Disclaimer

(1.) Causes of fire, due to acids or alkalis used in the painting /polishing material.

When in contact with combustible materials, certain inforganic acids may cause fire. strong nitric acid causes fire when it is brought in contact with dry straw or dry saw dust, paper etc. The fire starts in 35 to 45 minutes in such cases and in about 3 hours time for more dilute nitric acids after bringing the acid, in contact with such substances. Concentrated sulfuric acid, on the other hand, which is heavier than water, when brought in contact with water will immediately produce a great degree of heat which might crack the glass carboy and lead to spillage of acid, producing more heat and there by charring wood, textiles, paper and setting fire to them under suitable circumstances. Strong mineral acids should not be brought in contact with oxidizers like chlorates, percolates etc.

(2.) Fire Fighting :-

(a). In general, copious amount of water in the form of fine spray, are to Be used in fire fighting involving acids and alkalis, which thus Become more and diluted and loose their strength till they become harmless.
(b). In case of small spillage involving acids, dirt, sand, talc, etc. may be employed when there is no water available. Flooding or indiscriminate use of water is not recommended in the store rooms, where the water used might react with other substances to cause a chemical reaction.
(c). In the fire involving either acids or alkalies, the area is to be ventilated quickly and gas masks should be used where any toxic gases or elements are suspected to exit or be libra

Electricity in relation to fire Hazard

1. Fire due to Electricity

(a). Over heating of cables due to excess current.
(b). Fire in electrical machinery.
(c). Effects of alternating current on steel conduits.
(d). Electric area.
(e). Electrostatic Spark.

Safety factors concerning use of electricity.

(a). All electrical apparatus, machines, wiring, transformers and switch Gears are designed to operate at a given current, which if exceeded will Over heat the equipment and cause fire.
(b). Short circuits and earth faults are amongst the most common causes of overloaded circuits, over loading of motors on account of mechanical faults such as seizing of bearings, has also given rise to a number of fires.
(c). Most of the electrical apparatus require some degree of cooling or ventilation for safe operation and the absence of it, will cause the apparatus to overheat and may cause fire to overheat and may cause fire.
(d). Electrical equipment installed in dirty and untidy surrounding is more prone to fire than equipment in clean and tidy premises. Therefore steps should be taken to eliminate, as far as possible, dust, dirt, waste material, packing material, oily rags overalls and other combustible deposits on or near any equipment.
(e). Moisture being a conductor of electricity can cause earth faults and short circuits. It may cause deterioration of insulation and damage conduit and other productive metal work there by shortening the safe life of an installation. Therefore in damp situations, equipment should be resistant to the effects of moisture.
(f). A number of serious fires are caused by electrical apparatus which has been left switched on and unattended .All such apparatus should be designed with the possibility of excessive temperature protective gear of the thermal type. Such apparatus should receive regular and
thorough maintenance.

Recommended first aid fire fighting equipments.

(a). Water and foam are not normally suitable for use on fires involving live electric equipment as they conduct electricity. When it is possible to cut off the cutter before attempting to extinguishing fire, the most general extinguishing agent is water which would also be effective for dealing with fires in ordinary combustible m terials in the vicinity.
(b). If oil or other flammable liquids are involved, foam should be used.
(c). In the case of electric fires, where it is not possible to cut off the current and for minor fires, where it is desired to avoid water damage, carbon dioxide or one of the other gaseous extinguisher using halogenated hydro carbon should be used. Dry powder or dry sand may also be useful on small fires but use of sand on machinery is not advisable.
(d). Suitable equipment for dealing with fire in electric wiring and apparatus, which do not contain oil, is as follows.
Case 1. – If the current is cut off and the circuit is dead. Suitable Equipment- soda acid Extinguishers, portable pumps, water (gas pressure) Extinguisher, water buckets hose reels.
Case 2. For Minor fires and where it is not possible to cut off the current. Co2-extinguishers, BCF- extinguishers, CBM, Dry powder (Gas pressure) extinguisher.
(e). Foam extinguisher should be provided for switch gears and other equipment containing oil but it should be ensured that the equipment is dead before the foam is used.

(1.) No person shall smoke within the Site/ factory premises.
(2.) No person shall carry matches, or other appliances capable of producing ignition or explosion in the factory/site.
(3.) No fire furnace of other source of heat or light capable of igniting flammable vapors shall be kept within the factory premises/site.
(4.) An adequate number of portable fire extinguisher and fire buckets capable of extinguishing of oil fires shall always be kept in the factory premises/site and al persons employed in the factory /site shall be made conversant with the use of such extinguisher through training from time to time.
(5.) An adequate number of water pipes connecting with the water tanks of required capacity shall be available in the factory premises/site.
(6.) All electric wiring other than the conductors of an intrinsically safe circuit shall be effectively sealed at all joints mechanically protected and adequately supported.
(7.) All electric system and equipments shall be efficiently earthed. The resistance value of an earthing system to the general mass of the earth shall not be less that 4 ohms in electrical system and 10 ohms in the case of all non-current carrying metallic parts of major electrical apparatus.