0

APROJECT REPORT

ON

“STUDY OF NON FUEL PRODUCTS SALE”

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for theAward of the degree of

Master Of Business Administration(2009-2011)

Submitted to:

Indian Oil Corporation Limited

Submitted by:

RICHA AGRAWAL(M.B.A.)

Batch: 2009-11

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to express gratitude to my Institution, Institute of

Technology & Management for providing me a magnificent opportunity in the form

of this summer training to work and learn at IOCL.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Sachin Agarwal (Chief Area

Manager) for sharing the journey of conceptualizing and developing all the ideas. He

stood in times of difficulty and despite of his busy schedule devoted a major chunk of

his time towards this project. He has been a part of all the activities and duly guided

the project to its destination. I am indebted for his endeavors in making this project a

success. He has truly fulfilled his role as a guide.

I would also like to acknowledge the help and support extended by all my friends

whose name could not be mentioned here but they all have been very co-operative and

provided impetus to this project. Without their help this project would not have

reached its destination. I express my gratitude for their suggestions and help they

extended to this project.

I will not miss the opportunity of expressing thankfulness towards all my teachers and

the faculty of Institute of Technology & Management for sharing their knowledge,

which provided necessary ingredients to this project.

Regards:

Richa Agrawal

M.B.A. (2009-11)

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DECLARATION

This summer training Report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for

the award of degree of MBA at ITM Aligarh. I declare that this Training Report is my

own work and it does not contravene any academic offence as specified in the

University’s regulations.

I confirm that this Training Report does not contain information of a commercial or

confidential nature or include personal information other than that which would

normally be in the public domain unless the relevant permissions have been obtained.

Sign:

Name: Richa Agrawal

Course: M.B.A.

Date

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page No.

Cover and Title Page Acknowledgement Declaration

1. Executive Summary……………………………………..5

2. Company Profile ………………………………………..6

3. Introduction Of IOCL…………………………………...7

4. Objectives and Obligations…………………………….18

5. Research Objectives…………….....…………………...21

6. Non fuel Products………………………………………22

7. Key Terms………………..…………………………….56

8. Research Design……...………………...………………57

9. Research Methodology…………………………………58

10. Procedure..................................................................…...61

11. Analysis……….……..…………………………………62

12. Findings.………………………………………………..72

13. Annexure….…………………………………………....73

14. Bibliography………………….…………………...……75

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EXECUTIVE SUMMERY

The study gives a comprehensive overview of petroleum industry in India, the way it

has evolved through shackles of time and its current status with respect to companies,

regulations and customers. The study tracks the origin and the journey of industry till

date. It has also focused on the kind of services expected by consumers, which are

being provided on retail outlets and which can be provided on outlets. These services

will cumulatively increase the revenue realization as well as optimal utilization of

land available on an outlet. Indane is today one of the largest packed-LPG brands in

the world. IndianOil pioneered the launch of LPG in India in the 1970s and

transformed the lives of millions of people with the introduction of the clean,

efficient and safe cooking fuel. LPG also led to a substantial improvement in the

health of women in rural areas by replacing smoky and unhealthy chullahs with

Indane. It is today a fuel synonymous with safety, reliability and convenience. LPG is

a blend of Butane and Propane readily liquefied under moderate pressure. LPG

vapour is heavier than air; thus it normally settles down in low-lying places. Since

LPG has only a faint scent, a mercaptan odorant is added to help in its detection. In

the event of an LPG leak, the vaporisation of liquid cools the atmosphere and

condenses the water vapour contained in it to form a whitish fog, which is easy to

observe. LPG in fairly large concentrations displaces oxygen leading to a nauseous or

suffocating feeling. Suraksha LPG hose, flame retardant aprons and energy efficient

Green Label stoves are recommended to enhance safety measures while using LPG as

fuel. To prevent diversion, the Indane brand is being backed by RFID

technology, a new concept that helps track the movement of LPG cylinders. Initial

trials are currently going on, after which it will be implemented on a countrywide

basis.Our study is about non fuel products at the Indane gas outlets. The non fuel

products are products which are ether than the LPG cylinders and not

manufactured by the Indane itself. The outlets are selling them at the time of

new connection of LPG. Somewhere customers are forced to purchase these

products with the new connection and somewhere customers have a choice for this.

The common non fuel products are LPG stove or burner, safety hose, gas tube,

apron, gas stove lighter, fire extinguishers.

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COMPANY PROFILE

INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD

Type State : Owned enterprise Public (BSE: 530965)

Industry : Oil and Gas

Founded : 1964

Headquarters : New Delhi, India

Key people : Brij Mohan Bansal, Chairman

Products : Oil, Petroleum, Natural gas, Petrochemical, Fuel,

Non fuel products &Lubricants

Revenue : ▼ $54.287 billion (2009)

Net income : ▲ $2.258 billion (2009)

Total assets : ▲ $29.672 billion (2009)

Total equity : ▲ $11.686 billion (2009)

Employees : 36,307 (2009)

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Website : Iocl.com

IOC: An Introduction

VISION

“A major diversified, transnational, integrated energy company, with national

leadership and a strong environment conscience, playing a national role in oil

security & public distribution.”

INDIAN OIL: INDIA’S DOWNSTREAM MAJOR

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., currently India's largest company by sales with a

turnover of Rs. 271,073 crore and profit of Rs. 10,220.55 crore for fiscal 2009-

10, is also the highest ranked Indian company in the prestigious Fortune

'Global 500' listing, having moved up 11 places to the 105th position in 2009.

Beginning in 1959 as Indian Oil Company Ltd., Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

Was formed in 1964 with the merger of Indian Refineries Ltd. (estd. 1958).

Indian Oil and its subsidiaries account for 49% petroleum products market

share, 40.4% refining capacity and 69% downstream sector pipelines capacity

in India. For the year 2008-09, the IndianOil group sold 62.6 million tonnes of

petroleum products, including 1.7 million tonnes of natural gas, and exported

3.64 million tonnes of petroleum products.

The IndianOil Group of companies owns and operates 10 of India's 20

refineries with a combined refining capacity of 60.2 million metric tonnes per

annum (MMTPA, .i.e. 1.2 million barrels per day). These include two

refineries of subsidiary Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (CPCL) and one

of Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (BRPL).

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The Corporation's cross-country network of crude oil and product pipelines,

spanning about 10,000 km and the largest in the country, meets the vital energy

needs of the consumers in an efficient, economical and environment-friendly

manner.

IndianOil is investing Rs. 43,400 crore (US $10.8 billion) during the period

2007-12 in augmentation of refining and pipeline capacities, expansion of

marketing infrastructure and product quality upgradation as well as in

integration and diversification projects.

Network Beyond Compare

As the flagship national oil company in the downstream sector, IndianOil

reaches precious petroleum products to millions of people everyday through a

countrywide network of about 35,000 sales points. They are backed for

supplies by 167 bulk storage terminals and depots, 101 aviation fuel stations

and 89 Indane (LPGas) bottling plants. About 7,335 bulk consumer pumps are

also in operation for the convenience of large consumers, ensuring products

and inventory at their doorstep.

IndianOil operates the largest and the widest network of petrol & diesel stations

in the country, numbering over 18,278. It reaches Indane cooking gas to the

doorsteps of over 53 million households in nearly 2,700 markets through a

network of about 5,000 Indane distributors.

IndianOil's ISO-9002 certified Aviation Service commands over 63% market

share in aviation fuel business, meeting the fuel needs of domestic and

international flag carriers, private airlines and the Indian Defence Services. The

Corporation also enjoys a dominant share of the bulk consumer business,

including that of railways, state transport undertakings, and industrial,

agricultural and marine sectors.

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To safeguard the interest of the valuable customers, interventions like retail

automation, vehicle tracking and marker systems have been introduced to

ensure quality and quantity of petroleum products.

63,000 tonnes, PTA – 5,53,000 tonnes) for polyester intermediates is already in

operation at Panipat, while a Naphtha Cracker with a capacity of 800,000

tonnes of ethylene per annum, 6,00,000 TPA of Propylene, besides an annual

production of 3,25,000 TPA of Mono Ethylene Glycol, 1,40,000 TPA of

Butadiene, 6,50,000 TPA of Polyethylene and 6,00,000 TPA of Polypropylene,

equipped with downstream polymer units is to be completed by December

2009 at Panipat.

A grassroots refinery at Paradip is proposed to be completed by the year 2011-

12, subsequently followed by the setting up of an integrated petrochemical

plants with an estimated investment of Rs 12,000 crore (US$ 2.5 billion) which

will further strengthen the Corporation’s presence in the sector.

During the year, LAB sales touched 126 TMT including the export of 19 TMT

to 13 countries and over 30% growth achieved in PTA sales (535 TMT).

INDIAN OIL- A NATIONAL BRAND

IndianOil has been adjudged India's No. 1 brand by UK-based Brand Finance,

an independent consultancy that deals with valuation of brands. It was also

listed as India's 'Most Trusted Brand' in the 'Gasoline' category in a Readers'

Digest - AC Nielsen survey. In addition, IndianOil topped The Hindu Business

line’s "India's Most Valuable Brands" list.

