Module 2 – Fire Safety

Some of the major fire accidents in India

February 2013 -Kolkata
A major fire broke out at a multi-storey market complex in Kolkata in which at least 19
people were killed and over a dozen critically injured.
September 2012 -Tamil Nadu
A catastrophic explosion in a private fireworks factory at Mudalipatti near Sivakasi in Tamil
Nadu claimed lives of 54 while 78 were injured.
Uphaar Cinema Fire 1997 -Delhi
The Uphaar Cinema fire, occurred on June 13, 1997 at at Uphaar Cinema near Green Park
in Delhi. It was the one of the worst fire tragedies in recent Indian history, killing 59
people and 103 were seriously injured.
December 2011 -Kolkata
In the AMRI hospital of Kolkata 89 people were killed by a hazardous fire and due to
suffocation caused by carbon monoxidespread across the hospital premises.
September 2005 –Bihar
Three illegal firecracker factories in the Khusropur village of Bihar caught fire leading to
deaths of 35 people and left 50 injured in September, 2005.
 Some of the major fire accidents in India
April 2006 – Meerut
In Brand India Fair at Meerut Victoria Park fire Uttar Pradesh, a major fire broke out
and killed 100 people on April 2006.
July 2004 -Tamil Nadu
In the Sri Krishna Aided Higher Secondary School at Kumbakonam in the
Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu 94 children were dead and many injured.Erwadi
fire incident was another worst fire incident in Tamil Nadu.
June 2002 –Agra
In the Shree Lee International footwear factory of Agra, Uttar Pradesh fire broke out
and 42 people were killed on June 26.
February 1997 –Odisha
In a religious congregation at Baripada Odisha, A calamitous fire broke out in which
206 people were dead and 148 were injured.
December 1995 –Haryana
The worst of fire incident in the county, Dabwali fire accident occurred on 23
December 1995 at Mandi Dabwali in Haryana. 540 people were killed due to fire
caused by an electric generator short-circuited and the stampede.
Fire Safety Introduction
• Fires and outbursts in Generating stations, substations and other Plants are not
uncommon
• Large scale destruction to life as well as property is caused by fires and explosions
if oil fields, petroleum industries and other industries like buildings, restaurants,
trains, godowns, fire cracker etc.
• Fire causes deaths not only due to flames but also due to poisonous gases of
burning of materials
• Smoke and fire also can travel through various ducts which increases the effect of
fire to other buildings and floors.
• Fire accidents can be minimised by proper scientific approach during Design,
construction and operation stages.
• Danger to life due to fire to persons is given higher weightage than damage to the
property under the principles of safety management.
Fire safety – Management’s Responsibilities
• Designing the plant/building for safe escape of personnel in case of a fire
• Minimum spread of smoke and fire. Provision of Portable fire extinguishers as first
line of offence and fire and fixed automatic fire fighting systems as second line of
offence
• Fire fighting and minimising loss to life and property in the event of a fire.
• Safety of personnel from fire and poisonous gases and smoke
• Minimising spread of fire and smoke and poisonous gases
• Emergency operations as per the Emergency plan with clearly defined roles and
responsibilities of various personnel and providing first aid facilities.
• Issue of safety documentation to all employees
• Providing fire fighting systems
• Safety Organisation, awareness and Training of employees
• Precautions against fires, house keeping and monitoring.
Fire safety – Terms and definitions
• Fire – Active rapid burning and oxidation process accompanied by heat, light and
poisonous gases/smoke/CO2 due to combustion. Flame is the luminous hot zone of
the fire.
• Class of fire – Classification of fire ( A,B,C,D & E) based on the combustion material
involved.
• Extinction of fire – Putting off the fire by removal of either combustible material or
air or heat or chain reaction.
• Fire fighting – The action of putting off the fire
• Ignite – To initiate fire/ to begin fire/catching of fire
• Ignition – Beginning of fire
• Ignition temperature – Temperature at which combustible material ignite
• Self or spontaneous Ignition – Ignition without the application of external
flame/ignitor
• Flash point – The temperature at which the combustible material vaporises resulting
in formation of vapour clouds that ignites if external ignition is provided
Fire safety – Terms and definitions
• Explosion – Bursting accompanied by loud noise and destruction and release of
solid/liquid/gaseous products. Explosion is caused by sudden release of energy
and rise of internal pressure in the equipment or at the location. Class B fires in
inflammable liquids within containers result in increased internal pressure and
bursting. Explosions are possible due to internal arcing in gas filled/oil filled
equipments.
• Fire prevention – Prevent the occurrence of fire by prior actions/precautions and
provisions. Removable of combustible materials, good house keeping, installing
oil less equipment etc. and good maintenance of equipments.
