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Precautions

a) You should know that
  1. About 600 litres of water flow through a nozzle in a minute.
  2. A water tender carries 4500 litres of water only.
  3. If two nozzles are used to throw water on to the fire. It takes only 4 minutes to empty a water tender.
  4. Hydraulic Platform/turn table ladders can reach to a height of 54m/45m under most favourable operating conditions.
  5. No objection certificate from Surat Fire &  Emergency is not a guarantee against the out break of
  6. Availability of fire fighting equipment in the premises do not prevent out breakoffire. They help in minimizing the losses due to fire if maintained and operated immediately, effectively and efficiently.
  7. Non-informing fire service about the fire incident is a cognizable offence.
b) Fire Precautions in High Rise Buildings

The threat of fire in High Rise Buildings is constant and if adequate precautionary measures are not taken, the consequences can be grave. Therefore, observe the following basic precautions.

Do’s Don’ts
Good House Keeping must be ensured. Don’t dispose off lighted cigarette ends carelessly.
Always use ashtrays while smoking and deposit smoked butts in them after extinguishing. Don’t plug too many electrical appliances in one socket
All receptacles for waste should be emptied at regular intervals. Don’t paint fire detector/sprinkler heads
Faculty electrical appliances should be repaired/replaced immediately.
Switches and fuses should conform to correct rating of circuit.
Welding /Cutting jobs should be carried out under strict supervision.
Keep smoke/Fire Check doors closed.
Keep means of escape clear of obstructions.
Fire Rescue drills should be carried out at regular intervals.
c) Fire Precautions in Residential Area
Do’s Don’ts
Keep your house neat and clean. Don’t middle with electrical fixtures like plugs, wires switches and sockets.
Keep matches, lighters and crackers away from children. Handle crackers with care, Don’t leave spray cans on or near heaters or in direct sunlight they could explode.
Use metal ashtrays while smoking to dispose off matches, used cigarettes and bidis. Don’t throw matches, cigarette ends or pipe ash into waste pipe baskets
Papers, clothes and flammable liquids should be kept away from heaters/stoves/open choolahs. Don’t place oil laps, agarbattis or candles on the floor or near combustible material.
Keep the escape routes/staircases free of any obstructions. Don’t wear loose, flowing clothes while cooking specially avoid synthetic clothing.
Use only one electrical appliance in one socket. Don’t keep crackers in you pocket or use fireworks inside the house
Keep LPG stoves on raised platform Never on the floor. Never light fireworks under confinement in a metal container.
Turn off the cylinder valve and burned knob of the gas stove after cooking. Never light flowerpot (anar) while holding it.
Keep a bucket of water handy while using fireworks. In case of Burn Injuries Due to Fire, Pour Water Over Burn Till Pain Subsides. Never reach for any article over a fire.
d) Fire Safety Precautions Against Electricity

About 60% fires are of electric origin on account of electric short circuit, overheating, overloading, use or non standard appliances, illegaltapping of electrical wires, improper electrical wiring, carelessness and ignorance etc. It can lead to serious fire and fatal accidents, if proper instructions are not followed. Such incidents can be minimized to a great extent if adequate fire precautions are observed. Electricalfires spread rapidly especially in buildings and cause loss of lives and property. It is, therefore, necessary to act fast. Raise an alarm for help. Switch off power supply to de-energise the equipment. Use drysand, CO2, dry powder or Halon extinguishers.

