Compliance with Locational and Fire Safety Regulations Among Petroleum Filling Stations in Residential Areas of Port Harcourt

Momoh Joyce; Nimame Preye Kingsley Ogboeli Goodluck Prince

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no9.2026.pg166.180

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Compliance with Locational and Fire Safety Regulations Among Petroleum Filling Stations in Residential Areas of Port Harcourt

Momoh Joyce, Nimame Preye Kingsley Ogboeli Goodluck Prince

Abstract

Petroleum filling stations are essential urban facilities but may pose fire and explosion risks when located near residential areas and when safety requirements are inadequately implemented. This study assessed compliance with locational and fire-safety regulations among petroleum filling stations in residential areas of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. Thirty-four petroleum filling stations within or near residential areas were assessed using structured observational and compliance checklists. Locational compliance was evaluated using setback and separation requirements, while fire-safety compliance was assessed using 17 indicators covering firefighting equipment, emergency facilities, accessibility, condition, functionality and operational practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi- square and Spearman’s correlation at a 5% significance level. All 34 (100%) stations failed to meet the 50 m minimum setback from residential buildings, with distances ranging from 13.01 to 43.02 m. Only 29.4% complied with the 150 m sensitive-land-use setback and 400 m inter-station separation requirements, while 67.6% shared direct boundaries with residential properties. Overall locational compliance was 24.3%. Fire-safety compliance was higher, with a mean score of 12.29/17 (72.3%); 50.0% of stations had high compliance, 38.2% moderate and 11.8% low compliance. However, deficiencies occurred in equipment accessibility, condition, functionality and operational safety practices. Station ownership, years of operation, number of dispensers, underground storage tanks and presence of a safety officer were not significantly associated with compliance (p > 0.05). Locational and fire-safety compliance were not significantly correlated (ρ = 0.063, p = 0.722). The study concludes that substantial locational deficiencies persist despite comparatively higher fire-safety compliance. Stronger enforcement, monitoring, maintenance and integration of petroleum-facility planning with urban land-use control are recommended to reduce potential fire and explosion risks in residential areas.

Keywords

Petroleum filling stationslocational compliancefire safety regulationsregulatory complianceresidential areasfire hazardssafety standardspetroleum facilitiesemergency preparedness.

References

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Compliance with Locational and Fire Safety Regulations Among Petroleum Filling Stations in Residential Areas of Port Harcourt

Abstract

Keywords

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