Introduction
Industries handling petroleum, natural gas, and other hydrocarbons operate in environments prone to fires, explosions, toxic gas releases, and natural or man-made disasters. In such sectors, a well-structured emergency response framework is not a choice—it’s a legal necessity and a safety imperative.
Recognizing this, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) issued comprehensive regulations in 2010, later amended in 2020, mandating every hydrocarbon-handling facility to develop a detailed Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP).
This article provides an in-depth understanding of the ERDMP concept, structure, legal requirements, industry applicability, third-party accreditation, and integration with overall process safety management.
👉 Internal Link: List of Process Safety Studies
What is ERDMP?
Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP) is a structured and documented procedure outlining:
- How to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies in hydrocarbon installations
- The roles, responsibilities, and resources needed for safe execution
- Procedures for early detection, effective communication, safe evacuation, and disaster mitigation
It’s a legal requirement under PNGRB ERDMP Regulations, 2010 and its Amendment in 2020.
PNGRB ERDMP Regulations – Overview
| Regulation | Description |
|---|---|
| PNGRB ERDMP 2010 | Introduced emergency planning obligations for all hydrocarbon facilities |
| Amendment 2020 | Updated content structure, scope, and validation procedures including TPIA |
👉 External Link: PNGRB Official Website
Applicability of ERDMP Regulations
The regulations apply to a wide range of facilities in the oil & gas value chain, including:
- Refineries, Gas Processing Plants, LNG Terminals
- Gas Pipelines (natural gas, propane, butane)
- Liquid Petroleum Product Pipelines
- LPG/Propane/Butane Bottling Plants
- City Gas Distribution (CGD) Networks
- POL Retail Outlets (Petrol Pumps, CNG Stations)
- Petroleum Road Tanker Transporters
- Commercial Petroleum Storage Depots
- LNG Storage and Dispensing Facilities
- Any other notified installation by the Board
These facilities must prepare a site-specific ERDMP, implement it, and get it certified by an accredited Third-Party Inspection Agency (TPIA).
👉 Internal Link: Fire and Gas Mapping Study
Structure of the ERDMP Document
According to PNGRB, the ERDMP should include the following sections:
1. Introduction and Objectives
- Site overview
- Purpose of ERDMP
- Legal compliance references
2. Risk and Hazard Identification
- Hazardous inventory
- Hazard scenarios (fire, explosion, toxic release, natural calamities)
- QRA and FERA findings
3. Emergency Organization Structure
- Chief Incident Controller (CIC)
- Site Incident Controller (SIC)
- Emergency Control Team (ECT)
- Rescue, Fire, Medical, Communication Teams
4. Communication Protocols
- External agencies (police, fire, NDRF, PESO)
- Internal hierarchy
- Public notification plan
5. Emergency Equipment Details
- Firewater systems
- Gas detectors
- Breathing apparatus
- Emergency shutdown systems
6. Mutual Aid and External Coordination
- Nearby industries
- Hospitals
- Disaster management authorities
- Local administration
7. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Fire, gas leak, explosion, toxic release, earthquake, sabotage
- Site shutdown, muster, evacuation
8. Mock Drills and Training Programs
- Types: Tabletop, onsite, offsite
- Frequency: Quarterly and annually
- Record keeping and analysis
9. Post-Emergency Procedures
- Recovery planning
- Incident investigation
- Learning and improvement
10. Annexures
- Site maps
- Layout drawings
- Emergency contact list
- MSDS
- Training calendar
👉 Internal Link: FERA – Fire and Explosion Risk Analysis
Certification by Third-Party Inspection Agency (TPIA)
After preparing the ERDMP, it must be audited and certified by a TPIA accredited by PNGRB.
TPIA Responsibilities:
- Verify emergency systems
- Assess risk identification accuracy
- Review SOPs and ERP structure
- Conduct mock drill evaluations
- Submit compliance report to PNGRB
The list of approved TPIAs is published and regularly updated on the PNGRB website.