However, the value of the IndianOil brand is not just limited to its commercial

role as an energy provider but straddles the entire value chain of gamut of

exploration & production, refining, transportation & marketing, petrochemicals

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& natural gas and downstream marketing operations abroad. IndianOil is a

national brand owned by over a billion Indians and that is a priceless value.

IOC- Products:

IndianOil is not only the largest commercial enterprise in the country it is the

flagship corporate of the Indian Nation. Besides having a dominant market

share, IndianOil is widely recognized as India’s dominant energy brand and

customers perceive IndianOil as a reliable symbol for high quality products and

services.

Benchmarking Quality, Quantity and Service to world-class standards is a

philosophy that IndianOil adheres to so as to ensure that customers get a truly

global experience in India. Our continued emphasis is on providing fuel

management solutions to customers who can then benefit from our expertise in

efficient sourcing and least cost supplies keeping in mind their usage patterns

and inventory management.

IndianOil is a heritage and iconic brand at one level and a contemporary, global

brand at another level. While quality, reliability and service remains the core

benefits to our customers, our stringent checks are built into operating systems,

at every level ensuring the trust of over a billion Indians over the last four

decades.

The Retail Brand template of IOC consists of XtraCare(Urban),

Swagat(Highway) and Kisan Seva Kendras(Rural). These brands are widely

recognized as pioneering brands in the petroleum retail segment. IndianOil’s

leadership extends to its energy brands - Indane LPG, SERVO Lubricants,

Autogas LPG, XtraPremium Branded Petrol, XtraMile Branded Diesel,

XtraPower Fleet Card, IndianOil Aviation and XtraRewards cash customer

loyalty programme.

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IOC Services:

IndianOil provides a wide range of marketing services and consultancy in fuel

handling, distribution, storage and fuel/lube technical services. With a

formidable bank of technical and engineering talent, IndianOil is fully

equipped to handle small to large-scale infrastructural projects in the petroleum

downstream sector anywhere in the country. Our project teams have

independently or jointly as a consortium, have set up depots, terminals,

pipelines, aviation fuel stations, filling plants, LPG bottling plants, amongst

others. IndianOil's fuel management system to bulk customers offer customized

solutions that deliver least cost supplies keeping in mind usage patterns and

inventory levels. A wide network of lubricant and fuel testing laboratories are

available at major installations which is further backed by sector-wise expertise

in the core sectors of power, steel, fertilizer, gas plants, textile mills, etc.

Cutting edge systems and processes are designed around one simple belief-to

provide valuable customers with an unbeatable edge in their business.

IndianOil's supply and distribution network is strategically located across the

country linked through a customized supply chain system backed by front

offices located in conceivably every single town of consequence.

The wide network of services offered by IndianOil, Marketing Division is

illustrated in this section, which includes; commercial/reticulated LPG; total

fuel management/ consumer pumps; IndianOil Aviation Service; LPG Business

(non fuel alliances); loyalty programs; retail business (non-fuel alliances) and

SERVO technical services.

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OIL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION

In E&P, IndianOil has non-operator participating interest in seven oil & gas

blocks awarded under various NELP (New Exploration Licensing Policy)

rounds and two Coal Bed Methane blocks in India, in consortium with other

companies. In addition, IndianOil has two onshore type ‘S’ NELP blocks, with

100% participating interest (PI) and sole operatorship. It also has participating

interest in an onshore block in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh through a farm-

in.

Overseas ventures of the Corporation includes two blocks (86 and 102/4) in

Sirte Basin and Areas 95/96 in Ghadames basin of Libya, Farsi Exploration

Block in Iran, onshore farm-in arrangements in one block in Gabon, one on

land block in Nigeria, one deepwater offshore block in Timor-Leste and two

onshore blocks in Yemen. In all, IndianOil has 12 domestic exploration blocks,

including 2 blocks where gas discoveries have been made and 9 overseas

exploration blocks, & the Farsi block in Iran where commerciality of gas

discovery has been established. IndianOil has incorporated Ind-OIL Overseas

Ltd. – a special purpose vehicle for acquisition of overseas E&P assets – in

Port Louis, Mauritius, in consortium with Oil India Ltd. (OIL). A consortium

of Repsol, Petronas, OVL, IndianOil and OIL has been awarded a project for

the development, extraction, up-gradation and marketing of heavy oil in

Carabobo heavy oil region of Venezuela.

GAS

During 2009-10, IndianOil sold 1.89 MMTPA of Natural Gas generating

revenues of Rs. 2,989 crore.A technology innovation has been initiated to reach

LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) directly to the doorstep of bulk consumers in

cryogenic containers for industrial as well as captive power applications.

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To consolidate its city gas distribution (CGD) business, IndianOil has tied up

with several players such as Adani Energy, Reliance Gas Corporation, OIL and

ONGC, etc., to set up joint ventures in various cities of India. The Corporation

has also entered into franchise agreements with CGD players such as

Indraprastha Gas Ltd., Mahanagar Gas Ltd., Adani Energy Limited, GEECL,

SITI Energy and GSPC Gas Ltd. to market CNG through its retail outlets

BIO-FULES

To straddle the complete bio-fuel value chain, IndianOil formed a joint venture

with the Chhattisgarh Renewable Development Authority (CREDA) with an

equity holding of 74% and 26% respectively. IndianOil CREDA Biofuels Ltd.

has been formed for carrying out farming, cultivating, manufacturing,

production and sale of biomass, bio-fuels and allied products and services.

A pilot project of Jatropha plantation on 600 hectares of revenue wasteland is

underway in Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh to ascertain the feasibility of

revenue land-based commercial biodiesel units and to develop benchmarks for

plantation costs and output.

IndianOil has also signed an MoU with M/s Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd. to take

up contract farming on one lakh hectare of private and panchayat wasteland in

the state of Uttar Pradesh.. A MoU for collaborating on commercial production

of biodiesel from algae has also been signed with PA LLC.

WIND ENERGY BUSINESS

IndianOiI has forayed into wind energy business with the commissioning of a

Rs. 130 crore, 21 MW wind power project in the Kutch district of Gujarat. The

cumulative power generation from the 14 wind turbine generators has crossed

159 lakh KW since commissioning in January 2009.

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It has also commissioned two pilot solar lantern charging stations at its Kisan

Seva Kendra at Sathla near Meerut and Chokoni near Bareilly.

CONSULTANCY

For over two decades now, IndianOil has been providing technical and

manpower secondment services to overseas companies. Such services have

been extended to Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), Kenya Pipeline

Company and Aden Refinery, Yemen . For the first time, SAP

implementation / IT consultancy was provided in Sri Lanka . Consultancy on

pipelines was provided to Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company

(GNPOC), Sudan .The 2nd India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference at New

Delhi was jointly organised by MoP&NG, FICCI and IndianOil. Kuwait

Petroleum Corporation (KPC) selected IndianOil as a training provider.

GLOBALISATION INITIATIVES

IndianOil has set up subsidiaries in Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the United Arab

Emirates (UAE), and is simultaneously scouting for new opportunities in the

energy markets of Asia and Africa.

Lanka IOC Ltd.Operates about 150 petrol & diesel stations in Sri Lanka, and

has a very efficient lube marketing network. Its oil terminal at Trincomalee is

also Sri Lanka's largest petroleum storage facility. Lanka IOC commissioned

an 18,000 tonnes per annum capacity lubricants blending plant and a state-of-

theart fuels and lubricants testing laboratory at Trincomalee Presently, it holds

a market share of about 40%. In a highly competitive bunker market, catering

to all types of bunker fuels and lubricants at all ports of Sri Lanka, viz.,

Colombo, Trincomalee and Galle. It is the major supplier of lubricants and

greases to the three arms of the Defence services of Sri Lanka. LIOC's market

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share in petrol increased stands at 24.8% in 2008 with an overall market share

of 16.9%.

IndianOil (Mauritius) Ltd. has an overall market share of nearly 22% and

commands a 35% market share in aviation fuelling business, apart from its

bunkering business. It operates a modern petroleum bulk storage terminal at

Mer Rouge port, besides 17 petrol & diesel stations. In addition to the ongoing

expansion of retail network, IOML has commissioned the first ISO-9001

product-testing laboratory in Mauritius. Overall sales grew by around 10% to

237 thousand kilolitres (KL) from 217 thousand KL last year to emerge with

the third largest market share of 24.4% on a turnover of MUR 4.6 billion (INR

6.8 billion).IOML's market share touched a high of 41.9% and the company is

the only one operating Retail Outlets round the clock.

The Corporation's UAE subsidiary, IOC Middle East FZE, which oversees

business expansion in the Middle East, has commenced blending SERVO

lubricants and marketing petroleum products and lubricants in the Middle East,

Africa and CIS countries. Finished lubes were exported to Oman , Qatar ,

Yemen , Bahrain , UAE and Nepal .

