Fire Safety & Prevention

Praveen Kumar Duggal

Principal Consultant (EHS)
Prevention Is Better Than Cure 1
Section-38 of Factories Act,1948
Precautions in case of fire :-
 1. In every factory, all practicable measures shall be
taken to prevent out break of fire and its spread,
both internally and externally, and to provide and
maintain
a) Safe means of escape for all persons in the event of
fire.
b) Necessary equipment's and facilities for
extinguishing fire .

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 2

Section-38 of Factories Act,1948
 2. Effective measures shall be taken to ensure that in
every factory all the workers are familiar with the
means of escape in case of fire and have been
adequately trained in routine to be followed in such
cases.
 3. The State Government may make Rules, in respect
of any factory or class or description of factories,
requiring the measures to be adopted to give effect to
the provisions of sub section(1) and (2)

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 3

Section-38 of Factories Act,1948
 4. Not withstanding any contained in clause(a) of sub –
section(1)or sub-section(2), if
 The Chief Inspector having regards to the nature of work
carried out in any factory, construction of such factory,
special risk to life or safety, or any circumstances, is of the
opinion that the measures provided in the factory,
 Wheather as prescribed or not, for the purpose of clause(a)
of sub-section (1) or subsection(2),are inadequate, he may,
by order in writing ,require that such additional measures
as he may consider reasonable and necessary, be provided
in the factory before such date as is specified in order.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 4

Do You Know How many People are Killed in Fire?

Fireworks/Cr
ackers

Other Fire
Short-Circuit
Accidents

Fire

Gas
Fire-Arms Cylinder/Sto
ve Burst

5 Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Did You Know How many People Killed in Fire?

Fireworks/Cra
ckers 505

Other Fire
Short-Circuit
Accidents
1439
17591
Fire
23281

Gas
Fire-Arms 1217 Cylinder/Stov
e Burst 3746

6 Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Fire is
our
enemy
!!!!!!!!!
Prevention Is Better Than Cure 7
Definition of Fire

Chemical reaction which

produce Heat and Light

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 8

Theory of Combustions

Fuel (Substance)

Oxygen Heat
Prevention
Is

Better

9 Than Cure
Theory of Combustions

SOLID

FUEL (SUBSTANCES)

GAS / VAPOURS LIQUID Preventio

n Is

Better

Than
10 Cure
SOLID
Metals

Nanomaterials Minerals

SOLID

Organic solids
Composite
materials (Wood /
Polymers) Prevention Is

Better

11 Than Cure
LIQUIDS
Acetone

Kerosene Fuel Oil

House
Hold
cleaning Liquids Cooking
Oil
Liquids

Paint /
Alcohol Solvent

Gasoline
Prevention Is

Better

12 Than Cure
GASES

Hydrogen

LNG /
Butane
LPG

Propane Gases Methane

Ammonia Ethylene

Acetylene Prevention
Is

Better

13 Than Cure
SOURCES OF HEATS

HEAT

Prevention Is

Better

14 Than Cure
 HEAT TRANSFERS

Prevention Is

Better

ThanCure

15
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE

Class A

Class E ? Class B

Classific
ation

Class D Class C Prevention

Is

Better

16 Than Cure
Classification of Fire

Fires are classified according to the types of objects being burned

Class A – ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber or
certain types of plastic
Class B – flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint
thinners etc
Class C – flammable gases propane, butane, hydrogen etc
Class D – certain combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium,
potassium or sodium.
Class E – energized electrical equipment such as appliances, switches
or power tools

17
THEORY OF EXINGUISHMENT

STARVATION

KILL FIRE Pre

ven
tio
n Is

COOLING SMOOTHERING Bet

ter

Th
an
Cur
18 e
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Classification of Fire
Extinguishers Class A

Class E ? Class B

Classific
ation

Class D Class C
Prevention Is

Better

20 Than Cure
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Pre
ven
tio
n Is

Bet
ter

Th
an
Cur
e
21
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

22
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
P
r
e
v
e
n
t
i
o
n
I
s

B
e
t
t
e
r

T
h
a
n
C
u
r
e
23
Fire Prevention Goal
Life Safety
 The primary goal of fire safety efforts is to protect
building occupants from injury and to prevent loss
of life.
Property Protection
 The secondary goal of fire safety is to prevent
property damage.
Protection of Operations
 By preventing fires and limiting damage we can
assure that work operations will continue.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 24

Housekeeping
 Good housekeeping habits are an important
part of a safe workplace.

 Why is good housekeeping important?

