The recent incident of Fire Precautions at office Building is a matter of big concern for all of us. This fire originated during holiday when there was no one in the office and most importantly the in house fire fighting equipment didn’t work. Please bear in mind that this is the Bengali month of Falgun, and Chiatra will follow and both the month will accompany dry season. As the heat churns up from mid day onwards, any accidental ignition from any source might erupt havoc, which may God forbid. …
While during day time, factories are populated by workers and staff and any outbreak of fire can be settled by taking appropriate action by the in house Fire Fighting Party. The concern remains during the night time and holidays when the factory remains closed and with the exception of a few security staff no one remains around. If during that time if any fire originates due to Short Circuit or any other source – what would be the drill to combat fire during that situation? In view of the same please ensure the following:
All security guards must be assigned with particular given fire extinguisher. And he must know how to use it.
All security men must know ‘by heart’ the number of nearest fire brigade. The same must be posted in the sentry post.
The moment they observe smoke/fire they must instantly inform the Factory Management, whose phone numbers are to be posted in the sentry post and the guards must also know and remember.
All fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, auto sprinklers, smoke detectors and other affiliated fire fighting aids must be kept ready and functional at all times. If during any inspection any fire fighting aid is found to be in an inoperative state – strict disciplinary steps are to be taken against the individual. Ensure that fire hydrants jets out water with sufficient force.
Ensure that there is no loose wire or dangerously exposed electrical leaks anywhere in the factory. If found take immediate repair measure. If necessary talk directly with the undersigned.
Enhance awareness on fire hazard among all rank and file of the factory.
Cleanliness in and around the factory building has to be ensured. There should not be any small pieces of garments or papers littered around.
A small laminated card may be issued to them with phone numbers of Fire Precautions Brigade and management staff.
All security men must be strictly cautioned not to smoke in the factory. Drastic action must be taken if anybody is seen doing so.
Please ensure that sufficient number of fire fighting equipments is kept readily available at the disposal of security elements so that they can react with effective response.
Please carry out fire fighting drill at the earliest with the security men under the scenario of a fire originated when the factory is closed.
How to prevent Fires from starting in the first place
Try to extinguish by using of nearest fire fighting equipment (Fire extinguisher Water, Sand and other fire equipment)
Switch off Floor electric main switch.
Inform others (shout fire, fire)
Strike gong bell, Raise fire alarm, Fire Precautions.
Storage Flammable and Explosive
Materials
To ensure safe storage of flammable and explosive materials in compliance with applicable statutory requirements.
Store provide with suitable doors, windows etc.
Enter description of flammable store (where applicable)
Store neat, tidy and clean.
Store regularly inspected by Safety Rep. (where applicable)
Bonding used when decanting
Bonding leads provided and Works Notice posted ( where applicable)
Alternatively:
Less than 50 Liters of class 1 flammable (thinners) kept on the premises.
Flammable store not required.
Containers stored in steel cabinet.
Emergency Action Plan
General Instruction to all Staff
In the event of Fire
Operate Nearest Fire Alarm
Use appropriate Fire Equipment
Shut of Machines
Call Fire Brigade
Evacuate Premises to Assembly Points
Special Instruction for Oxygen & DA Plants
In the Even of Fire
For
Oxygen Plant
Operate Fire Precautions Alarm
Shut off compressors
Stop Expansion Engine
Use appropriate Fire Fighting Equipment to fight fire if safe
Call Fire Brigade.
Evacuate Premises to Assembly Points For DA Plant
Operate Nitrogen Valve
Shut of power by Emergency Valve
Operate nearest fire Alarm
Fight Fire if it is safe.
Call Fire Precautions Brigade.
Evacuate Premises to Assembly Points
Fire Fighting Drill and Instruction
Objective:To
ensure prompt, competent response to a fire situation, to minimize effects of a
fire.Fire Teams adequate to risk.Sufficient fire teams designated in writing and teams displayed in
area.Teams available on all shifts.Adequate teams to be established to over all shifts, overtime, leave
etc.
Fire Drills-minimum twice per yearFire drills to be conducted every 3 months using fire equipment.(Records to kept.)Evacuation drill.General evacuation to be conducted every six months.Effectiveness of drills evaluated by site safety manager after each exercise.( keep reports on file )
Some one in each department other than Fire Precautions team trained. Other employees (other than fire teams) trained in the use of fire equipment. (Records to be kept of participants and type of training done. )
FOOTWEAR
Objective:To
ensure that the correct protective footwear is provided to prevent injuries.
Procedure:To
carry out a study and declare hazardous areas where it is necessary to use
protective footwear.