Fire safety – Fire triangle
Fire is started/ignited/begin at a hot spot and
spreads along the combustible material to
neighbouring area subject to availability of
1. Combustible material
2. Air (oxygen)
3. Heat and local temperature rise.
All the three above must be present for fire to be
initiated and continue
Various materials differ in their ignition
temperatures and fire characteristics
Fire safety – Causes initiation of fire
(Combination of following in presence of Air (Oxygen)
• Source of heat • Flammable materials
• Electric sparks, arcs, flashovers • Insulating materials
• Electric short circuits • Insulating oils, Lubricating oils
• Overload leading to overheating • Fuels (oils, gases, diesel)
• Loose connections leading to sparks • Cloths, paper, wood, plastics, packing
• Welding sparks, hot metal surfaces materials, covering materials
• Lighting strokes • Cleaning fluids, thinners, paints,
varnishes
• Open flames • Acetylene gas for welding
• Chemical reactions • Conveyor belts and other rubber
• Cigarette butts, lighted matches material
• Discharge of static Electric charges • Chemicals for treatment
• Exhaust gases from furnace /testing/analysis
• Induced currents, discharge currents • Construction material
• Exothermic oxidation of coals • Plastic materials
• Other flammable materials
Fire safety – Classification of fires ( According to US and
European standards
• Class A – Fires involving ordinary solid combustible material of organic nature such
as wood, paper, rubber, plastic, coal, cloth, rags, rubbish, construction and packing
materials etc.
• Class B – Fires involving flammable liquids/vapours/solvents, transformer oils, Diesel
oils, Liquid chemicals, Lubricating oils, paints, varnishes, thinners, greases etc
• Class C - Fires involving live electrical equipment in energised state. If the electrical
equipment is dead then it becomes Class A or Class B
• Class D – Fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium,
Aluminium, zinc, sodium, potassium etc.
• Class E – Fires involving flammable gases under pressure and fuels including
liquefied gases. Examples are Hydrogen, Ammonia, Acetylene, LPG, Petrol, Furnace
oil etc
Fire safety – Triangle of Extinction
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing methods
• Fire Extinguishing aims at rapidly removing one, two or all the three of essentials
of fire.
• Cooling is the removal of heat. Temperature of the fire zone and combustion zone
must be reduced below ignition temperature rapidly so that fire does not sustain.
Rate of cooling must be higher than the rate of heat generated by combustion.
Water is the most commonly used coolant for class A fires. Ventilation helps in
cooling and fire extinction by release of heat to atmosphere,
• Smothering(Blanketing) is suffocating the fire by externally covering it completely
by a dense extinguishing medium like CO2, Foam, Halon, water etc. Smothering
of fire aims at Oxygen starvation.
• Starvation is stopping or removal of combustible material and filling with dry
nitrogen gas
• Breaking of chain of fire – fire continues in the form of chain reaction. Fresh
combustible material receives heat from adjacent burning material and there by
fire continues. Dry chemicals or halogenated hydrocarbons are used for breaking
the chain reaction.
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishers – Factors affecting selection
• The nature of the combustibles which might be ignited
• The potential severity (size, intensity and speed of travel) of the fire
• The effectiveness of the extinguisher on that hazard
• The ease of use of extinguisher
• The availability of the trained personnel to operate, their physical and emotional
reactions
• The ambient temperature conditions and other special atmospheric conditions
(wind, draft, presence of fumes)
• Suitability of the extinguisher for its environment
• Any anticipated chemical reaction between extinguishing agent and burning
material
• The upkeep and maintenance requirements for the extinguisher
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class A fire

• All fires of common solid combustible materials not involving live

electrical equipment are class A Fires. Even fires in dead electrical
equipment are Class A fires
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class A fire
• Cooling Water in the form of fog or dense streams, water
with additives, High expansion foam, ventilation
on upper side of fire, Dry chemicals and inert
gases.
• Smothering Fog, High expansion foam, CO2, multiple dry
chemicals
• Starving Use existing or fire breaks. Move material away
from fire
• Interrupting Dry chemicals, halogenated hydrocarbons
flame chain
reaction
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class B fire
• Fires of flammable liquids and vapour air mixture over flammable liquids
are Class B fires. Even fires in dead electrical equipment involving liquid
combustible material are class B fires.
• Uncontained Class B fires are on freely flowing liquid (Not in container)
• Contained Class B fires are those which are in containers such as tanks,
Equipment Enclosure, Casing etc. Such a fire if continues generates high
internal pressure in the container due to evaporation of oil resulting in
bursting of container. Liquid is quickly drained and the container is filled
with compressed Nitrogen,
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class B fire
• Cooling • Water preferably in fog form to cool exterior surfaces
of tanks, Air agitation, Relatively heavy water spray to
create cooling and smothering emulsion on the
surface of immiscible and viscous liquids,
conventional foams to cool and blanket surface of
liquids, water soluble liquids such as esters and other
organic solvents, water flowed over the surfaces of
heavier liquids
• Smothering • CO2, steam, Flourinated surfactants film forming)
foam compatibale with dry chemicals
• Starving • Shut off supply valves of oil and gas, move exposed
material to a safer area, dilute or remove liquids,
Dilute or remove gas from source of ignition by
blowing off the flames
• Inturrupting fire • Dry chemicals and halogenated hydrocarbon
chain reaction
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class C fire

• Class C fires are fires of solids and liquids involving live Electrical
equipments and circuits. Such fires are dealt to avoid electric shocks
transferable through extinguishing media and metallic parts during fire
fighting. The first step in any electric fire is to switch off main circuit
breakers to fire affected zone and make the equipment dead. This
converts class C fire to Class A or Class B fire. Lighting circuits are not
switched off and emergency lights are switched on. Only power flow to
fire affected equipment is interrupted. Only fixed type fire fighting
systems are installed in generating stations to fight class C fire
automatically.