 To reduce amounts of flammable and combustible materials.
 To reduce ignition hazards.
 To ensure safe emergency evacuation of occupants.
 To allow for quick emergency response.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 25

General Housekeeping Guidelines
 Work areas, aisles, walkways, stairways, and
equipment should be kept clear of loose materials,
trash, scraps, etc.
 Never block aisles, fire exits, emergency equipment,
or alarm pull stations with equipment or materials.
 Avoid build up of combustible trash and waste such
as paper, wood, cardboard, etc.
 Keep use and storage of flammables and
combustibles to a minimum.
 Clean up all spills such as grease, oil, or water
immediately. A delay could result in accidents.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 26

Storage Guidelines

 No storage is allowed in corridors

and stairwells. A cluttered
hallway could slow down
emergency evacuation.
 Storage must not exceed a plane
of 18 inches below sprinkler
heads or smoke detectors.
Storage that breaks this plane
may prevent sprinkler heads
from fully covering room during
a fire.
A simulated example of how storage
can protrude into 18 inch plane below
sprinkler heads.

NOTE
Storage guidelines are applicable to all locations within buildings and are not limited to storage rooms.
This includes stored materials in offices, labs, etc.
Storage Guidelines
 Maintain at least a 3ft clearance from
 All storage must heating surfaces, air ducts, heaters, and
be at least 3 ft. lighting fixtures.
from electrical  Storage of combustible materials in
panels. In some mechanical rooms is prohibited.
emergency
situations it will be
necessary to
access these Improper Mechanical
Improper Storage in front Room Storage
panels quickly.
of Electrical Panel

28

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Flammable and Combustible liquids

 Flammable and combustible liquids are potential fuel

sources for fires and are present in almost every
workplace.

 It is actually the vapor created by flammable and

combustible liquids that ignites and burns.

 It is important to understand what materials in your

work area are flammable and combustible so that you
may properly store and isolate them from ignition
sources.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 29

How do I tell what’s flammable?
 NFPA classification system (National Fire Protection
Association)
 The NFPA diamond is an easy way to determine the safety risks
associated with hazardous materials. To determine a materials
flammability refer to the red section of the diamond. A number in
this section will indicate the flammability rating of the material.
 The following numbering system is used to indicate
flammability
0- will not burn
1- must be preheated to burn
2-ignites when moderately heated
3-ignites at normal temperature
4-extremely flammable
For example, An NFPA diamond on a can of gasoline
would have a 3 in the red section indicating that
gasoline could ignite at normal working NFPA Diamond
temperatures.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 30

 Fire Safety - Electrical Issues

 Electrical hazards are the cause of

numerous workplace fires each
year. Faulty electrical equipment or
misuse of equipment produces heat
and sparks that serve as ignition
sources in the presence of
flammable and combustible
materials.
 Examples of common ignition
hazards:
 overloading circuits
 use of unapproved electrical devices
 damaged or worn wiring

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 31

Electrical Fire Safety

Extension cords
 Extension cords are only approved for temporary
use. They may only be used for a period of three
days or less. Instead of using extension cords
contact FP&M to install permanent wiring.
 When using extension cords check for defaults
such as frays, brittleness, or broken wires.
 Never place extension cords in high traffic areas
where they can be damaged by being stepped on
or run over by equipment.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 32

Electrical Fire Safety

Multi-plug strips
 Should only be used for office equipment such as computers,
printers, and fax machines.
 Other common items such as microwaves, refrigerators, and
copy machines must be plugged directly into wall outlets.
This is a requirement of the State Fire Marshal.
 Multi-plug strips should have a fuse or circuit breaker and be
UL approved.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 33

Electrical Fire Safety

 Avoid the following  Never daisy chain or

piggy back multi-plug
improper and strips and electrical
hazardous practices: cords (plugging strips
and cords into each
 Never use three prong other).
adapters that allow a three
pronged plug to plug into a
two prong outlet.
 Never use any item with a
damaged or frayed
electrical cord.
 Space Heaters are not
allowed in campus
buildings.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Piggy-backed multi-plug strips

34
What’s A Fire Door ?
 Fire doors are designed to withstand fire,
heat and smoke for a period of 20-
minutes to 3 hours.
 Did you know that corridor office doors
are fire doors and should have a 20
minute rating?
 Corridor laboratory doors should have a
60 minute rating.
 Fire Doors are required to:
 Be Self Closing: fire doors
should have a door closure that
pulls doors completely shut after
the door has been opened
 Have Positive latching: a positive
latch locks a door in place so can
open swing open freely.
 Office safety tips
General electrical safety reminders