To
issue correct type of protective footwear for the type of job. Safety Representative to check if worn of Fire Precautions
Labeling: will ensure Fire Detection within 6 months …We have shown to you our latest labeling, MSDS & APEO free certificate. But it is not fulfill your requirement. So we talked to chemical supplier. They took six months time from us to develop their system.
MSDS: will ensure within 6 months
Chemical Certificate: will ensure within 6 months
Chemical Monitoring Sheet: will ensure within 6 months We have already submitted the sheet without filling the “Cas No.” In our MSDS we couldn’t find any cas no.We talked to chemical supplier about the cas no. and they will provide the cas no. to us within 06 months.
EHS Self-Assessment: will ensure within 6 months for After successfully ETP & chemical related issues then we have completed the EHS Self Assessment
Water Production Data: will ensure within 6 months for Due to Some technical problems of water pipe lines it will take time to install flow water in the production unit. That’s why we are unable to fill up the water production data accurately.
Water Flow Meter Installation (1. Inlet of whole premises/factory 2. Inlet of washing/ dyeing /printing 3. Outlet of ETP) : will ensure within 6 months for
Due to some technical problems of water pipe lines it will take time to install flow water in the
Whole premises (Inlet). Washing (Inlet).
Rest of Construction: 04 Months,
Machineries Installation: 01 Month,
Commission’s & test Run: 01
Waste water test Report of ETP Inlet & outlet: will ensure within 6 months for
After Successfully operation of ETP, we can collect the test Report of waste water.
Fire:
What has been your main learning from the day?
We learned details of Fire Safety Management System & its advantage.
What do you think is your way forward after the meeting?
This meeting provides us a massage how to improve our present fire safety position and need to follow up fire necessary check list related to fire safety issue regularly.
Do you think there is a need for regular assessment of fire and electrical? If yes, how do you think this would help you to improve?
Yes.
Schedule maintenance of Fire Detection Equipment will make us know the condition of fire fighting equipment.
Schedule maintenance of electrical system will make us free from Risk of fire.
Do you know who to turn to in case of the above assessments?
Firstly fire safety officer will lead the team in association with compliance & maintenance department.
Do you follow management system for checking the fire safety? What is the score of MS on 27 S?
Yes. Properly & our MS score is 19 on 27.
Mainly there are two types of Fire Detection Equipment:
Fixed Fire fighting equipment:
Hose pipe/Hose reels, Fire pump. Fire alarm,Exit sign. PA system. Emergency light.
Portable Fire Detection Equipment:
Fire extinguisher, Fire blankets, Gas mask, Water buckets, Fire beater, Fire hook, Stretcher, Helmet. Gum boot, Torch light, Menila rope, Hand gloves and Lock cutter.
Fire Extinguisher:
DCP (Dry chemical powder )Fire Extinguisher 2) CO2 Gas (C arbon di-oxide ) Fire extinguisher 3) Foam type Fire extinguisher 4) Water type fire extinguisher.
USE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Always use suitable extinguisher
DCP fire extinguisher – Use at A,B,C & E types fire
CO2 fire extinguisher – Use at E types fire.
FOAM type fire extinguisher – Use at B types fire
WATER type fire extinguisher – Use at A & D types fire
Local Supplier : Symantec Technology Ltd
Supplier address : 20/5, West Panthapath, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
Fire Hydrant System -Auto requires Vendors to provide their employees with safe, clean, and healthy conditions throughout all work facilities, including clearly marked and passable aisles; easily identified, accessible and unblocked fire exits; adequate medical facilities, adequately lighted and ventilated production areas; clean restrooms; potable water; reasonable opportunities for rest breaks during the workday; and well maintained machinery. Fire exits must be clearly marked and unlocked during working hours. …
Proper Drawing means of shop drawing all details with section wise:
When engineering controls cannot eliminate or significantly minimize a hazard in a way that poses little to no threat of injury to employees, vendors shall provide all affected persons with the appropriate personal protective equipment or clothing, and require its proper use. Piping Drawing / pipe Line drawing.
Legend of all equipment and fit-up details.
Each joint fit-up details.
All local laws and regulations shall be complied with.. Elevation details.
Each elbow & T-joint detail drawing.
Pipe Support drawing details.
Safe working Load of a pipe Support.
Safe working Load of a royal bolt (which has provided)
Written welding procedure with detail for proper clarification.
Bevel Cutting details.
How many pass / layer to be made for the welding?
Details of root gap, penetration details and confirmation of welding.
Standard of the welding?
Welding joint inspection :
Such as UT / MT or at least MPI (Magnetic Particle inspection )
Welding Joint certificates are required prior to Hydro test.
Graph record required for hydro test / static.
Clear hydrostatic procedure should be submitted before test start.
Certificates are to be submitted with joint numbers for future plan.
All catalogs & User manual of valves, elbow, to be submitted with the materials for actual reference and prove of capacity.