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class C fire
• First action in • Make circuit/Equipment dead by switching off
case of fire feeding Circuit breaker

• Cooling • CO2 for flammable liquid such as transformer oil,

and for flammable gases such as H2
• Dry powder for wood, paper, textiles, sensitive
switch boards, computers, telephone exchanges,
control room
• Halon for Electrical equipment
• Smothering • CO2 and Halon from safe distance
• Interruption of • Dry chemicals
fire chain
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class D fire
• Fires of certain metals which are flammable under conditions only
are class D fires. The extinguishing agents depends on chemical
properties and size of the combustion metals.
• Alkali metal fires may be extinguished by dry graphite powder, dry
sand, and dry sodium based powder.
• Such fires are not very common in industry.
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishing techniques – Class E fire
• Inflammable gases used in Electric equipment include Hydrogen for
generator cooling, Ammonia for flue gas neutralising and butane for
burner lighting. Fire extinguishing technique is starvation of fire by
cutting of supply of gas by closing the supply valve. Special dry type
chemicals are used for smothering. Special fixed type fire fighting
equipments are provided in generating stations and sub stations for
flammable gas fire fighting. Special fire fighting plants are installed in
high risk zone,
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishers Media
• Fire is extinguished by rapid cooling, oxygen starvation and removable of
combustible materials. The methods and medium used for fire extinguishing
differs with type and class of fire. The most commonly used media are water,
CO2, Foam, Dry chemicals, and halon.
• Water – Most widely extinguishing medium. Water evaporates with heat of fire and
absorbs heat and cools the combustible materials below ignition temperature. Water
layer also gives a smothering effect by preventing air from reaching the combustible
material. Water jets are used for rapid cooling and smothering actions.
• Carbon di oxide – Carbon di oxide is a inert gas which does not support combustion. It is
colourless, odourless, insulating gas and heavier than air. It is excellent for class C fires
(Electirical fire). Not very suitable for Class A fire
• Foam: Foam is produced by chemical reaction between Aluminium sulpahte, Sodium bi
carbonate and water. The product of this reaction is Aluminium hydroxide and sodium
sulphate and CO2. Foam smothers fire by covering the burning surface. Foam is suitable
for flammable solvents, paints, varnishes etc. Foam is not recommended for Electrical
fires (Class C)
Fire Safety – Fire Extinguishers Media
• Dry chemical powder – Usually sodium bi carbonate mixed with some additives (
eg. Sodium bi carbonate 90%, Magnesium sterate 1.5 %, Magnesium carbonate 1
%, Tricalcium Phosphate 1 %). Alternatively Potassium bi carbonate based and
Ammonium phosphate based chemicals are also used. Very effective In Class B, C
and E fires.
• Halon (Halogenated Hydrocarbons – Composed of carbon and halogen (chlorine,
bromine, flourine) and hydrogen in some cases. Halons breakdown the chain
reaction of fire and extinguish fire effectively. Very effective In Class B, C and E
fires. Halons also produces some poisonous compound called Hydrogen flouride
which is a poisonous gas and corrosive and hence to be used from a safe distance
and in open space only. Masks should be used while using halon extinguishers.
Fire Safety – Portable Fire Extinguishers
• 1. Water type: Water expelling fire extinguishers has water as extinguishing agent
which is released in the form of jet or for by means of gas pressure inside. The
pressure may be induced by chemical reaction or by mechanical means. They are
primarily used in class A fires. They are not suitable for water soluble flammable
liquids such as alcohols, acetone, easters, ketones etc
• The various types of water expelling extinguishers are:
• a. Soda Ash type (IS 934 – 1976)
• b. Gas pressure actuated type (IS 940 – 1976)
• c. Constant air pressure type (IS 6234 – 1971)
The soda ash type is the commonly used.
Fire Safety – Portable Fire Extinguishers – water
extinguishers
• Soda ash type
• When the plunger is struck, the acid bottle on the top
ruptures . The sulphuric acid reacts with soda ash present
in the container to release the CO2 gas which creates
internal pressure. This internal pressure forces water
contained in the cylinder to jet out through the nozzle.

• To operate the extinguishers, remove the cap on the top

and strike the plunger against a hard surface like the floor .