 Avoid overloading outlets

 Always match plugs and outlets, making
sure to never force a three-prong plug into a
two-prong outlet
 Check for worn or frayed cords and have
them replaced immediately
 Never place cords near heat or water
 Never use electrical equipment when your
hands or the equipment is wet
 Report any potential electrical problems

36
Reasons Not to Wedge Open Fire Doors
1 For the safety of your buildings occupants.
 If a fire occurs in a location where the fire door has been wedged, smoke
and heat will travel freely into exit corridors hindering or preventing
occupant evacuation.
2 It’s State Law
 Periodically Iaw’s State Fire Marshal inspects our campus and issues
numerous citations for wedging or blocking open doors.
3 To reduce or prevent damage to property, research, personal
belongings, etc.
- Keeping your door shut will keep out smoke or fire originating in other
locations.
4 To hold open your door you may have an electro-magnetic
device installed.
- This device releases a fire door upon activation of the fire alarm

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 37

Maintaining Fire Barriers
 Fire doors need occasional maintenance and repairs
to function properly and should be periodically
checked. To test a fire door:
 Open the door fully and allow it to swing shut.
 The door should close and latch completely by itself. Give the door
a push after it closes to ensure that the latch has engaged.
 If the door is not operating properly contact FP&M for repairs.

 Ceiling, Floor, Wall Penetrations

 All areas should be properly sealed to prevent the escape of fire,
heat and smoke.
 Common penetrations include holes in walls, around ducts, pipes,
etc. These types of penetrations should be sealed with appropriate
fire-stopping material.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 38

Points To Remember
 Housekeeping Issues
 Keep your worksite clean and free of trash and
debris.
 Follow proper storage guidelines.
 Flammable and Combustible Liquids
 Use and store the minimum amounts necessary.
 Follow correct storage guidelines.
 Electrical Fire Hazards
 Don’t use unapproved electrical devices.
 Avoid improper uses of multi-plugs.
 Compartmentalization
 Maintain compartmentalization systems.
 Don’t wedge or block open doors.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure 39

What Is an Exit Route?
 Continuous and unobstructed way of
exit travel from any point in a building
or structure to a public way

 Three parts to the exit route:

 Access to the exit
 The exit
 The way of exit discharge
Unobstructed Access

 Maintain exit routes

free of obstructions
 Exit route cannot require
travel to a
dead end
 Exit route cannot go
through a room that
might be locked
Minimize Exposure to Hazards
 No explosive or
flammable items
 No materials that burn
quickly
 No materials that emit
poisonous fumes when
burned
 No hazardous materials
in or near access ways
 Clearly Mark All Exits

 Clearly visible sign

reading “EXIT”
 Exit sign in distinctive
color
 Signs indicating
direction to nearest exit
 No obstructions
or decorations
Provide Adequate Lighting

 Exit routes must be illuminated

 Exit signs must be illuminated
 Check self-lighting signs regularly
 Non-self-lighting signs must be
made of reflective material
 Keep brightly lit objects away from
the exit sign
Doors Must Open Readily

 Doors open readily and easily from the

inside
 No keys, tools, or special knowledge
required to open
 Emergency alarm device must not restrict
opening the door
 Exit Route Leads Outside
 Directly outside to a street or walkway
 Last exit door must lead to an open space
with access to the outside
 Clearly show how to leave the building
 Paths barricaded along exit route that
lead elsewhere
 Direct employees to safety once outside
 Emergency Action Plan
 Escape routes
 Alarm systems
 Evacuation procedures
 Training
 Procedures for fire,
natural disaster, and
other emergencies
Alarm Systems

 Distinctive signal that warns

employees of emergencies
 Noticeable above surrounding noise
and lights
 Alarm seen/heard in entire facility
 Manual actuation devices
 Backup alarm systems
 Test Alarm Systems

 At least every 2
months
 Annually for monitored
systems
 Ensure reliability
 Ensure adequacy
Emergency Numbers
 Post near phones
 Post on employee
notification boards
 Post in supervisors’
offices
 Include fire, police,
hospital
 Include emergency
response personnel
Evacuation Assignments

 Evacuation coordinators
 Head count
 First aid and CPR
 Equipment shutdown
 Fire responders
 Evacuation of employees
who need assistance
Employee Training

 Location of evacuation
routes
 Alarm signals
 Assembly areas
 Evacuation
assignments
 Drills
Fire Safety Inspection

54
Sincere Thanks for Patience Listening

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