Risk Scenarios Covered in ERDMP
| Hazard | Scenario Examples |
|---|---|
| Fire | Tank farm fire, pump seal leak ignition |
| Explosion | VCE in gas processing area |
| Toxic Gas Release | H₂S leak in refinery, LPG vapor dispersion |
| Pipeline Rupture | Natural gas pipeline failure |
| Sabotage/Arson | POL retail outlet fire |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquake, cyclone, lightning strike |
| Transport Emergency | Road tanker rollover and leak |
👉 Internal Link: PHAST Air Dispersion Study
Roles and Responsibilities in an Emergency
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Chief Incident Controller | Overall control, media, external coordination |
| Site Incident Controller | On-ground decision-making, resource deployment |
| Emergency Control Team | Responds to fire, gas leak, or rescue operations |
| Communication Team | Alerts internal/external stakeholders |
| Security Team | Site control, crowd management |
| Medical Team | First aid, casualty triage, hospital liaison |
Mock Drills: Frequency and Types
| Drill Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop Drill | Simulated discussion | Quarterly |
| Onsite Drill | Physical drill on-site | Half-yearly |
| Offsite Drill | Involving external agencies | Annually |
Drill records must include:
- Scenario description
- Participants
- Response time
- Observations
- Corrective actions
Integration with Process Safety Management
ERDMP is not a standalone document. It complements and connects with:
- HAZOP Study → Provides deviations and risk scenarios
- QRA / FERA → Supports impact estimation
- SIL Study → Ensures protective layers function during emergencies
- LOPA → Assesses effectiveness of safeguards
- F&G Mapping → Optimizes alarm and shutdown logic
👉 Internal Link: SIL Study – Safety Integrity Level
ERDMP for City Gas Distribution and Retail Outlets
Even small-scale operations such as CGD networks and petrol pumps require a tailored ERDMP.
For CGD:
- Pipeline rupture or leakage
- CNG station overpressure
- Emergency shutdown protocols
- Neighborhood notification
For POL Retail Outlets:
- Underground tank fire
- Vehicle refueling fires
- Road tanker unloading safety
- Public crowd management
Challenges in ERDMP Implementation
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Outdated layouts | Conduct periodic site survey |
| Lack of trained personnel | Conduct quarterly training |
| No coordination with local agencies | Pre-mock drills involving DMP, NDRF |
| Ignorance of TPIA process | Partner with accredited TPIAs early |
| Poor documentation | Use digital ERP and cloud backups |
Post-Emergency Recovery Planning
- Damage assessment of assets and environment
- Business continuity strategy
- Re-entry protocols
- Media and stakeholder communication
- Root cause analysis
- Corrective action tracking
Case Study – LNG Terminal ERDMP Implementation
Facility: 5 MTPA LNG terminal
Hazards Identified: Cryogenic spill, VCE, LNG tank roof fire
ERDMP Highlights:
- Dedicated firewater system with monitors
- Mutual aid agreement with coast guard
- High-volume foam system
- Local community awareness campaign
- TPIA approval received within 45 days
Outcome: Successfully conducted offsite drill with 350+ stakeholders; praised by PNGRB and State DMP.
FAQs
Q1: Is ERDMP mandatory for small oil and gas companies?
Yes. Even small POL outlets and CGD installations must prepare and implement ERDMP per PNGRB guidelines.
Q2: How often should ERDMP be updated?
ERDMP must be reviewed annually and revised whenever there are significant changes to facility layout, materials, or operations.
Q3: What happens if a facility doesn’t comply?
PNGRB may issue show-cause notices, penalize, or revoke licenses for non-compliance.
Q4: Can ERDMP be developed internally?
Yes, but it must be validated and certified by a PNGRB-approved Third-Party Inspection Agency (TPIA).
Conclusion
An effective Emergency Response and Disaster Management Plan (ERDMP) is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a cornerstone of risk mitigation, operational resilience, and environmental protection in hazardous industries.
Whether you’re managing a sprawling refinery or a small CNG dispensing station, ERDMP provides a proven framework to predict, prevent, and respond to emergencies. With PNGRB’s updated guidelines and mandatory third-party audits, organizations now have a clear pathway to build robust, compliant, and effective response systems.
Prepare. Protect. Perform. That’s what a solid ERDMP empowers you to do.