Direct the nozzle jet towards the base of fire
Fire Safety – Portable Fire Extinguishers – water
extinguishers
• Gas pressure type water extinguisher
• The extinguisher is similar to soda ash type. However there is a cartridge filled
with CO2 under pressure which forms the inner compartment. When the inner
cartridge is pierced upon CO2 under pressure is release to the body of the
extinguisher driving out water present in the container through discharge tube
• Constant air pressure type water extinguisher
• The constant air pressure type extinguisher is filled with water and dry air is
introduced for air lines till the desired pressure is built up.
The container is sealed . While actuating , safety pin is withdrawn and valve level
is depressed resulting in a jet of water through hose under internal pressure
Fire Safety – Portable Fire Extinguishers – Foam (Chemical)
extinguishers
• This is mainly used in Class B Fire. Foam
extinguishers are similar to soda ash type
extinguishers. The extinguisher has an inner
shell fitted with loose stopper and contains
aluminium sulphate solution. The main outer
shell contains sodium bi carbonate and foam
stabilising agent.
• To operate, the extinguisher must be inverted
which allows intermixing of chemicals. CO2 is
generated and pressure is sufficient to expel the
liquid foam which expands at the ratio 1:8.
Direct the foam nozzle towards the fire above
the level of burning liquid.
Fire Safety – Portable Fire Extinguishers – Dry powder
chemicals (DCP)
• They are intended for use in Class C (Electrical), Class E( flammable petroleum
products ) and specific metals Class D (metal fires) as per the recommendation of
the manufacturer.
• The chemical powder is contained in the main shell of the extinguisher and CO2
gas is held under high pressure in a sealed cartridge. When the cartridge is
broken allowing CO2 gas to escape to the main shell and push out the powder in
the form of fog
• The application of extinguisher should be sufficient depth to adequately cover
the fire area and provide smothering blanket.
• For effective result stand 2 – 3 metres away and direct the stream near the seat
of fire .
• Care must be taken to avoid scattering of burning metals.
Fire Safety – Portable Fire Extinguishers – CO2 extinguisher
• Co2 Extinguisher is effective because it primarily
reduces oxygen content of air to a point where
combustion cannot continue. Being a gas it
penetrates and spread through all parts of fire. It
has a limitation in terms fires involving their own
oxygen supply as well a reactive material such as
sodium, potassium and magnesium.
• The Co2 is retained under pressure in a liquid
condition under pressure. The agent is self
expelling and discharged by operation of a valve
which causes the Co2 to be discharged through a
horn
Fire Hazard Analysis
• Detailed fire hazard analysis should be carried out during initial plant design to reflect
the actual layout, construction of various facilities and the material to be used. This
analysis to be revised periodically as the project progresses and also as and when major
modifications are carried out (Change management system)
• The fire hazard analysis is a systematic analysis of:
a. All elements of fire protection programme being proposed to ensure all fire hazards
analysed, and adequate arrangement/programmes included in the design.
b. The effect of postulated fires relative to ability to perform safe shutdown of the facility
c. Suggest remedial measures
The fire risk can be quantified based on Dow index and Mond Index (Fire and explosion
index). These indices give a realistic value of risk of individual process unit due to
potential fires and explosion. Computer models are available to simulate the fire
conditions and estimate the potential consequences.
Fire Hazard Analysis
• Fire Hazard analysis should include the following factors:
• A. Concentration of combustible materials including transient fire loads due to combustibles
expected to be used in normal operations
• B. Combustible contents, furnishings, building materials or combination of combustible
materials which are conductive to fire spread.
• C. Exposure to fire, heat, smoke that may necessitate evacuation from the areas that are to
be attended for safety functions
• D. Fire in control rooms or other locations having critical safety related functions
• E. Lack of adequate access or of smoke removal facility
• F. Lack of explosion prevention measures
• G. Loss of Electric power
• H. Inadvertent operation of fire suppression systems
• I. Possibility of fire spreading from one unit to another unit
The analysis and consequences to be done by trained and experienced persons.
Prevention of fire
• Fire prevention includes procedures for preventing, detecting and Extinguishing
fire. This needs several preventive actions during design, installation, testing ,
commissioning, operation and maintenance of plants and equipments. Safety
documentation should include safety instructions related to fire prevention. Fire
preventive systems and sub systems should form part of the plant and
equipments.
Prevention of fire
• Fire prevention programme utilises the concept of fire triangle and
applying principles of triangle of extinction. Following shall be observed
for prevention of fire:
• All Inflammable material such as transformer oil, furnace oil, fuels, paints, varnishes
should be stored separately, used and handled with necessary precaution. Such
material should be guarded against heat/temp source like flames, sparks, hot
surface, flash over etc
• Insulating material should not be exposed to hot temperatures beyond certain limits
• Special precautions to be taken while welding, grinding, heating, gas cutting etc and
while carrying open flames so that fire is not initiated.