India Inspired

As a leading public sector enterprise of India, IndianOil has successfully

combined its corporate social responsibility agenda with its business offerings,

meeting the energy needs of millions of people everyday across the length and

breadth of the country, traversing a diversity of cultures, difficult terrains and

harsh climatic conditions. The Corporation takes pride in its continuous

investments in innovative technologies and solutions for sustainable energy

flow and economic growth and in developing techno-economically viable and

environment-friendly products & services for the benefit of its consumers.

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COMPETITORS OF IOCL

Indian Oil Corporation has two major domestic competitors, Bharat Petroleum

and Hindustan Petroleum. Both are state-controlled, like Indian Oil

Corporation. There are two private competitors, Reliance Petroleum and Essar

Oil.

EXTERNAL LINKS OF IOCL

IndianOil Customer Portal /Eledger -Information System Dept -H.O-

Mumbai

IndianOil Employees Portal /Eledger -Information System Dept -H.O-

Mumbai

IndianOil Corporation Ltd. Marketing Division -Information System

Dept -H.O-Mumbai

www.IOCL.com

Lanka IOC PLC

IOCL on Fortune Global 500

Interview of IOC Director

REFINERIES OF IOCL

Haldia Refinery is the only coastal refinery of the Corporation, situated

136 km downstream of Kolkata in the Purba Medinipur (East Midnapore)

district. It was commissioned in 1975 with a capacity of 2.5 MMTPA, which

has since been increased to 5.8 MMTPA

Mathura Refinery was commissioned in 1982 as the sixth refinery in the fold

of IndianOil and with an or Digboi Refinery, in Upper Assam, is India's oldest

refinery and was commissioned in 1901. Originally a part of Assam Oil

Company, it became part of IndianOil in 1981. Its original refining capacity

had been 0.5 MMTPA since 1901. Modernisation project of this refinery has

been completed and the refinery now has an increased capacity of 0.65 MM

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Guwahati Refinery, the first public sector refinery of the country, was built

with Romanian collaboration and was inaugurated by Late Pt. Jawaharlal

Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, on 1 January 1962.

Barauni Refinery, in Bihar, was built in collaboration with Russia and

Romania. It was commissioned in 1964 with a capacity of 1 MMTPA. Its

capacity today is 6 MMTPA.

Gujarat Refinery, at Koyali in Gujarat in Western India, is IndianOil’s largest

refinery. The refine inguinal capacity of 6.0 MMTPA. Located strategically

between the historic cities of Delhi and Agra, the capacity of Mathura refinery

was increased to 7.5 MMTPA.

Panipat Refinery is the seventh refinery of IndianOil. The original refinery with 6

MMTPA capacity was built and commissioned in 1998. Panipat Refinery has doubled

its refining capacity from 6 MMT/yr to 12 MMTPA with the commissioning of its

Expansion Project.

Objectives & Obligations

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Objectives:

To serve the national interests in oil and related sectors in accordance

and consistent with Government policies.

To ensure maintenance of continuous and smooth supplies of petroleum

products by way of crude oil refining, transportation and marketing

activities and to provide appropriate assistance to consumers to conserve

and use petroleum products efficiently.

To enhance the country's self-sufficiency in crude oil refining and build

expertise in laying of crude oil and petroleum product pipelines.

To further enhance marketing infrastructure and reseller network for

providing assured service to customers throughout the country.

To create a strong research & development base in refinery processes,

product formulations, pipeline transportation and alternative fuels with a

view to minimizing/eliminating imports and to have next generation

products.

To optimize utilization of refining capacity and maximize distillate yield

and gross refining margin.

To maximize utilization of the existing facilities for improving

efficiency and increasing productivity.

To minimize fuel consumption and hydrocarbon loss in refineries and

stock loss in marketing operations to effect energy conservation.

To earn a reasonable rate of return on investment.

To avail of all viable opportunities, both national and global, arising out

of the Government of India’s policy of liberalization and reforms.

To achieve higher growth through mergers, acquisitions, integration and

diversification by harnessing new business opportunities in oil

exploration & production, petrochemicals, natural gas and downstream

opportunities overseas.

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To inculcate strong ‘core values’ among the employees and

continuously update skill sets for full exploitation of the new business

opportunities.

To develop operational synergies with subsidiaries and joint ventures

and continuously engage across the hydrocarbon value chain for the

benefit of society at large

Financial Objectives:

To ensure adequate return on the capital employed and maintain a

reasonable annual dividend on equity capital.

To ensure maximum economy in expenditure.

To manage and operate all facilities in an efficient manner so as to

generate adequate internal resources to meet revenue cost and

requirements for project investment, without budgetary support.

To develop long-term corporate plans to provide for adequate growth of

the Corporation’s business.

To reduce the cost of production of petroleum products by means of

systematic cost control measures and thereby sustain market leadership

through cost competitiveness.

To complete all planned projects within the scheduled time and

approved cost.

Obligations:

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Towards customers and dealers: To provide prompt, courteous and

efficient service and quality products at competitive prices.

Towards suppliers: To ensure prompt dealings with integrity,

impartiality and courtesy and help promote ancillary industries.

Towards employees: To develop their capabilities and facilitate their

advancement through appropriate training and career planning. To have

fair dealings with recognized representatives of employees in pursuance

of healthy industrial relations practices and sound personnel policies.

Towards community: To develop techno-economically viable and

environment-friendly products. To maintain the highest standards in

respect of safety, environment protection and occupational health at all

production units.

Towards Defence Services: To maintain adequate supplies to Defence

and other Para-military services during normal as well as emergency

situations.

Research Objectives

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The purpose of this research is to discover answers to questions through the

applications of scientific procedures. The main aim of this research is to find

out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet. Though

each research study has its own specific purpose and this research has:-

1. To Enhance the Non Fuel Products’ Sale

The first objective has led to reasons for increasing importance of non fuel

retailing in context of Indian Petroleum Industry. This objective has

streamlined the process to explore the reasons for increasing importance of

allied retail business. It also focused on ways to enhance the market share and

level of customer satisfaction.

2. To Study the Background of Petroleum Industry in India

The second objective of this study is to study the Indian petroleum industry in

details. The objective would encompass the genesis of Indian petroleum

industry, the consumption mix, the major players and regulators in this industry

and its contribution to the economy.

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Non fuel products

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A brief overview:

Indane Distributors offer several Products/services such as

1. Higher safety & longer life Suraksha LPG hose,

2. Energy efficient Green label LPG stoves,

3. Portable Fire Extinguishers,

4. Fire Retardant Suraksha Kitchen Apron,

5. Flame type LP Gas Lighters,

6. Kitchenware e booking of Railway tickets etc.,

Planning to add few more value added products/services for the benefit of the

customers at highly competitive rates.

1. Higher safety & longer life Suraksha LPG hose:

23

You are aware that the presently used wire braided LPG pigtails in your Gas

Bank ( Manifold ) & Kitchen Burner installation are the weakest link in the

system & requires not only frequent changes but also is a potential safety

hazard & cause of major LPG fire accidents.

Now for the 1st time in India, Pigtail from BIS approved IS 9573 Type 4 hose

has arrived. This LPG hose is developed by LPG Equipment Research Centre,

Bangalore which is a joint research laboratory of PSU Oil Companies IOCL,

BPCL & HPCL. And by their license only, Super Seals India Ltd. an ISO 9002

company has manufactured this LPG hose. This Hose is specially designed for

Domestic and Commercial LPG Installations as a Safety item.

From the above described hose DYNAFLEX LPG pigtails are made for your

cylinder manifold (gas bank) & kitchen burners. End Fittings of this pigtail are

manufactured in-house at our Works in Ahmedabad(Gujarat,INDIA) on High

Precision machines. The best available Forged Brass is used to make super

quality Brass Nuts for pigtail & other fittings are made from the best available

Mild Steel material with utmost care & inspected at every level to ensure safety

& long life of our Fittings. The assembling operation of end fittings on the LPG

hose is done on World’s Best & highly sophisticated Hydraulic Crimping

Machine imported from U.K. Each & every DYNAFLEX assembly is then

tested hydraulically / pneumatically at double the working pressure to ensure

the quality of our product for Leak-proof & long life performance. As a result

the user will now get the strongest ever link of LPG system. By using these

DYNAFLEX pigtails all worries and tensions of frequent changing of pigtails

or of gas leakages will be over.

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What is Suraksha LPG hose and what are its special features ?

Ans: Suraksha LPG hose is patented and manufactured by LERC (LPG

Equipment Research Centre, Bangalore ) approved and BIS approved

manufacturers as per IS - 9573: 1998 Type-4. It is manufactured under

stringent quality control checks on raw materials and during its processing

stage and on finished products. Its salient features are:

1. Three layered construction i.e. inner and outer layers are made of special

quality rubber and middle layer made of braided Copper / Brass coated high

carbon steel wire mesh which eliminates various deficiencies of rubber tube.

2. Suraksha LPG hose has longer life of 5 years.

3. Suraksha LPG hose is crack proof, rodent cannot cut through steel braided

wire mesh.

4. Outer layer is fire resistant and Weather & abrasion resistant.

5. Each tube carries the details of batch no., month/year of manufacture,

replace before Month/year.