Smoke Detection System:
Proper Drawing means of shop drawing all details with section wise.
Capacity of each devices with catalogs.
Catalog of control panel, User manual of Fire Hydrant System
Fire door:
Proper Drawing means of shop drawing all details with section wise.
Written Details of the fire rated door capacity, such as maximum temperature (Celsius / Fahrenheit) capacity.
Conclusion
Fire Hydrant System -Vendors shall identify all sources of hazardous materials in the workplace and prevent or sufficiently limit employee exposure. Vendors must adhere to all applicable laws and regulations regarding exposure to hazardous materials.
The purpose of this fire alarm maintenance is to serve as a guide for Consultants and Contractors to document the Testing of the newly installed Fire Alarm & Detection System. This will provide a systematic flow of information that confirms whether the installed fire and life safety systems function according to the intended design criteria set forth in the mechanical drawings and also satisfy the factory’s operational needs, including compliance requirements of applicable laws, regulations, codes and standards requiring fire and life safety systems. The objectives include: …
The Management has given importance of Health and Safety Management System maintenance in SA 8000 Standards. Verification of proper functioning of the equipment/ system after installation.
Ensuring that the performance of the installed equipment matches the design.
Document/ record performance data of the new system.
Verification of Mechanical Drawings against Actual Installation.
So, fire alarm and fire detecting system should be checked and installed if necessary.Verify 3rd Party certification of required Fire Alarm & Detection System equipment.
Appoint in writing and in duplicate each safety representative outlining in detail their areas of responsibility. One copy of appointment will be for the representative and the other will be field in the Safety File of the Site Safety Coordinator.
The appointment letters must spell the duties and responsibilities.
The appointments to be signed in acceptance.
Performance of Safety Representatives to be reviewed at least once a year and if needed person appointed may be changed for better effectiveness.
The Safety Representatives will carry out monthly inspections and submit reports to the Site Safety Coordinator which should be discussed at the Safety Meetings.
The Safety Representative will ensure that all the elements of the Safety Programme(Site Safety Policy) are fully followed and necessary records are kept.
The Safety Representatives will attend Safety Courses as deemed applicable and when available.
The management of the factory has already installed new equipments for the fire alarm and fire detecting system instead of old equipments. To aid the Testing & Commissioning Procedure, the factory shall prepare and present documents and abide by the requirements during the day of T&C as described below:
Final Testing & Commissioning Report (by Contractor).
Third Party Certificates of all relevant equipment.
Accord reviewed mechanical drawings of installed system.
Health, Safety and Security issues should be handled uncompromisingly according to the discussion.. As-built drawings.
The contractor and at least two factory personnel with technical expertise shall be present during the date of T&C along with all testing equipment and other necessary tools.
General Questionably
The Chairman & CEO of SQ Group presided over the meeting. A threadbare discussion was held on fixed agenda and the following decisions were taken:
Are Design Drawings Approved by Accord?
Do As-built drawings match the Installation?
Are 3rd Party certifications present for installed equipment?
Check Fire Alarm Control Panel:
Fire Alarm and Fire Detecting System of old building was found out of order.Is the fire control room sufficiently fire separated?
Is the panel located in a room where 24-hr monitoring is possible?
Are there repeater panels?
Locations of repeater panels?
Is it provided with a consistent primary power source?
Should the primary source fail, is there a secondary power source provided for the panel?
Is the secondary source (Battery) as per the sizing calculations?
Are batteries marked with Month and Year of manufacture as per NFPA 72?
Is the panel properly grounded/ earthed after Fire Alarm Maintenance ?
Is the electrical circuitry mechanically protected and marked properly (i.e. Breaker lock)?
The Management Representative,Ali, apprised the meeting that all the decisions of 3rd Management Review Meeting have been implemented. Are device location and zone maps / Schematic Diagrams provided at or beside the fire alarm control panel and remote annunciator as per NFPA72?
Is the fire alarm cable 3rd party certified?
Is Emergency lighting with battery backup present at FACP room?
Check Interfacing Module:
Are the modules 3rd Party Certified?
Is the Factory’s HVAC system interfaced with the FACP?
Are the fire doors interfaced with the FACP?
Are lifts/ elevators interfaced with the FACP?
Is the fire pump interfaced with the FACP?
For maintaining a healthy working environment the Plant Manager, Manager, Admin & Personnel will monitor regarding this issue. Is the sprinkler zone control valve interfaced with the FACP for Fire Alarm Maintenance ?
To use all communication channels to promote safety awareness and to facilitate participation and involvement in the identification and resolution of Safety Hazards. Supervisors and Safety Representatives to run through Safety and Working Procedures with shop floor Workers at the workplace.
Training to be given in accordance with the Safety Training Manuals. Safety Department to develop quality circle concept.