• Smoking, open flames, match boxes, inflammable material, open resistor heaters etc
should not be allowed inside the protected area and in control room
• LPG cylinders, Acetylene cylinders valves/pipes/tanks should be leak proof. Gas
cylinders must be stored separately as per safety recommendation
Prevention of fire
• Inflammable materials should not be used in electrical equipment as far as
possible. Modern non explosive/ fire free equipment must be preferred. Eg. Dry
transformer in place of oil filled transformers, SF6 breakers in place of oil filled
breakers, XLPE cable in place of oil insulated cables etc.
• Inflammable material should be avoided as much as possible in construction site
• Electrical equipment should not be over loaded. Various safety devices such as
overload protection, over current protection, temperature rise protection,
temperature monitoring must be provided with oil filled equipment and electrical
equipment having inflammable insulation.
• Good house keeping helps in prevention of fire. Scrap, waster paper, waste wood,
waste oil etc should be segregated, stored and disposed off periodically.
• Leakages should be attended immediately.
Prevention of fire
• Precautions are necessary in storage, erection, testing, commissioning, operation,
and maintenance that fires are not initiated due to carelessness.
• Sub systems should not be energised unless the fire protection systems are
commissioned and are in alert workable state
• A standard operating procedure should be developed for all critical jobs thus
ensuring safe operation and maintenance.
• Detailed check list may be developed for each operational activity such as Storage
of inflammable material, storage of equipment/spares, civil works, installation
work, testing and commissioning work, operation and maintenance and used for
ensuring that not even single point is leftout/missed during each of the operation
Fire protection (Civil works)
• The civil design provision should have following provisions
• Inflammable material should not be used in civil construction. Instead fire retarding
material should be used.
• Adjacent rooms should be air tight from each other.
• Fire and smoke should not travel from one room to another. Enough provision to be
made for heat and smoke to go out of the building.
• Ventilating ducts, air conditioning ducts etc. should have barriers so that smoke and
flames do not travel from one section to another.
• Space and approach path should be available for fire fighting personnel
• Wiring and switch boards should not initiate fires
• Provision for fire detection and fire fighting to be made during design and
construction
• Barrier fire walls must be built between inflammable material storage and other civil
structure
Fire protection (Civil works)
• Special provision must be made for drainage of oil away from the plant into the
sump during outbursts.
• Passage, staircase and ladders should be provided for emergency for escape for
personnel and fire fighting squad. All escape routes to be clearly marked in the
building for evacuation of personnel.
• Approach road and space must be provided for fire engines and ambulances
Fire Protection – Extinguishing media - water
• Fire extinguishing system that uses water as extinguishing media are
three types 1) Water sprinkler system 2) water mist system 3) Fire
hydrant system
• Water sprinkler system consists of low pressure, automatic and sprinkling
system using nozzles. This is to be installed where substantial amount of
combustible material are present. These systems are preferred in areas of high
fire load such as cable galley, oil filled transformers and storage tanks where
petroleum products are stored.
• Water mist system – Water mist system converts water to fine mist at
pressure of about 80 – 200 bars. Water mist is water droplets in which 99 % of
water droplets are less than 1000 microns. As water is being atomised at high
pressure , the surface area available for cooling is very much higher than spray
system. The high cooling effect serve not only to fight fire but also to protect
lives and properties against the effect of radiated heat. It is generally applied
in three ways a. local application, b. total compartment and c. zoned
application
Fire Protection – Extinguishing media - water
• Fire hydrant system – Stand pipes with hose connections equipped with fire hose
and nozzles should be installed in the plant as per the fire hazard analysis
requirements to suppress fire and designed as per relevant standards
Fire Protection – Extinguishing media – Fixed foam system
• Fixed foam systems are automatic, totally self contained and no manual intervention
for operation. They are installed to protect areas where large quantity of flammable
liquid is stored. There are three types namely low expansion, medium expansion and
high expansion type.
• Fixed foam systems are of sub surface injection, surface application or seal
protection for floating roof tanks or dyke protection.
• Low expansion systems are used for tank farm are where many tanks storing
flammable liquids with dyke .
• Low expansion systems are suitable for oil pool fires by cooling and smothering.
• High expansion systems operate on the principle of expansion of foam by air and
water. They are suitable to fight three dimensional fire such as fire in petroleum
pump house by totally flooding the foam up to an elevation which quenches the fire
by cooling, smothering, insulation and penetration
Fire Protection – Extinguishing media – Gaseous systems
• Fire suppression systems that uses gas as the extinguishing media are of
two types a. CO2 and Halon.
• Halons are used as fire extinguishing systems both in built-in-systems as well as
hand held portable fire extinguishers. But they pose a threat to the environment
because of presence of chlorine and bromine. Bromine especially has a higher ozone
destroying capacity. Also they have a higher atmospheric life. Due to this effect its
use is being phased out and halon alternatives such as FM200, HFC- 23 being used as
fire extinguishing media.