6. Each tube is packed and sold in a specially designed pouches. Details such as

manufacturer, MRP, Length of piece, instruction card and safety tips for usage

of LPG & Suraksha LPG hose are printed on each pouch.

2. Energy efficient Green label LPG stoves:

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Chandigarh , Oct 22 (UNI) Public sector Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has

introduced high thermal efficiency and eco-friendly 'Suryaflame' Liquid

Petroleum gas stoves to be sold through their Indane LPG outlets across the

country.

For this, IOC has signed an MoU with a private company Shivam having a

manufacturing facility at Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, to make these 'green' LPG

stoves with their Indane Logo, a IOC statement said here today.

Shivam has an installed capacity of 6,000 pieces per day and all the

components at the Baddi facility are produced in-house.

The new gas stoves, which give 68 per cent plus thermal efficiency higher than

the ordinary gas stoves, will be marketed through 5,000 Indane gas distribution

centres, covering rural and urban areas throughout India.

'Suryaflame' green label gas stoves are certified by the Bureau of Indian

Standards (BIS) and are capable of saving 15 per cent LP gas, according to the

Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) statistics.

The 'Suryaflame' gas stoves will be available in three variants ranging between

26

Rs 1,395 to Rs 2,195 and will carry logos of Indane, Suryaflame and ISI to

instill safety confidence among consumers.

Shivam will soon introduce a Flame Failure Device, which will automatically

switch off the stoves in case of any malfunctioning, and will be marketed

through IOC outlets.

3. Portable Fire Extinguishers:

27

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or

control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on

an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the

user (i.e. no escape route, smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires

the expertise of a fire department. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a

hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be

discharged to extinguish a fire.

There are two main types of fire extinguishers: stored pressure and cartridge-operated.

In stored pressure units, the expellant is stored in the same chamber as the

firefighting agent itself. Depending on the agent used, different propellants are used.

With dry chemical extinguishers, nitrogen is typically used; water and foam

extinguishers typically use air. Stored pressure fire extinguishers are the most

common type. Cartridge-operated extinguishers contain the expellant gas in a separate

cartridge that is punctured prior to discharge, exposing the propellant to the

extinguishing agent. This type is not as common, used primarily in areas such as

industrial facilities, where they receive higher-than-average use. They have the

advantage of simple and prompt recharge, allowing an operator to discharge the

extinguisher, recharge it, and return to the fire in a reasonable amount of time. Unlike

stored pressure types, these extinguishers utilize compressed carbon dioxide instead

28

of nitrogen, although nitrogen cartridges are used on low temperature (-60 rated)

models. Cartridge operated extinguishers are available in dry chemical and dry

powder types in the US and in water, wetting agent, foam, dry chemical (classes ABC

and BC),and dry powder (class D) types in the rest of the world.

History

A 1905 illustration marketing extinguishers.

The first fire extinguisher of which there is any record was patented in England

in 1723 by Ambrose Godfrey, a celebrated chemist. It consisted of a cask of

fire-extinguishing liquid containing a pewter chamber of gunpowder. This was

connected with a system of fuses which were ignited, exploding the gunpowder

and scattering the solution. This device was probably used to a limited extent,

as Bradley's Weekly Messenger for November 7, 1729, refers to its efficiency

in stopping a fire in London.

The modern fire extinguisher was invented by British Captain George William

Manby in 1818; it consisted of a copper vessel of 3 gallons (13.6 litres) of pearl

ash (potassium carbonate) solution contained within compressed air.

29

A classic copper building type soda-acid extinguisher

The soda-acid extinguisher was first patented in 1866 by Francois Carlier of

France, which mixed a solution of water and sodium bicarbonate with tartaric

acid, producing the propellant CO2 gas. A soda-acid extinguisher was patented

in the U.S. in 1881 by Almon M. Granger. His extinguisher used the reaction

between sodium bicarbonate solution and sulfuric acid to expel pressurized

water onto a fire. A vial was suspended in the cylinder containing concentrated

sulfuric acid. Depending on the type of extinguisher, the vial of acid could be

broken in one of two ways. One used a plunger to break the acid vial, whilst the

second released a lead stopple that held the vial closed. Once the acid was

mixed with the bicarbonate solution, carbon dioxide gas was expelled and

thereby pressurized the water. The pressurized water was forced from the

canister through a nozzle or short length of hose.

The cartridge-operated extinguisher was invented by Read & Campbell of

England in 1881, which used water or water-based solutions. They later

invented a carbon tetrachloride model called the "Petrolex" which was

marketed toward automotive use.

30

A chemical foam extinguisher with contents.

The chemical foam extinguisher was invented in 1904 by Aleksandr Loran in

Russia, based on his previous invention of fire fighting foam. Loran first used it

to extinguish a pan of burning naphtha. It works and looks similar to the soda-

acid type, but the inner parts are different. The main tank contains a solution of

water, foam compound (usually made from licorice root) and sodium

bicarbonate. A cylindrical metal or plastic chamber holds about a quart and a

half of 13% aluminium sulfate and is capped with a lead cap. When the unit is

turned over, the chemicals mix, producing CO2 gas. The licorice causes some

of the CO2 bubbles to become trapped in the liquid and is discharged on the fire

as a thick whitish-brown foam.

31

A Pyrene, brass, carbon-tetrachloride extinguisher

In 1910, The Pyrene Manufacturing Company of Delaware filed a patent for a

using carbon tetrachloride (CTC) to extinguish fires. The CTC vaporized and

extinguished the flames by creating a dense, oxygen-excluding blanket of

fumes, and to a lesser extent, inhibiting the chemical reaction. In 1911, they

patented a small, portable extinguisher that used the chemical. This consisted

of a brass or chrome container with an integrated handpump, which was used to

expel a jet of liquid towards the fire. It was usually of 1 imperial quart (1.1 L)

or 1 imperial pint (0.6 L) capacity but was also available in up to 2 imperial

gallon (9 L) size. As the container was unpressurized, it could be refilled after

use through a filling plug with a fresh supply of CTC.

A further variety of extinguishger - the Fire grenade - consisted of a glass

bottle filled with the liquid that was intended to be hurled at the base of a fire.

Early ones used salt-water, but later they were filled with CTC. Carbon

tetrachloride was suitable for liquid and electrical fires, and was popular in

motor vehicles until the late 1950s, when it was withdrawn because of its

toxicity. Exposure to high concentrations damages the nervous system and

internal organs. Additionally, when used on a fire, the heat converts CTC to

Phosgene , formerly used as a chemical weapon.

32

In the 1940s, Germany invented the liquid chlorobromomethane (CBM) for use

in aircraft. It was more effective and slightly less toxic than carbon

tetrachloride and was used until 1969. Methyl bromide was discovered as an

extinguishing agent in the 1920s and was used extensively in Europe. It is a

low-pressure gas that works by inhibiting the chain reaction of the fire and is

the most toxic of the vaporizing liquids, used until the 1960s. The vapor and

combustion by-products of all vaporizing liquids were highly toxic, and could

cause death in confined spaces.

A glass "grenade" style extinguisher, to be thrown into a fire.

The carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher was invented (at least in the US) by the

Walter Kidde Company in 1924 in response to Bell Telephone's request for an

electrically non-conductive chemical for extinguishing the previously difficult

to extinguish fires in telephone switchboards. It consisted of a tall metal

cylinder containing 7.5 lbs. of CO2 with a wheel valve and a woven brass,

cotton covered hose, with a composite funnel-like horn as a nozzle. CO2 is still

popular today as it is an ozone-friendly clean agent and is used heavily in film

and television production to extinguish burning stuntmen. Carbon dioxide fire

extinguishers must be inspected frequently. Carbon dioxide extinguishes fires

in part by rapidly cooling the burning object below its ignition temperature,

making it unable to sustain combustion. This characteristic is well known and

has led to the widespread misuse of carbon dioxide extinguishers to rapidly

cool beverages, especially beer.

33

An early dry chemical extinguisher, the first ones had copper cylinders, this

one is steel.

In 1928, DuGas (later bought by ANSUL) came out with a cartridge-operated

dry chemical extinguisher, which used sodium bicarbonate specially treated

with chemicals to render it free-flowing and moisture-resistant. It consisted of a

copper cylinder with an internal CO2cartridge. The operator turned a wheel

valve on top to puncture the cartridge and squeezed a lever on the valve at the

end of the hose to discharge the chemical. This was the first agent available for

large scale three-dimensional liquid and pressurized gas fires, and was but

remained largely a specialty type until the 1950s, when small dry chemical

units were marketed for home use. ABC dry chemical came over from Europe

in the 1950s, with Super-K being invented in the early 60s and Purple-K being

developed by the US Navy in the late 1960s.

