Fires in godowns account for a major chunk of total number of outbreaks in industrial occupancies and almost invariably assume serious proportions resulting into not only colossal but also damage to surrounding environment and community.

Principal causes

• Surreptitous smoking

• Spontaneous ignition

• Use of naked flames or cooking

• Faulty electrical installations

• Storage of incompatible hazardous goods

• Carrying out dangerous operations such as welding, cutting, spray painting, etc. in godowns or adjacent buildings.

Frequency of fire outbreak and loss suffered as a result, could be considerably reduced if proper attention is paid to following safe practices:

Storage

• Ascertain beforehand fire hazards of the materials you store. Assume the material to be hazardous if complete information is not available.

• Store the materials susceptible to water damage, on skids, pallets and such elevated platforms of at least 20 cm above the ground. Prefer non-combustible material for such platforms.

• Ensure that safe floor load limits given in IS 875 : 1964 are not exceeded.

• Ensure adequate ventilation where flammables are stored, handled or used.

• Don't allow even temporary storage of goods if it obstucts access to godown doors, aisles, fire exits and fire equipment.

• Store incompatible chemicals separately.

• Keep flammable materials away from ignition sources.

• Use self-closing containers for flammables/spontaneously combustible materials and periodically vent containers of volatile flammable solvents.

Segregation

• Segregate the materials as hazardous, extra-hazardous and non-hazardous as per IS 1641 :1960 and store them in separate areas.

• Store the materials, which emit a large amount of smoke and/or noxious gases, in separate well-ventilated godowns.

• Use detached buildings segregated from all other storages by separating walls to store gas cylinders which are liable to explode when exposed to fire.

• Don't store contaminating commodities such as poisons, dyes, tanning extracts, gum and soda ash along with or on floor above foodstuff storage.

Stacking

• Give due regard to characteristics of materials when you stack them.

• Maintain safe and stable stacking heights.

• Stack such that internal spread of fire is minimized and materials are easily accessible for fire fighting.

• Ensure that stacks are not more than 4.5 m in height and a gap of at least 1.0 m is maintained between the top of the stack and the ceiling, beam, etc. or sprinkler heads.

House-keeping

• Keep storage areas dry, clean and well ventilated.

• Ensure high housekeeping standards and avoid spillage. Promptly eliminate oil/gas leaks and clean spillage of flammables. Keep clean­up equipment for spills handy.

• Ensure that all godowns and compounds are swept clean everyday. Also ensure systematic removal of weeds, from the compound.

• Inspect thoroughly godown premises before it is closed.

Handling

• Ensure label on every chemical container.   Don't use or handle unlabeled container but report them. Follow the instructions on the label and in the Material Safety Data Sheet.

• Follow approved procedures for material handling, goods movement and loading/unloading.

• Ensure electrical grounding and bonding of the containers labelled FLAMMABLE before pouring, dispensing or transferring any liquid from them,

• Strictly follow work permit instructions when welding, cutting and other such hot work are undertaken in areas where flammables are present.

• Don't drag containers labelled FLAMMABLE.   Handle them with care and use appropriate trolleys.

• Switch on fan motor before using chemical hood.

• Use rubber cradle while transporting unpackaged glass bottles of chemicals.

Equipment and appliances

• Use certified flameproof of forklift trucks where highly flammable goods are stored or handled.

• Never fill or empty fuel tanks of petrol/diesel - powered mobile material handling equipment.

• Ensure that induction system of all petrol motors is provider with flame arrestor.

• Ensure that fuel-operated material handling equipment carry suitable types of fire extinguishers.

• Prefer non-flammable refrigerants for refrigeration systems.

Electrical Installations

• Don't overload electrical circuits.

• Avoid temporary connections.

• Locate all switches and control equipment outside the godowns storing florous goods, flammable liquids, nitrocellulose and fireworks or explosives, don't use flexible lighting pendants and portable lamps but ensure use of flameproof fittings in such situations.

• See that no light fitting has a clearance of less than 75 cm from the highest stacking level.

• Keep electrical fuse and switch boxes clean and closed.

• Never carry out electrical repairs on your own.   Call authorised electician.

Other Measures

• Don't allow use of naked flames, welding, cutting and spray painting operations except in detached buildings specifically set apart for such purposes.

• Don't smoke in places other than permitted zones.

• Keep fire check doors shut when not needed and after the end of the day's work.

• Don't drain out flammable chemical spillage with water.   Collect them by using absorbent material for safe disposal.

• Avoid re-use of empty chemical containers. Thoroughly empty, rinse, decontaminate, puncture and crush them before disposal.

Handling Emergencies

• Always be prepared for emergencies

• Know and understand precautions and procedures in case of spillage/leakage and fire.

• Keep emergency telephone numbers handy.

• Know locations of fire exits and keep them clear.

• Ensure that fire equipment in working condition and accessible.

• Know how to use fire extinguishers.

• Conduct fire emergency drills at regular intervals.