• CO2 systems used to suppress the fire in electrical systems. Since the concentration
of gas greater than 5 % is hazard (asphyxiation) to working persons, due care to be
taken in designing the system. In automatic systems there should be a pre discharge
alarm and discharge delay for evacuation of personnel
What to do in case of a fire
• Preparation – Familiarise yourself with
• Emergency plan prepared by the organisation
• Your role and responsibilities during an emergency
• Emergency communication system
• Location of fire alarm points nearest to your work place
• Location of emergency kits, store as well as key and items available in it
• Location of First aid box and items available in it and First aid procedure
• Emergency telephone nos. of fire station, Medical centre and security
• Assembly points
• Location of Fire extinguishers and its use in case of fire
• Location of fire hydrants
What to do in case of a fire
• Planning for Prevention and handling of fire:
• Keep fire doors/shutters, passages and exit doors unobstructed
• Do not obstruct access to fire extinguishers
• Maintain good house keeping
• Do not smoke in ‘No smoking area’
• Use proper containers for flammable liquids
• Maintain safe distance of flammable liquids from source ignition
• Welding and cutting equipments should be checked before and after use
• Main electrical equipment should be switched off when not in use
• Be familiar with the fire fighting system and with the operation of fire
extinguishers
• Ensure that you know all escape routes
What to do in case of a fire
• If at all fire occurs:
• Be concerned with your own safety as well as safety of others
• Shout: “ fire fire fire”
• If it a small and if you know the fighting, use nearest fire extinguisher to put out
the fire without undue personal risk
• If you cannot extinguish it alone, activate fire alarm and get help
• Make certain that you know your escape route and assembly point.
Steps after occurrence of fire
• 1. Fire occurs
• 2. Fire is detected by detection system or by observer
• 3. Information is passed on to Central control room and Fire and safety
department.
• Alarm/ siren is sounded to caution the employees and others in the vicinity
• Electric power supply to the system and other fuel supplies are switched off.
• If it is a small and local fire immediate use of portable fire extinguishers, water,
sand etc for extinguishing fires then and there
• If it a big fire which cannot be extinguished by portable extinguishers and need
the help of specialists, the emergency plan as per emergency manual of the
company comes into effect and co-ordination procedure as defined in the
emergency manual will get initiated.
• All the emergency co-ordinator like chief emergency co-ordinator, chief
operations co-ordinator, chief service co-ordinators are informed and they take
respective positions.
Steps after occurrence of fire
• Automatic fire fighting system gets initiated.
• Fire engine , ambulance and fire brigade arrive at the site of fire for fire fighting.
• If external help is required to fight fire, the information will be sent to other parties
like other industries , home guards etc to get additional aid. Nearby hospitals will be
informed about the incidence to prepare them for emergency treatment if required.
• All the persons in around the site of fire will be vacated to a safe place
• All the personnel in the emergency team will do their duties as per the emergency
manual.
• This emergency system/situation will continue till the fire is put off.
• After the fire is put off, emergency is lifted by sounding “All clear alarm/siren” and
normalcy is restored and operations of the plant becomes normal.
Fire Detection, Fire alarm & Fire fighting systems
• A large Plant / power plants/ Electrical sub stations has various zones of fire risk
and hence fire detectors are provided in various places. Fire alarm and control
panel is located in main control room.
• Few automatic fixed type fire fighting systems are provided where fire risk is
sufficiently high to warrant high cost installation. These systems supplement the
manually operated portable fire extinguishers and Hydrant hose stations.
• Fire detection, fire alarm systems and fire fighting systems together provide fire
Protection system.
Fire Detection, Fire alarm & Fire fighting systems
• Depending upon the risk involved following three types of fire protection
systems are provided.
• 1. Simple system which detects the smoke/fire and sound alarm
• 2. Complex system which detects the smoke/fire and sounds the alarm, indicates
the location of fire, sends the message to fire fighting crew and initiates
appropriate fire fighting systems
• 3. Advanced monitoring systems which detects the smoke/fire and sounds the
alarm, indicates the location of fire, sends the message to fire fighting crew and
initiates appropriate fire fighting systems. Additionally on line monitoring of
temperature in various zones and equipment, flow of electric power, fuels and
cooling fluids by on line scanning periodically and warns about the temperature
rise and suggests advance corrective system by means of Micro processor based
expert system
Fire Detection, Fire alarm & Fire fighting systems
• Total fire protection system include:
• Fire detection systems
• Fire alarm system
• Fire Alarm and control system
• Fire fighting system which includes extinguishers, spray and sprinkler system and
fire hydrant system.
• Monitoring systems.
Fire Detection, Fire alarm & Fire fighting systems
• Fire fighting system include:
• Water hose reels for use in offices, stores, work shop and corridors
• Hydrant system for use throughout the plant
• Sprinkler system for office, stores, turbine-Generator, transformers and boiler
room
• Co2 installation used in enclosed area, switch gear rooms, cable tunnels, gas
turbine/engine cells
• Halon systems for computer room, cable tunnels, and other light current auxiliary
system rooms.
• Foam installations for fuel oil storage tanks
• Dry chemical powder installation for control room, offices, electrical plant, all
purpose.