In the 1970s, Halon 1211 came over to the US from Europe, where it had been

used since the late 40s or early 50s. Halon 1301 had been developed by DuPont

and the US Army in 1954. Both 1211 and 1301 work by inhibiting the chain

reaction of the fire, and in the case of Halon 1211, cooling class A fuels as

well. Halon is still in use today, but is falling out of favor for many uses due to

its environmental impact. Fire extinguishers are typically fitted in buildings at

34

an easily-accessible location, such as against a wall in a high-traffic area. They

are also often fitted to motor vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft - this is required

by law in many jurisdictions, for identified classes of vehicles. Under NFPA 10

all commercial vehicles must carry at least one fire extinguisher (size/UL rating

depending on type of vehicle and cargo (i.e.. fuel tankers typically must have a

9.1 kg (20 lb). when most others can carry a 2.3 kg (5 lb).) The revised NFPA

10 created criteria on the placement of "Fast Flow Extinguishers" in locations

such as those storing and transporting pressurized flammable liquids and

pressurized flammable gas or areas with possibility of three dimensional class

B hazards are required to have "fast flow" extinguishers as required by NFPA

5.5.1.1. Varying classes of competition vehicles require fire extinguishing

systems, the simplest requirements being a 1A:10BC hand-held portable

extinguisher mounted to the interior of the vehicle.

Types of extinguishing agents

Dry chemical

A small, disposable

sodium bicarbonate dry

chemical unit intended

for home kitchen use.

A typical dry chemical

extinguisher containing 5

lbs. of ammonium

phosphate dry chemical.

A 20lb.U.S.Navy

cartridge-operated purple-

K dry chemical (potassium

bicarbonate) extinguisher.

Two Super-K

(potassium

chloride)

extinguishers.

35

Powder based agent that extinguishes by separating the four parts of the fire

tetrahedron. It prevents the chemical reaction between heat, fuel and oxygen

and halts the production of fire sustaining "free-radicals", thus extinguishing

the fire.

Ammonium phosphate , also known as "tri-class", "multipurpose" or

"ABC" dry chemical, used on class A, B, and C fires. It receives its class

A rating from the agent's ability to melt and flow at 177 °C (350 °F) to

smother the fire. More corrosive than other dry chemical agents. Pale

yellow in color.

Sodium bicarbonate , "regular" or "ordinary" used on class B and C fires,

was the first of the dry chemical agents developed. It interrupts the fire's

chemical reaction, and was very common in commercial kitchens before

the advent of wet chemical agents, but now is falling out of favor, as it is

much less effective than wet chemical agents for class K fires, less

effective than Purple-K for class B fires, and is ineffective on class A

fires. White or blue in color.

Potassium bicarbonate (aka Purple-K), used on class B and C fires.

About two times as effective on class B fires as sodium bicarbonate, it is

the preferred dry chemical agent of the oil and gas industry. The only

dry chemical agent certified for use in ARFF by the NFPA. Violet in

color.

Potassium bicarbonate & Urea Complex (aka Monnex), used on Class B

and C fires. More effective than all other powders due to its ability to

decrepitate (where the powder breaks up into smaller particles) in the

flame zone creating a larger surface area for free radical inhibition.

Potassium Chloride , or Super-K dry chemical was developed in an effort

to create a high efficiency, protein-foam compatible dry chemical.

Developed in the 60s, prior to Purple-K, it was never as popular as other

agents since being a salt, it was quite corrosive. For B and C fires, white

in color.

36

Foam-Compatible , which is a sodium bicarbonate (BC) based dry

chemical, was developed for use with protein foams for fighting class B

fires. Most dry chemicals contain metal stearates to waterproof them,

but these will tend to destroy the foam blanket created by protein

(animal) based foams. Foam compatible type uses silicone as a

waterproofing agent, which does not harm foam. Effectiveness is

identical to regular dry chemical, and it is light green in color (some

ANSUL brand formulations are blue). This agent is generally no longer

used since most modern dry chemicals are considered compatible with

synthetic foams such as AFFF.

MET-L-KYL is a specialty variation of sodium bicarbonate for fighting

pyrophoric liquid fires (ignite on contact with air). In addition to sodium

bicarbonate, it also contains silica gel particles. The sodium bicarbonate

interrupts the chain reaction of the fuel and the silica soaks up any

unburned fuel, preventing contact with air. It is effective on other class

B fuels as well. Blue/Red in color.

Foams

A 2-1/2 gallon AFFF foam fire extinguisher

37

Applied to fuel fires as either an aspirated (mixed & expanded with air in a

branch pipe) or non aspirated form to form a frothy blanket or seal over the

fuel, preventing oxygen reaching it. Unlike powder, foam can be used to

progressively extinguish fires without flashback.

AFFF (aqueous film forming foam), used on A and B fires and for vapor

suppression. The most common type in portable foam extinguishers. It

contains fluoro tensides [12] which can be accumulated in human body.

The long-term effects of this on the human body and environment are

unclear at this time.

AR-AFFF (Alcohol-resistant aqueous film forming foams), used on fuel

fires containing alcohol. Forms a membrane between the fuel and the

foam preventing the alcohol from breaking down the foam blanket.

FFFP (film forming fluoroprotein) contains naturally occurring proteins

from animal by-products and synthetic film-forming agents to create a

foam blanket that is more heat resistant than the strictly synthetic AFFF

foams. FFFP works well on alcohol-based liquids and is used widely in

motorsports.

CAFS (compressed air foam system) Any APW style extinguisher that

is charged with a foam solution and pressurized with compressed air.

Generally used to extend a water supply in wildland operations. Used on

class A fires and with very dry foam on class B for vapor suppression.

Arctic Fire is a liquid fire extinguishing agent that emulsifies and cools

heated materials more quickly than water or ordinary foam. It is used

extensively in the steel industry. Effective on classes A, B, and D.

FireAde , a foaming agent that emulsifies burning liquids and renders

them non-flammable. It is able to cool heated material and surfaces

similar to CAFS. Used on A and B (said to be effective on some class D

hazards, although not recommended due to the fact that fireade still

contains amounts of water which will react with some metal fires).

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An American water extinguisher

Water

Cools burning material.

APW (Air pressurized water) cools burning material by absorbing heat

from burning material. Effective on Class A fires, it has the advantage of

being inexpensive, harmless, and relatively easy to clean up. In the

United States, APW units contain 2.5 gallons (9 litres) of water in a tall,

stainless steel cylinder. In Europe, they are typically mild steel lined

with polyethylene, painted red, containing 6-9 litres (1.75-2.5 gallons)

of water.

Water Mist uses a fine misting nozzle to break up a stream of deionized

water to the point of not conducting electricity back to the operator.

Class A and C rated. It is used widely in hospitals for the reason that,

unlike other clean-agent suppressants, it is harmless and non-

contaminant. These extinguishers come in 1.75 and 2.5 gallon units,

painted white in the United States and red in Europe.

Wet chemical and water additives

39

Wet Chemical (potassium acetate, carbonate, or citrate) extinguishes the

fire by forming a soapy foam blanket over the burning oil and by

cooling the oil below its ignition temperature. Generally class A and K

(F in Europe) only, although newer models are outfitted with misting

nozzles as those used on water mist units to give these extinguishers

class B and C firefighting capability.

Wetting Agents Detergent based additives used to break the surface

tension of water and improve penetration of Class A fires.

Antifreeze Chemicals added to water to lower its freezing point to about

-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Has no appreciable effect on extinguishing

performance.

[Clean agents and carbon dioxide

A 5 lb. CO2 fire extinguisher

Agent displaces oxygen (CO2 or inert gases), removes heat from the

combustion zone (Halotron, FE-36) or inhibits chemical chain reaction

(Halons). They are labelled clean agents because they do not leave any residue

after discharge which is ideal for sensitive electronics and documents.

40

Halon (including Halon 1211 and Halon 1301), a gaseous agent that

inhibits the chemical reaction of the fire. Classes B:C for lower weight

fire extinguishers (2.3 kg ; under 9 lbs) and A:B:C for heavier weights

(4.1-7.7 kg ; 9-17 lbs). Banned from new production, except for military

use, as of January 1, 1994 as its properties contribute to ozone depletion

and long atmospheric lifetime, usually 400 years. Halon was completely

banned in Europe resulting in stockpiles being sent to the United States

for reuse. Although production has been banned, the reuse is still

permitted. Halon 1301 and 1211 are being replaced with new

halocarbon agents which have no ozone depletion properties and low

atmospheric lifetimes, but are less effective. Currently Halotron I,

Halotron II, FE-36 Cleanguard and FM-200 are meant to be

replacements with significantly reduced ozone depletion potential.

CO 2, a clean gaseous agent which displaces oxygen. Highest rating for

7.7 kg (20 pound) portable CO2 extinguishers is 10B:C. Not intended for

Class A fires, as the high-pressure cloud of gas can scatter burning

materials. CO2 is not suitable for use on fires containing their own

oxygen source, metals or cooking media. Although it can be rather

successful on a person on fire, its use should be avoided where possible

as it can cause frostbite and is dangerous to use as it may displace the

oxygen needed for breathing, causing suffocation.

Mixtures of inert gases, including Inergen and Argonite.

compressed CO2 sprinkler is another design used to fight the electric

fires with cubic cylinder of 7 cubic meter starting from 1 meter above

the sprinkler level.

41

Class D

A class D fire extinguisher for various metals

There are several Class D fire extinguisher agents available, some will handle

multiple types of metals, others will not.

