step 3: Provide the Site Plan

The site plan should show the planned installation The position of tanks, transfer routes, safety measures and other important features should match the actual engineering design.

Step 4: Gather Technical Documentation

Gather all the documentation provided by the manufacturer In case of import, the foreign company should provide all technical documentation at an early stage of the project.

Step 5: Apply the Correct PESO License Procedure

Determine the correct form and license issuing authority under the current Petroleum Rules and PESO procedure Current PESO procedure shows the forms for various petroleum activity, storage facility and non-bulk storage aircraft fuelling transportation.

Step 6: Submitting the Application

Submit the application along with the necessary documents and fee Make sure that the applicant, location address, tank capacity, drawing reference and equipment specification are consistent in the whole documentation.

Step 7: Answer to the Queries

Answers should be precise to the regulatory query Even if one technical information changes, check the same information in other drawings or documentations. Sometimes updating only one document might create an error.

Step 8: Inspection/Verification

In cases where it is applicable, inspection or verification is a part of the regulatory process Installation must match the submitted technical documentation.

Step 9: Getting and Holding the License

As soon as all the required conditions are met, the necessary license will be granted to the applicant The operator should maintain his license along with the approved drawings and technical documentation.

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Common Mistakes in ATF Storage Licensing

Commencing Procurement without Compliance Assessment

The airport authority could complete tanks and equipment first, and then come up with the PESO documents afterward This could end up being very costly A good practice is for the regulatory requirements to be assessed during the design stage of the facility.

Utilization of Generic Tank Drawings

A drawing from an unrelated project might not accurately depict the facility under consideration The PESO documents should accurately reflect the facility.

Different Capacity Numbers

One should ensure that tank capacity is consistent within the application, datasheet, drawing and certifications.

Overlooking Existing Assets

Where there is an addition of an ATF tank into the existing facilities, it will require the whole installation to be considered.

Licensing Being the Sole Requirement for Compliance

Having a license is not the same as operating safely Inspection of petroleum premises by PESO is one of its responsibilities.

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ATF Storage Tank Safety Requirements

ATF storage facilities should be designed around controlled receipt, storage and transfer.

Important considerations include:

• Tank integrity
• Leak prevention
• Safe transfer connections
• Proper piping
• Valve arrangements
• Fire protection
• Emergency access
• Ignition-source control
• Electrical safety
• Spill control
• Housekeeping
• Emergency procedures

The exact engineering requirements should be established for the particular facility and applicable standards.

The Petroleum Rules specifically contain fire-prevention provisions for petroleum installations and storage areas.

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What About ATF Equipment Used in Hazardous Areas?

The installation of an ATF facility may comprise electrical or any other equipment for use in places where flammable petroleum vapors exist.

This should receive separate consideration during the technical review process According to PESO’s FAQ, electrical equipment that is imported into India for use in hazardous locations covered by the Petroleum Rules, 2002 must be approved before it is put into service Therefore, when the airport authority imports pumps, electrical equipment, instrumentation or any other part of the ATF facility, its technical documentation should receive prior review before the equipment is procured.

The issue is not just whether the equipment works It is whether the equipment is suitable for the environment.

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What Is the Cost of PESO Approval for ATF Storage?

There is no universal project cost for ATF storage licensing.

The total cost can vary according to:

• Storage capacity
• Number of tanks
• Installation type
• Engineering documentation
• Testing and certification
• Inspection requirements
• Government fees
• Drawing preparation
• Consultancy requirements
• Existing-site modifications

The costs associated with engineering and documentation could be a major component of the total compliance budget for the construction of a new fuel station at the airport.

For the existing facility, it could rise when the drawings are outdated or corrections are needed This is more reliable than just a general online cost estimate.

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How Diligence Certification Can Help

For an airport fuel storage operator, PESO compliance can involve coordination between the fuel supplier, engineering consultant, tank manufacturer, electrical equipment supplier and regulatory team.

That is where documentation control becomes valuable.

Diligence Certification can support operators with:

• PESO applicability assessment
• Licence route identification
• Document preparation
• Technical document review
• Drawing coordination
• Application preparation
• Query response support
• Inspection coordination
• Amendment and renewal assistance

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Conclusion

The PESO approval of the ATF storage facility is an important regulatory requirement for any airport fuel facility handling Aviation Turbine Fuel. It should be done right from the design stage such that all storage tanks, pipelines, transfer equipment, layout of the premises, and safety provisions comply with the relevant PESO requirements.

Documentation is often the stumbling block when preparing for the application for airport operators. Tank information mismatch, drawing mismatches, and incomplete technical documentation can result in inquiries from regulators and undue delays. An application that is well-prepared should give a consistent view of the proposed ATF storage facility.

If you are establishing a new ATF storage facility, expanding your current facility or applying for a license from PESO, Diligence Certification can help you with applicability studies, documentation, application preparation, and regulatory compliance.

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Frequently Asked Questions