Fire Detection and alarm system
• Smoke, flame, light and heat confirm the presence of fire. Fire must be
detected rapidly and area of fire to be indicated at the earliest for prevention
and protection against fire. The presence of fire is detected by fire/smoke
detectors
• Fire/smoke detectors are located at various fire hazard location and
connected to Fire alarm system and automatic fire fighting systems.
• The functions of Fire detectors is to:
• detect the location of fire and initiate fire alarm systems. The function of
alarm system is to sound the alarm system and send the signals to fire fighting
crew indicating zone of fire.
• Initiate operation of automatic fire fighting system in affected area
• To initiate operation of deluge valve and to admit water through water
projectors
• To initiate tripping of circuit breakers feeding power to affected plant .
Monitoring system and Expert system for fire prevention
• These are additional microprocessor based on line systems fire
prevention.
• They provide information on various dangerous parameters and take
advance corrective action and prevent unsafe condition from
developing.
• Temperature of windings of motor, equipment, cooling media and
overloading of machines etc are periodically scanned on line through
microprocessor based monitoring systems.
• The data thus provided by monitoring systems is analysed periodically by
expert system and any trend beyond safe limits needs corrective actions
in order of priority. Eg.
• a. transformer getting over heated
• b. cooling water flow low. Check valves lines in the CW lines
• c. Load on the transformer to be reduced by 20% in next 15 minutes
Fire Safety -Type of Detectors
• The operation of detectors ends up with any one or all of the
following actions:
• Alarm initiation
• Zone indication
• Initiation if water spray system
• Initiation of deluge valve/Halon valve/Foam valve for releasing quenching
medium
Fire Safety -Type of Detectors
• Fusible glass bulb Detectors are fixed temperature detectors ( eg. 60,80, 90 Deg. C etc.)
The glass of the bulb fuses at certain predetermined temperatures which is followed by
desired action
• Rate of rise temperature detectors responds to rate of rise of temperature at 5Deg/min
• Ionisation smoke detectors detect smoke in ionisation chamber
• Optical smoke detectors operates the photo electric device in the detector
• Flame detectors react to radiant energy in the infra red or ultra violet radiation in the
spectrum of light
• Fire wire consists of stainless steel capillary sensing element looped together and
connected to monitoring unit
• Fusible links – base of the link is soldered and the solder melts at a certain temperature
thereby initiates protective equipment
• Temperature sensitive cabling – Change in the temperature of cables is detected by
connected analogue or digital electronic instruments
• Compressed air detection system – Heat of fire operates the detectors fitted in the
compressed air system fails and water sprinkler system get initiated.
Fire Safety -Type of Detectors (Working Principle
• Fusible glass Bulb detectors - Five different temperature ratings covering 60 deg to
140 deg range are used. When subjected to a particular temp the bulb shatters to
release compressed gas or high pressure water
• Rate of rise of temperature (ROTR)- Two inert gas filled bulbs one shielded from
direct heat contain a flow restricting orifice or a column of mercury. In the event of a
fire, heat creates differential pressure between the two bulbs which transfers the
mercury column to change the state of mercury switch which operates the alarm and
initiates release of compressed gas or high pressure water.
• Ionisation smoke detector – This type of detector consists of one or more chambers,
which has a radioactive elements ( Alpha source) to ionise the air inside the
chamber. Two charged electrodes inside the chamber conduct a current due to
ionisation of air. The detector operates when smoke enters the chamber and reduces
the conductivity of air inside a predefined level which in turn reduces the current
between electrodes.
• Optical smoke detector (Photo electric Detector) – This type of detector employs
the light scattering principle of smoke for detection. A light source and a light sensor
are arranged in a chamber in such a way that major portion of light does not fall on
the sensor. When smoke particles enters the light path inside the chamber, the light
is scattered and this scattered light falls on the sensor which converts into a signal
for further action
Fire Safety -Type of Detectors (Working Principle)
• Optical smoke detector (Beam type) – This type of detector operates on the
principle of obstruction of light. A light transmitter transmits a pulsed IR light which
is being received by a receiver. When the received beam intensity goes below preset
level due to smoke particles, The detector issues signal for further action.
• Flame Detectors – This kind of detector works on the detection of radiant energy of
the flame at different wave lengths. Basic types are infra red (IR) and ultraviolet (UV).
IR radiation is produced in all flames involving carbonaceous materials such as
alcohol, mineral oil, petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. UV radiation is
emitted where hydrogen and certain materials involving sulphur are burnt. IR type
flame detectors have an infrared cell (PbS) as sensor and UV type have vacuum
photo diode GM tube as sensor.
• Heat detectors (Fixed temp detectors) - This type of detectors initiates a signal
when the air surrounding it goes beyond a preset temperature. The sensor is usually
a bi-metallic strip that closes contact or a thermister (whose resistance decreases
with temperature along with associated circuitry.
Fire Safety -Type of Detectors (Working Principle)
• Linear Heat sensing (LHS) cables: These are unique heat sensing cables made of
polymer insulating material having a negative temp. coefficient or Electrical
resistance. These cables along with associated system can detect heat anywhere
along the length of the cable. There are two types analog and digital. Temp. change
anywhere in the length of the cable produces corresponding change in the resistance
of the insulating material. In analog system this data is used for generation of alarm.
