Explosive Rules Pakistan: Storage Regulations & Compliance Guide

Q: What happens if my godown construction does not match the approved plan?

The Explosives Inspector will not grant the license. You will need to demolish and rebuild the non-conforming portion - costing time and money. This is why we strongly recommend that construction is done by our team, so the approved plan and the built structure are identical from day one.

Q: Can the Explosives Department visit without notice?

Yes. Ad-hoc inspections without prior notice are legal and routine. Licensed premises must be ready for inspection at any time - guard on duty, fire equipment in place, stock records up to date, and only licensed chemicals stored in licensed quantities.

Q: Is there any insurance requirement for DPL premises?

While not always mandated by the Explosives Department, fire and public liability insurance is strongly recommended and may be required by your local authority or industrial estate. Insurance premiums are typically reduced for DPL-compliant facilities, since the risk is professionally managed.

A complete guide to Pakistan’s petroleum and explosive regulations, Petroleum Act 1934, Petroleum Rules 1937, storage standards, inspection requirements, and government compliance obligations for licensed businesses. For more answers, browse our DPL knowledge base.

Legal Framework

Pakistan's Petroleum & Explosive Regulations

Petroleum Act 1934

The Foundation Law

Primary federal legislation governing petroleum in Pakistan
Defines petroleum Class A, B and C by flash point (amended 2023)
Mandates licensing for storage, handling, transport, and import
Establishes the Chief Controller of Explosives authority
Sets penalties for unlicensed operations

Petroleum Rules 1937

Operational Standards

Detailed rules under the 1934 Act for day-to-day operations
Storage construction specifications (sump, ventilators, doors)
Firefighting equipment and arrangement requirements
License forms (K, L, M, N, O, Q, B-1, C, Spl) defined
Distance, separation, and safety zone rules
Inspection authority and renewal procedures

Petroleum Classification

Petroleum Classes Under the Act

Class A

Flash Point
Below 24°C

License Required
Licence required above exempt quantity

Examples
Petrol, Acetone, Toluene, Naphtha
Class B

Flash Point
24°C – 55°C

License Required
Licence required above exempt quantity

Examples
Xylene, Kerosene, White Spirit
Class C

Flash Point
55°C – 93°C

License Required
Licence required above exempt quantity

Examples
Furnace Oil, Light Diesel Oil
Excluded

Flash Point
93°C and above

License Required
Outside the Petroleum Act, no petroleum licence

Examples
Bitumen, Asphalt, most Lubricating Oils

Petroleum classes by flash point under the Petroleum Act 1934 (amended 2023), Pakistan
Class	Flash Point	Examples	License Required
Class A	Below 24°C	Petrol, Acetone, Toluene, Naphtha	Licence required above exempt quantity
Class B	24°C – 55°C	Xylene, Kerosene, White Spirit	Licence required above exempt quantity
Class C	55°C – 93°C	Furnace Oil, Light Diesel Oil	Licence required above exempt quantity
Excluded	93°C and above	Bitumen, Asphalt, most Lubricating Oils	Outside the Petroleum Act, no petroleum licence

Compliance Obligations for Licensed Businesses

Maintain construction conditions (sump, ventilators, doors, fire system
No smoking, no naked flame, no unauthorized hot work
Cooperate with Explosives Inspector during routine and ad-hoc inspections
Report any incident, leak, or fire to the Explosives Department

Inspections

Government Inspection Requirements

Initial Grant Inspection

Before License Issued

Explosives Inspector visits premises before license grant
Verifies construction matches approved plan
Checks fire safety equipment and guard arrangement
Confirms distance and separation rules met
Our team prepares your site and accompanies inspection

Annual & Ad-Hoc Inspections

Ongoing Compliance

Routine annual inspection at renewal time
Unannounced inspections possible at any time
Compliance with stored chemicals & capacities verified
Construction integrity (sump, ventilation, doors) checked
Stock register and MSDS file inspection
Our renewal-tracking clients are inspection-ready year-round

Storage Regulations & Safety Standards in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Petroleum Rules 1937 set out detailed construction and operational standards for any premises licensed for petroleum or chemical storage. Compliance is not optional, it is verified at every inspection, and non-compliance can result in license suspension, storage sealing, and prosecution.

Mandatory Construction Standards (Storage Godown)

Walls: Cement-concrete (C.C.) block construction with RCC columns; wood is prohibited
Floor: Concrete with a 2-foot deep sump for spill containment
Ventilators: Cross-ventilation 6 inches above ground and 1 foot below roof, fitted with copper-wire gauge mesh to prevent flame propagation
Doors: Angle-iron frame with G.I. sheet; must open outward for emergency egress
Roof: Non-combustible material; spark-resistant

Mandatory Safety Standards (Operational)

Firefighting equipment per Petroleum Rules 1937, sand buckets, extinguishers, hydrant where required
Trained guard on duty round the clock, conversant with firefighting techniques
No natural gas main, electric transformer, or ignition source within 50 feet
Strict no-smoking, no-naked-flame zones with signage
Earthing for static electricity dissipation

Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance

Sealing of storage premises by the Explosives Department
Seizure of stored chemicals and stock
Monetary penalties under the Petroleum Act 1934
Criminal prosecution for serious violations
License revocation and disqualification from future applications

Common Compliance FAQs

What happens if my godown construction does not match the approved plan?

Can the Explosives Department visit without notice?

Is there any insurance requirement for DPL premises?

Stay Fully Compliant, Talk to Our Experts

From regulation interpretation to inspection preparation, we keep your DPL license safe.