Section 27 in The Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016
27. Loading and unloading facilities.
(1)Pumps-(i)pumps may be centrifugal or positive displacement pumps;(ii)design materials and constructions of pumps shall be suitable for the type of gas to be handled and they shall be designed for the maximum outlet pressure to which they will be subjected to in operation;(iii)positive displacement pumps shall have a by-pass valve or other suitable protection against over pressure.(2)Compressors-(i)the design, material and construction of compressors shall be suitable for the type of gas which they are to handle and they shall be designed for the maximum outlet pressure to which they will be subjected to in operation;(ii)compressors other than multi-stage compressors shall take suction from the vapour space of the vessels being filled.(3)Transfer systems-(i)transfer systems shall be so designed that the risk of a gas of a higher vapour pressure being transferred to equipment designed for gas of a lower vapour pressure is minimised;(ii)there shall be positive means of rapidly shutting off flow, located at a safe distance from the vessel which is being filled or emptied;(iii)automatic alarm device to indicate the approach to maximum permissible height or automatic shut-off valves shall be used to prevent over filling.(4)Hoses-(i)the hoses for liquid transfer shall be designed to withstand not less than four times the maximum operating pressure they will carry in service;(ii)the hoses shall be mechanically and electrically continuous.(5)Tank truck loading or unloading-(i)in the tank-truck loading or unloading gantry, number of bays for parking tank-trucks shall not exceed eight, and number of such gantries in a premises shall not exceed two;(ii)center of tank truck loading or unloading gantry shall maintain safety distances-(a)in case of LPG bottling plants and terminals- as specified in table 4(A) or 4(B), as applicable;(b)in case of LPG, LNG and other flammable or toxic or corrosive gas installations- 9 M from property line and as well as from storage vessel;(c)in case of non-toxic, non-flammable gas (including cryogenic liquids) installations-4.5 M from property line. The robust crash barrier shall be provided in between storage vessel and hard stand at a distance of 2 meter (Minimum) from the storage vessel in order to protect fill point as well as pressure vessel;(d)in case of non-toxic, non-flammable cryogenic liquid installations(water capacity of vessel not exceeding 1000 litres)-3.0 M from property line. The distance between the road tanker fill point and the storage vessel fill point shall not be less than 2 M. A robust crash barrier shall be provided in between storage vessel and hard stand in order to protect fill point as well as pressure vessel;(e)in case of mounded installations consisting of vessel of water capacity up to 100 KL each, the centre of tank truck hardstand and fill point shall be minimum 4.5 M from the edge of the vessel and 9 M from property line or fencing. In case of vessel of water capacity exceeding 100 KL each, the centre of tank truck hardstand and fill point shall observe minimum 9 M from the edge of the vessel and 9 M from property line or fencing.(6)Rail tank wagon loading or unloading shall be restricted to a maximum of half a rake (six hundred tonnes). If full rake handling is required, it shall be placed in two separate gantries with fifty meters distance in between them. Safety distances for rail tank wagon loading or unloading shall be as per table 4(A) under rule 22.(7)All valves on the vessel and pipelines in the premises shall be permanently marked in a manner clearly indicating the direction of opening and closing.