Sodium Chloride (Super-D, Met-L-X or METAL.FIRE.XTNGSHR) -

contains sodium chloride salt and thermoplastic additive. Plastic melts to

form an oxygen-excluding crust over the metal, and the salt dissipates

heat. Useful on most alkali metals including sodium and potassium, and

other metals including magnesium, titanium, aluminum, and zirconium.

Copper based (Copper Powder Navy125S) -developed by the U.S. Navy

in the 70s for hard-to-control lithium and lithium-alloy fires. Powder

smothers and acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat, but also forms a

copper-lithium alloy on the surface which is non-combustible and cuts

off the oxygen supply. Will cling to a vertical surface-lithium only.

Graphite based (G-Plus, G-1, Lith-X, Pyromet or

METAL.FIRE.XTNGSHR) -contains dry graphite that smothers burning

metals. First type developed, designed for magnesium, works on other

42

metals as well. Unlike sodium chloride powder extinguishers, the

graphite powder fire extinguishers can be used on very hot burning

metal fires such as lithium, but unlike copper powder extinguishers will

not stick to and extinguish flowing or vertical lithium fires. Like copper

extinguishers, the graphite powder acts as a heat sink as well as

smothering the metal fire.

Sodium carbonate based (Na-X)-used where stainless steel piping and

equipment could be damaged by sodium chloride based agents to control

sodium, potassium, and sodium-potassium alloy fires. Limited use on

other metals. Smothers and forms a crust.

Some water based suppressants may be used on certain class D fires,

such as burning titanium and magnesium. Examples include the Fire

Blockade and FireAde brands of suppressant. Some metals, such as

elemental Lithium, will react explosively with water, therefore water-

based chemicals should never be used on such fires due to the possibility

of a violent reaction.

Most Class D extinguishers will have a special low velocity nozzle or discharge

wand to gently apply the agent in large volumes to avoid disrupting any finely

divided burning materials. Agents are also available in bulk and can be applied

with a scoop or shovel.

Fire Extinguishing Ball

Several modern ball or "grenade" style extinguishers are on the market. They

are manually operated by rolling or throwing into a fire. The modern version of

the ball will self destruct once in contact with flame, dispersing a cloud of ABC

dry chemical powder over the fire which extinguishes the flame. The coverage

area is about 5 square meters. One benefit of this type is that it may be used for

passive suppression. The ball can be placed in a fire prone area and will deploy

43

automatically if a fire develops, being triggered by heat. Most modern

extinguishers of this type are designed to make a loud noise upon deployment.

This technology is not new, however. In the 1800s, glass fire grenades filled

with suppressant liquids were popular. These glass fire grenade bottles are

sought by collectors. Some later brands, such as Red Comet, were designed for

passive operation, and included a special holder with a spring loaded trigger

that would break the glass ball when a fusible link melted. As was typical of

this era, some glass extinguishers contained the toxic carbon tetrachloride.

Maintenance

An empty fire extinguisher which was not replaced for years.

Most countries in the world require regular fire extinguisher maintenance by a

competent person to operate safely and effectively, as part of fire safety

legislation. Lack of maintenance can lead to an extinguisher not discharging

when required, or rupturing when pressurized. Deaths have occurred, even in

recent times, from corroded extinguishers exploding.

There is no all-encompassing fire code in the United States. Generally, most

municipalities (by adoption of the International Fire Code) require inspections

44

every 30 days to ensure the unit is pressurized and unobstructed (done by an

employee of the facility) and an annual inspection by a qualified technician.

Hydrostatic pressure testing for all types of extinguishers is also required,

generally every five years for water and CO2 models up to every 12 years for

dry chemical models.

Recently the National Fire Protection Association and ICC voted to allow for

the elimination of the 30 day inspection requirement so long as the fire

extinguisher is monitored electronically. According to NFPA, the system must

provide record keeping in the form of an electronic event log at the control

panel. The system must also constantly monitor an extinguisher’s physical

presence, internal pressure and whether an obstruction exists that could prevent

ready access. In the event that any of the above conditions are found, the

system must send an alert to officials so they can immediately rectify the

situation. Electronic monitoring can be wired or wireless.

Extinguishers installed on vehicles every 5 years regardless of type.

Note: these are the required intervals for normal service conditions, if the

extinguisher has been exposed to excessive heat, vibration, or mechanical

damage it may need to be tested sooner.

The agent is emptied and depressurized and the valve is removed. After a

thorough internal and external visual inspection, the cylinder is filled with

water, placed inside a safety cage, and pressurized to the specified test pressure

(varies with the type, age, and cylinder material) for the specified time period.

If no failure, bulges, or leaks are detected, the cylinder passes. The cylinder is

then emptied of water and thoroughly dried. CO2 types have the test date,

company's ID, etc. stamped on the cylinder, all other types get a sticker on the

back of the cylinder. Once dry, the units are recharged. Unlike the UK, the US

does not rebuild extinguishers and replace valves at specific intervals unless

parts are found to be defective, with the exception of halon. Halon types are

45

often given new o-rings and valve stems at every internal maintenance to

minimize any leakage potential.

OEM equipment must be used for replacement parts for the extinguisher to

maintain its UL rating. If parts are unavailable, replacement is recommended,

keep in mind extinguishers have a projected service life of about 25–35 years,

although many are of such quality that they can outlast this, but realize that

science is ever-changing, and something that was the best available 30 years

ago may not be acceptable for modern fire protection needs.

Vandalism and extinguisher protection

A fire extinguisher stored inside a cabinet mounted to a wall

Fire extinguishers can be a target of vandalism in schools and other open

spaces. Extinguishers can be partially or fully discharged by a vandal,

impairing the extinguisher's actual firefighting abilities.

In open public spaces, extinguishers are ideally kept inside cabinets that have

glass that must be broken to access the extinguisher, or which emit an alarm

siren that cannot be shut off without a key, to alert people the extinguisher has

been handled by an unauthorized person when a fire is not present.

46

Fire extinguisher signs

Heavy-duty CO2-powered fire extinguisher on standby at a temporary

helicopter landing site

Fire extinguisher identification signs are small signs designed to be mounted

near a fire extinguisher, in order to draw attention to the extinguisher's location

(Ex. If the Extinguisher is on a large pole the sign would generally be at the top

of the pole so it can be seen from a distance) Such signs may be manufactured

from a variety of materials, commonly self-adhesive vinyl, rigid PVC and

aluminum.

In addition to words and pictographs indicating the presence of a fire

extinguisher , some modern extinguisher ID signs also describe the

extinguishing agent in the unit, and summarize the types of fire on which it

may safely be used.

Some public and government buildings are often required, by local legal codes,

to provide an ID sign for each extinguisher on the site.

Similar signs are available for other fire equipment (including fire blankets and

fire hose reels/racks), and for other emergency equipment (such as first aid

kits).

47

Placement of fire extinguisher signs

Fire extinguisher signs are mounted above or to the side of the extinguisher

they relate to.

Most licensing authorities have regulations describing the standard appearance

of these signs (e.g. text height, pictographs used and so on).

Photo-luminescent fire extinguisher signs

Photo-luminescent fire extinguisher signs are made with a photoluminescent

phosphor that absorbs ambient light and releases it slowly in dark conditions -

the sign "glows in the dark". Such signs are independent of an external power

supply, and so offer a low-cost, reliable means of indicating the position of

emergency equipment in dark or smoky conditions.

Photo-luminescent signs are sometimes wrongfully described as being reflective. A

reflective material will only return ambient light for as long as the light source is

supplied, rather than storing energy and releasing it over a period of time. However,

many fire extinguishers and extinguisher mounting posts have strips of

retroreflective adhesive tape placed on them to facilitate their location in situations

where only emergency lighting or flashlights are available.

48

4. Fire Retardant Suraksha Kitchen Apron:

IndianOil has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with M/s Creative, for

marketing India�s first fire retardant kitchen aprons through its countrywide

network of Indane LPG Distributors. The MoU was signed recently by Mr.

Mrinal Roy, Executive Director (LPG), IndianOil, and Ms. Priyanka Ganguly,

Managing Partner, Creative, in the presence of senior officials from IndianOil

and Creative. �For us, the Kitchen is a workplace where safety is of

paramount importance. Our customers, both fulltime homemakers and those

who have perfected the art of balancing their careers and households should

clearly have the comfort of a safe and accident free environment. The

specialized fire retardant apron being marketed by IndianOil, is a result of new

generation fabric technology, that also ensures it remains stain free and weather

49

proof, all with a natural fabric feel to it, said Mr. Mrinal Roy.

M/s Creative is the first company in India to manufacture and market Fire

retardant kitchen aprons made from fire retardant fabric - Pyroguard. The

Pyroguard fabric is manufactured in India only by M/s Jayashree Textiles, a

unit of the Aditya Birla Nuvo Group. The fabric is made from Modacrylic

fibres, which have been developed by Keneka Group, Japan. The inherent

flame retardant quality of the fabric conforms to the standards of ASTM-F-

1506, NFPA-1975, BSEN-15025 and IS-11871 in respect of flammability test.