In digital system the temp. change causes a insulation breakdown (short circuit)
which is used for generation of alarm. Analog cables are self restoring type if not
exposed for more than 250 deg C where as digital cables are not self restoring type
and affected portion has to be cut and replaced by new one.
• Quartzoid bulbs – This is the most common type of heat sensing devise used in
water sprinkler system. This is basically a quartz bulb containing volatile liquid. Temp.
increase beyond a certain level volume in the bulb increases due to temp. rise and
the bulb breaks which initiates alarm system / fire suppression syste.
Fire Safety – Fire Hydrant Systems
• Fire hydrant systems are pressurised water systems wherein water is
available always under pressure for fire fighting crew. The system consists
of :
• Fire water pumps and accessories
• Ring mains and piping
• Stand pipes, Hydrant valves, monitors and escape hydrants
• Hoses and hose reels
• Couplings and nozzles
• Control panel and instrumentation

In India Fire hydrant systems are designed as per TAC guidelines.

Fire Safety – Fire Hydrant Systems
• The water to the fire system should be from a independent source and should not be
combined with any other system consuming water. Hydrant systems are used for directly
fighting the fire or to fill the tanks of the fire engines.
• The minimum no. of fire water pumps for the system is two. One pump to be driven by
electric motor which can be started from the control room and other driven by diesel
engine.
• There is should be jockey pump of 20 % capacity of the main fire water pump to
maintain the pressure in the system in case of minor loss of pressure due to leak in the
system. Jockey pump is automatically started and stopped by pressure switches which
responds to the system pressure.
• A progressive fall in internal pressure causes main fire water pumps start automatically
in sequence. The diesel engine pump has to be shut by manually cutting the fuel supply.
• The pressure in the farthest hydrant should be minimum 5 Kg/cm2 g
• Fire hydrant system can also be connected to sprinkler systems/ spray systems in the
plant.
Fire safety – High pressure sprinkler/spray systems
• The total system comprises of:
• 1. Water pump set ( 2 or 4 ) driven by motor or diesel enigne
• 2. Overhead pressured water tank (Reservoir)
• 3. Air compressor system for pressurising the water in the tank
• 4. Main trunk piping system
• 5. Branch piping system
• 6. Distribution pipe system between branch pipe and spray system
• 7. Water spray system in various risk zones.
• 8. Spray nozzles (Projectors) for spraying water in certain direction
• 9. Common control panel
Fire safety – High pressure sprinkler/spray systems
• Spray nozzles (projectors) spray the water on the affected area
• Water pump sets fill the water to the pressurised overhead tanks.
• Air compressor system maintains a pressure of 10 bar in the overhead tank
• The main trunk piping is a closed ring to which branch pipes are connected. The
individual zones receives the water from the respective branch pipes.
• The compressor and the charging pumps are interlocked to ensure that the
compressor will run only when the water level in the tank is correct
• Loss of water pressure due to system leakages has to be restored by returning water
level to normal. A low air pressure alarm is raised if the tank pressure falls to 9.6 bar
• A suitable deluge and section control valves, spray projectors, sprinklers and
detectors are installed to suit each particular type of risk. It can be manual if hazard
analysis index is low and should be automatic if the risk index is high.
• Manual controls system are also employed where associated risks require visual
assessment before applying fire extinguisher
Fire safety – High pressure sprinkler/spray systems
• For convenience, some systems are arranged into subsidiary sections each being
controlled by its own air detection system which operates a pneumatically
operated valve. Only one deluge valve will be fitted to supply water to all sub
sections. Loss of air pressure in any section triggers opening of the section
individual deluge valve and also the main deluge valve to supply water to the
affected section.
• Fire protection systems always use fresh raw water which is drawn from town
reservoir or from dam site.
Fire safety – High pressure sprinkler/spray systems
• The automatic systems are of two types – Dry type and wet type.
• In wet type of system the distribution pipe work is permanently charged with water
at normal water pressure. Water is contained within the piping by fusible bulb
detectors fitter either to the spray nozzles or the detector control valves. The flow of
water caused by fusing of bulb causes the deluge valve to open ant thus supplying
the water continuously to the system.
• In dry type the distribution pipe work along with the projectors is normally empty
and at atmospheric pressure. A separate detection system is installed in the
compressed air system . The fusible bulb detectors causes loss of air pressure in the
diaphragm of the deluge valve and water is supplied under pressure to all open
projectors. Operation of deluge valve initiates alarms in the similar manner as of wet
section
• In cold countries wet system is employed within the buildings where as dry systems
are employed outdoors to avoid frosting in the lines and nozzles.
Fire safety – Safety sign boards
Fire safety – safety sign boards
Fire safety – Safety sign boards
Fire Safety – Safety sign boards
Fire safety – Safety sign boards