Housekeeping

• Clean the equipment, work area, and surroundings regularly
• Remove all combustible waste (e.g. packing material, cotton waste, oily rags, etc.) into metal bins with lids
• Do not store raw / finished goods in aisles, stairs and other common passages & escape routes. Otherwise, fire escape may be hampered. Further, accidental mixing with materials of other SSI units in the building may create fire risk.
• Do not store combustible material in ducts, false ceilings, clearances between stacks / buildings.
• Designate & mark ‘No Smoking’ areas (e.g. Btores, workplaces having combustible / flammable substances)
• Arrange proper receptacles (with sand/water) for discarding used smoking material and match sticks.

Flammables

• Store flammable liquids in ventilated places away or segregated from ignition sources
• Secure gas cylinders upright. Put safety cap when not in use
• Use safety cans with tight, self-closing lid for carrying low flash point liquids
• Before transferring from one container to another, ensure bonding (connecting containers by a wire) and grounding (connecting to earth) to avoid static-arcing.
• Keep smaller containers (like carboys) in metal trays to prevent spread of possible leakage
• For tapping/ sampling from drums, keep drip trays to contain spread of spillage/leakage from taps
• Transfer liquids by stirrup pump (hand pump) or siphoning, never by pouring
• Mop up spillage by sand or chalk, not by saw dust

Welding & Cutting

• Remove all combustible material around the place of welding or cover them with fire resistant blankets.
• Keep a fire extinguisher at the location
• Check for damaged hoses / cables
• Always earth the job & welding equipment
• Always turn off the gas / electric supply when not in use
• Purge the pipelines or containers before starting hot work
• Have control on contractor’s work, preferably through work permit system Electrical Equipment
• Don’t overload the circuits.
• Avoid temporary electrical connection. Permit no taped joints in flexible cables
• Tighten electrical terminations in switch boards, electrical motors, vibrating equipment, etc. regularly
• Turn off the mains when equipment is not in use and in silent hours
• Allow a clearance of at least 1m between the material stack and overhead electrical fittings
• Periodically check insulation resistance of wiring and earth resistance Control current leakage with RCCBS (Residual Current operated Circuit Breakers) in main & sub-circuits
• Use right size cable glands and shield unused openings of MCB/DB enclosures/ Panels
• Employ licensed electricians for installation, repair and maintenance

Fire Separation

• Familiarize with fire hazards of adjoining SSI units in the same building
• Seal all openings (for cables, pipes, etc.) in the partition walls within the unit and in boundary walls, ceilings and floors with other units
• False ceiling areas should not connect with adjoing units

Means of Excape

• Always ensure that occupants can safely escape in fire emergency. Never block the escape routes or lock the exits when people are inside
• Prominently mark the fire exits
• Lifts should not be used in case of fire

Fire Protection

• Portable fire extinguishers should be provided as per IS 2190-1992
• Maintain the extinguishers in good condition
• Fire hydrants / hose reels are recommended. In ‘galas’ these could be common facility
• Have mutual aid arrangements with neighbouring units for fire fighting. This will be effective and economical

Fire Emergency In the event of fire, employees should be able to-

• Notify someone else, and activate fire alarm, if any
• Call local fire brigade giving essential information (what is on fire, name & address of factory, directions to reach, etc.)
• Locate fire extinguishers / hose reel and operate them
• Help any affected person to person to reach safer place
• Evacuate and go to the assembly point for head count

Remember – Don’t give fire a place to start