The introduction of the fire retardant apron is a part of IndianOil�s efforts to

enhance non-fuel sales through its vast reseller network of Indane Distributors

and Petrol Station dealers. During 2006-07 alone, the revenues from non-fuel

sales through Indane LPG distributors touched a record Rs. 18170 lakh. The

products being marketed by Indane Distributors include Suraksha hoses, Green

Label Stoves, Portable Fire Extinguishers, Water purifiers; Geysers/Water

heaters and LPG powered Gensets. Besides these, the state of the art

infrastructure in Indane Bottling Plants was also leveraged to generate revenues

by providing degassing and purging facilities for LPG tank trucks. Some

Indane Bottling Plants have even managed to convert their green belts into

plantations that yield a profitable crop of fruits and vegetables.

50

5. Flame type LP Gas Lighters:

A lighter is a portable device used to generate a flame. It consists of a metal or

plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a

means of ignition, and some provision for extinguishing the flame.

History

The first lightsavers were invented in the 16th century and were converted

flintlock pistols that used gunpowder. One of the first lighters was invented by

a German Chemist named Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner in 1823 and was often

called Döbereiner's Lamp.[1] This lighter worked by a reaction of hydrogen to

platinum sponge, which gave off a great amount of heat. The device was very

large and highly dangerous and fell out of production by the end of the 19th

century.

The patenting of Ferrocerium (often misidentified as flint) by Carl Auer von

Welsbach in 1903 has made modern lighters possible. When scratched, it

produces a large spark which is responsible for lighting the fuel of many

lighters, and is suitably inexpensive for use in disposable items.

51

Using Carl Auer von Welsbach's flint, companies like Ronson were able to

develop practical and easy to use lighters. In 1910 Ronson released the first

Pist-O-Liter and in 1913 the company developed its first lighter, called the

"Wonderlite", which was a permanent match style of lighter.

During World War I, soldiers used wasted cartridges and glowing wooden

blocks to make an improvised type of lighter instead of using matches because

they feared that the initial spark or flare would alert sharp shooters to their

position.

The Zippo lighter and company were invented and founded by George G.

Blaisdell in 1932. The Zippo was noted for its reliability, "Life Time Warranty"

and marketing as "Wind-Proof". Most early Zippos used naphtha as a fuel

source.

In the 1950s there was a switch in fuel choice from naphtha to butane, as

butane allows for a controllable flame and has less odor. This also led to the

use of piezoelectric spark, which replaced the need for a flint wheel in some

lighters and was used in many Ronson lighters. In 1973 BIC launched its first

lighter design and in 1998 introduced the child-safety feature, a metal shield

over the flint wheel, seen on all modern BICs. BIC lighters are made to be

cheap and disposable.

Operation

Naphtha based lighters employ a saturated cloth wick and fiber packing to

absorb the fluid and prevent it from leaking. They employ an enclosed top to

prevent the volatile liquid from evaporating, and to conveniently extinguish the

flame. Butane lighters have a valved orifice that meters the butane gas as it

escapes.

A spark is created by striking metal against a flint, or by pressing a button that

compresses a piezoelectric crystal, generating an electric arc. In naphtha

52

lighters, the liquid is sufficiently volatile, and flammable vapor is present as

soon as the top of the lighter is opened. Butane lighters combine the striking

action with the opening of the valve to release gas. The spark ignites the

flammable gas causing a flame to come out of the lighter which continues until

either the top is closed (naphtha type), or the valve is released (butane type).

A metal enclosure with air holes generally surrounds the flame, and is designed

to allow mixing of fuel and air while making the lighter less sensitive to wind.

The high energy jet in butane lighters allows mixing to be accomplished by

using Bernoulli's principle, so that the air hole(s) in this type tend to be much

smaller and farther from the flame.

Specialized "windproof" butane lighters are manufactured for demanding

conditions such as shipboard, high altitude, and wet climates. Some dedicated

models double as synthetic rope cutters. Such lighters are often far hotter than

normal lighters (those that use a "soft flame") and can burn in excess of 1,100°

Celsius. Contrary to common misconception, the windproof capabilities are not

achieved from "higher pressure" fuel. Windproof lighters use the same fuel

(butane) as standard lighters, and therefore develop the same vapor pressure.

The difference is that windproof lighters pass the butane/air mixture through a

catalytic coil. An electric spark starts the initial flame, and soon after the coil is

hot enough to sustain a catalytic reaction and cause the fuel/air mixture to burn

on contact. In essence, the flame is constantly reignited by the coil.

Other types

1. Permanent match

A typical form of lighter is the permanent match, consisting of a fuel-filled

metal shell and separate metal rod serving as wick.

The rod is removed and scratched against a flint on the side of the case to

create a spark. Its internal wick catches fire, resembling a match. The flame is

53

extinguished by placing the rod into the shell, where it absorbs fuel for the next

use.

2. Automobile lighter

Some automobiles are equipped with an electric cigarette lighter housed in a

12-volt lighter receptacle. Its electric heating element becomes hot in seconds

upon activation.

3. Decorative lighter

Refillable decorative wands are becoming popular, especially for household

use.

Safety

Two technical standards relate to the safety of lighters: the International

Standard EN ISO 9994:2002 and the European standard EN 13869:2002.

The International Standard establishes non-functional specifications on quality,

reliability and safety of lighters and appropriate test procedures. For instance, a

lighter should generate flame only through positive action on the part of the

user, two or more independent actions by the user, or an actuating force greater

than or equal to 15 N. The standard also specifies other safety features, such as

the lighter's maximum flame height and its resistance to elevated temperatures,

dropping, and damages from continuous burning. However, the standard does

not include child resistance specifications.

The European standard EN 13869:2002 establishes child-resistance

specifications and defines as novelty lighters those that resemble another object

commonly recognized as appealing to children younger than 51 months, or

those that have entertaining audio or animated effects.

54

As matches, lighters, and other heat sources are the leading causes of fire

deaths for children, many jurisdictions, such as the EU, have forbidden the

marketing of novelty or non-child resistant lighters. Examples of child

resistance features, include the use of a smooth or shielded spark wheel.

In 2005 the fourth edition of the ISO standard was released (ISO9994:2005).

The main change to the 2004 Standard is the inclusion of specifications on

safety symbols.

55

KEY TERMS

Non- Fuel Products & Services:

All the products and services which are sold or provided on petro retail outlets

other than fuel (petrol, diesel, A-LPG, CNG)

Retailing:

Retailing is the set of activities that markets products or services to final

consumers for their own personal or household use whereas Retailer is

someone who cuts off or sheds a small piece from something

Liberalization:

Liberalization refers to a relaxation of previous government restrictions,

usually in areas of social or economic policy. Economic liberalization is a very

broad term that usually refers to fewer government regulations and restrictions

in the economy in exchange for greater participation of private entities.

Optimal Utilization:

These are the methodologies for improving the quality and desirability of the

current product or a product concept.

Strategy:

These are the short term techniques which need to be exercised in order to achieve

the organization goals & objectives.

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Research Design

The research design will help in the arrangement of conditions for collection

and analysis of data as it is a conceptual structure which depicts the advance

planning of the methods to be adopted for collecting data and the techniques

used in the analysis, keeping in view the objective of the dissertation.

Research type: Descriptive

Research Duration: 28 June 2010 to 08 August 2010.

Type of Data: Primary

Sources of Data: Questionnaires

Research Design focuses primarily on providing help with the tool and

techniques used in research process. These tools and techniques differ from

discipline to discipline. The Research design was a blend of descriptive and

exploratory research design. The respondents have been selected through

random sampling method.

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Research Methodology

This chapter describes the methodology of the study. This project is based on

information collected from primary sources. The Research exercise has been

accomplished with the sample size of 25 distributors. The questionnaire

method was applied for this exercise. The Research design was a blend of

descriptive and exploratory research design. The respondents have been

selected through Random sampling method. The data had been used to cover

various aspects like quality, prices, convenience, features etc of the non fuel

products. In collecting requisite data and information regarding the topic

selected, I went to various distributors of Indian Oil at Delhi and Aligarh to

collect the data.

Primary data collection method

In primary data collection, you collect the data yourself using methods such as

interviews and questionnaires. The key point here is that the data you collect is

unique to you and your research and, until you publish, no one else has access

to it. There are many methods of collecting primary data and the main methods

include:

Questionnaires

Interviews

Observation

Case studies

Sampling of Respondent:

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Survey sampling

In statistics, Survey sampling is random selection of a sample from a finite

population. It is an important part of planning statistical research and design of

experiments. Sophisticated sampling techniques that are both economical and

scientifically reliable have been developed.

Random Sampling

Sampling can be defined as a part of population. Thus random sampling may

be defined as the selection of a portion from the whole population in which

each elements of the population has an equal chance of being selected. A more

please definition is that each element in the population has a non-zero and

known probability of selection a randomly drawn sample is an unbiased

sample. In this research survey more than 25 distributors were surveyed at

random to get the relevant information.

The most elementary methodology is called simple random sampling. Most of

the theory of statistics assumes this kind of sampling unless otherwise noted. In

theory it ensures that all subsets of the population are given a balanced

probability of selection.

The possibility of very expensive or very a typical sample has led to a variety

of modifications such as stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and multistage

sampling.

Design of Instrument:

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A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and

other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents.

Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is

not always the case. The questionnaire was invented by Sir Francis Galton.

Questionnaires have advantages over some other types of surveys in that they

are cheap, do not require as much effort from the questioner as verbal or

telephone surveys, and often have standardized answers that make it simple to

compile data. However, such standardized answers may frustrate users.

Questionnaires are also sharply limited by the fact that respondents must be

able to read the questions and respond to them. Thus, for some demographic

groups conducting a survey by questionnaire may not be practical. As a type of

survey, questionnaires also have many of the same problems relating to

question construction and wording that exist in other types of opinion polls.

Pre-testing the Questionnaire

Estimate the length of the questionnaire.

Ensure that words, phrases, and subjects are easily understood by the

respondents.

Ensure that answer categories match with what the respondents have to

say.

Ensure that the questionnaire achieves the research objectives.

Procedure

60

The project is carried out in various phases since the project is exploratory in

nature and the data collected for the analysis is collected from primary

research. The research work is carried out in following phases:

The first step, before I started with the research, was to gather the

maximum possible information related to the topic concerned.

This information was gathered by doing secondary research with the

help of books, case studies, and various research papers.

On the basis of this secondary research all the information security

related issues were searched and studied in detail (to get aware of all

practices before interviewing / interacting with respondents).

After discussing with the guide, those information security parameters

related to the topic, were taken into account.

The questionnaire was set up to have an open ended discussion with the

respondents.

The questionnaire was finalized with the concern of the guide.

The survey was conducted in Indane Gas Agencies.

To evaluate the result, bar graphs have been made in the Microsoft

Excel with the help of data gathered from the questionnaire and the

analysis of the graphs is discussed in detail in next section.

Lastly the data collected was compiled and the result was analyzed using

bar graph.

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Analysis

To reach to the conclusion the interpretation of the following bar graphs which are

made by data gathered from the questionnaire (tool for primary research) to know the

information security in education sector. I will analyze these graphs in detail one by

one. The interpretation of the Bar graphs is as follows:-

Questionnaire with Answer of Respondents

S.No. Question: 1

Overall how satisfied are you with our Products?

Response

a. Very satisfied 8

b. Satisfied 17

c. Neutral 0

d. Dissatisfied 0

e. Very dissatisfied 0

This question is used to know about the satisfaction of the distributors with the non fuel products of IOCL in the region. We can see from the bar graph that the 32% distributors are very satisfied and 68% are satisfied with that.

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S.No. Question: 2

In your opinion are the products better, about

the same or worst than other companies’

products?

Response

a. Better 21

b. About the same 4

c. Worse 0

This question is used to know about the quality of our products in comparison to other companies’ products. So we found that 84% distributors accept that the products are better than other and 16% feel that the products are about the same as shown in bar graph.

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S.No. Question: 3

Do you typically read the back and side panel of the products package?

Response

a. Yes 24

b. No 0

c. Not Sure 1

With regard to this question we found that 84% distributors accept that the products are better than other and 16% feel that the products are about the same as shown in bar graph.

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S.No. Question: 4

How familiar are you with our products?

Response

a. Very familiar (use on a regular basis) 22

b. Somewhat familiar (use it only sometimes) 2

c. Familiar but never used it 1

d. Never heard of product before 0

As per the question and shown in the bar graph it is found that 88% distributors are very familiar with our products and use it on a regular basis, 8% said that they are somewhat familiar and use it only some times and remaining 1% distributors are familiar but never used our products.

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S.No. Question: 5

What other brands of products have you heard of?

Response

a. ONGC 16

b. BPCL 16

c. HP 16

d. Any Other 0

e. None 9

As per the question 64% distributors have heard about the all three companies’ products and 36% have not heard about any one as shown in the bar graph.

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S.No. Question: 6

What were reasons for trying these products?

Response

a. Looks good 1

b. Easy to use/convenient 6

c. Price Value 3

d. Best quality 12

e. Other reasons 3

As the bar graph is showing 4% distributors are trying these products for its good looks, 24% for its convenient, 12% for its price value, 48% for its quality and remaining 12% are using the products because of other reasons.

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S.No. Question: 7

At what price would our products begin to look inexpensive or cheap?

Response

a. (20-30%) more 11

b. (5-10%) more 0

c. No more, no less 10

d. (5-10%) less 2

e. (20-30%) less 2

As per the bar graph 44% distributors said that these are 20-30% more cheap, 40% said that these are no more no less cheap, 8% said that these are 5-10% less cheap and remaining 8% said that these are 20-30% less cheap.

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S.No. Question: 8

If you knew that the average price of products would you expect to pay more or less to buy the described product?

Response

a. (20-30%) more 5

b. (5-10%) more 2

c. No more, no less 11

d. (5-10%) less 4

e. (20-30%) less 3

As per the respondents as shown in the bar graph it is clear that 20% distributors are expecting to pay 20-30% more, 8% distributors 5-10% more 44% distributors no more no less prices, 16% distributors 5-10% less and 12% distributors 20-30% less.

5

2

11

43

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

(20-30%) more (5-10%) more No more, noless

(5-10%) less (20-30%) less

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S.No. Question: 9

Based on the description, how interested would you be in buying our products, if priced within your budget?

Response

a. Not at all interested 0

b. Not very interested 0

c. Not sure 1

d. Somewhat interested 3

e. Very interested 21

As shown in the bar graph 4% distributors are not sure about it, 12% distributors are somewhat interested and 84% distributors are very interested in buying the products if priced within their budget.

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S.No. Question: 10

Will you recommend these products to others?

Response

a. Yes 24

b. No 0

c. Don’t know 1

As per the bar graph, 96% distributors answered about this question yes! They will recommend our products to other and 4% said that they don’t know.

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Findings

In my research I found that:

The 32% distributors are very satisfied and 68% are satisfied with our products.

84% distributors accept that the products are better than other and 16% feel that the products are about the same as shown in bar graph.

84% distributors accept that the products are better than other and 16% feel that the products are about the same as.

88% distributors are very familiar with our products and use it on a regular basis, 8% said that they are somewhat familiar and use it only some times and remaining 1% distributors are familiar but never used our products.

64% distributors have heard about the all three companies’ products and 36% have not heard about any one.

4% distributors are trying these products for its good looks, 24% for its convenient, 12% for its price value, 48% for its quality and remaining 12% are using the products because of other reasons.

44% distributors said that these are 20-30% more cheap, 40% said that these are no more no less cheap, 8% said that these are 5-10% less cheap and remaining 8% said that these are 20-30% less cheap.

20% distributors are expecting to pay 20-30% more, 8% distributors 5-10% more 44% distributors no more no less prices, 16% distributors 5-10% less and 12% distributors 20-30% less.

4% distributors are not sure about it, 12% distributors are somewhat interested and 84% distributors are very interested in buying the products if priced within their budget.

96% distributors answered about this question yes! They will recommend our products to other and 4% said that they don’t know.

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Annexure

Indian Oil Corporation limited

Respected Sir/Madam, I request you to kindly fill up the questionnaire and help me to

know the enhancement of non-fuel products sale. The information provided here is

kept very confidential and would used academic purpose only.

Name:..................................................................................

Firm’s Name:......................................................................

E-mail ID:...........................................................................

Contact No:.........................................................................

Address:..............................................................................

...............................................................................

............................................................................... ...............................................................................

1. Overall how satisfied are you with our Products?

a. Very satisfiedb. Satisfiedc. Neutrald. Dissatisfiede. Very dissatisfied

2. In your opinion are the products better, about the same or worst than other companies’ products?

a. Betterb. About the samec. Worse

3. Do you typically read the back and side panel of the products package?

a. Yesb. Noc. Not Sure

4. How familiar are you with our products?

a. Very familiar (use on a regular basis)b. Somewhat familiar (use it only sometimes)

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c. Familiar but never used itd. Never heard of product before

5. What other brands of products have you heard of?

a. ONGCb. BPCLc. HPd. Any Othere. No

6. What were reasons for trying these products?

a. Looks goodb. Easy to use/convenientc. Price Valued. Best qualitye. Other reasons

7. At what price would our products begin to look inexpensive or cheap?

a. (20-30%) moreb. (5-10%) morec. No more, no lessd. (5-10%) lesse. (20-30%) less

8. If you knew that the average price of products would you expect to pay more or less to buy the described product?

a. (20-30%) moreb. (5-10%) morec. No more, no lessd. (5-10%) lesse. (20-30%) less

9. Based on the description, how interested would you be in buying our products, if priced within your budget?

a. Not at all interestedb. Not very interestedc. Not sured. Somewhat interestede. Very interested

10. Will you recommend these products to others?

a. Yesb. Noc. Don’t know

74

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Indian Petroleum Industry

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_petroleum_companies

http://www.economywatch.com/companies/petroleum-companies.html

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Background of Petroleum Industry

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http://www.indiaenergyportal.org/

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http://gail.nic.in/energyzone/industry.pdf

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