Do’s Don’ts
Use I.S.I. certified appliances. Don’t use substandard fixtures, appliances.
Use good quality fuses of correct rating, miniature circuit breakers and earth leakage circuit breakers. Never have temporary or naked joints on wiring.
Use one socket for one appliance. Don’t lay wires under carpets, mats or doorways. They get crushed, resulting in short circuiting.
Switch off the electric supply of the fire affected areas. Don’t lay wires under carpets, mats or doorways. They get crushed, resulting in short circuiting.
Fuses and switches should be mounted on metallic cubicles for greater safety against fire. Don’t allow appliances cords to dangle.
Replace broken plugs and switches. Don’t place bare wire ends in a socket.
Keep the electrical wires away from hot and wet surface.
Switch off appliance after use and remove the plug from the socket.
Switch off he ‘Main’ switch when leaving home for a long duration.
e) Instruction for Fire Safety in Respect of Temporary Structures/Pandals
  • The height of the ceiling of the pandal should not be less than 3 metres.
  • No synthetic materials or synthetic ropes should be used in such structures.
  • Margins of at least 3 metres should be kept on all sides-away from any preexisting walls or buildings.
  • No structure should be erected underneath any live electrical line.
  • Structure should be erected reasonably away from railway lines, electric substations, furnaces or other hazardous places and a minimum distance of 15 metres should be maintained.
  • Exits on all sides of the pandal shall be kept sufficiently wide (minimum 1.5 metres).There should be provision for stand by emergency light.
  • • First-aid fire extinguishers or water buckets must be installed at strategic points inside and outside   of the pandal.
  • No combustible material like wood shavings, straw, flammable and explosive chemicals and similar materials should be permitted to be stored in the vicinity or inside the pandal.
  • No fireworks display with open flames of any kind should be permitted close to the temporary structure/pandal. Kitchen must be segregated by providing separation walls of noncombustible material (G.I. Sheets) from the remaining area of the temporary structure.
  • The height of the ceiling of the pandal should not be less than 3 metres.
  • No synthetic materials or synthetic ropes should be used in such structures.
  • Margins of at least 3 metres should be kept on all sides-away from any preexisting walls or buildings.
  • No structure should be erected underneath any live electrical line.
  • Structure should be erected reasonably away from railway lines, electric substations, furnaces or other hazardous places and a minimum distance of 15 metres should be maintained.
  • Exits on all sides of the pandal shall be kept sufficiently wide (minimum 1.5 metres).
  • There should be provision for stand by emergency light. First-aid fire extinguishers or water buckets must be installed at strategic points inside and outside of the pandal.
  • No combustible material like wood shavings, straw, flammable and explosive chemicals and similar materials should be permitted to be stored in the vicinity or inside the pandal.
  • No fireworks display with open flames of any kind should be permitted close to the temporary structure/pandal.
  • Kitchen must be segregated by providing separation walls of noncombustible material (G.I. Sheets) from the remaining area of the temporary structure.
f) Fire safety during public/private functions

Frequent requests are received by Surat Fire & Emergency Services for providing fire safety for providing fire safety cover in the public/private functions. The fire engines are provided on payment basis subject to availability.

The public should ensure that the auditorium/stadiums, which they are booking for various functions are having valid No Objection certificate from fire department. Therefore, such functions be held in those premises only, which are having clearance from fire service.


g) Fire Precautions in Industries

Owing to the rapid growth of industries, complexities of fire risk have increased enormously. Incidents of such fire risk have increased enormously. Incidents of such fires not only result in huge loss offire and property but also cause dislocation of work, loss of production, unemployment and so many other kinds of suffering, If adequate fire prevention measures are taken the losses can be minimized.

Do’s Don’ts
Store flammable liquids gases, solvents, chemicals in stable racks, correctly labeled. Don’t smoke in prohibited areas.
Keep chemicals in cool and dry place away from heat. Don’t place obstruction in means of escape.
Where hazardous chemicals are used/stored, ensure adequate ventilation and prohibit smoking. Don’t use damaged cords and avoid temporary connections.
Maintain good house keeping. Ensure cigarettes are extinguished before disposal Don’t plug to many electrical appliances in one socket.
Use fuses and circuit breakers of correct capacity.
Before welding operation, all traces of flammable material must be removed to a safe distance.
Welding/Hot work should be carried out under proper fire watch.
Keep all machinery clean and lubricate it to avoid friction and overheating.
Regular fire drills should be carried out.
h) Basic Fire Precautions in Rural Areas

Every year thousands of fires occur in villages and farms resulting in heavy losses and depletion of stock of the most valuable and vitally required harvested crops meant for caving the teaming million from starvation. In many cases, even lives are lost. Such incidents can be minimized if the following fine precautions are observed.

Do’s Don’ts
Extinguish cigarette/bidi ends and match sticks before disposal. Don’t be careless about disposal of cigarettes/bidi butts.
Keep combustible materials such as fuel wood, oil paints, spirits etc. in a separate room. Naked lamps or kitchen fires should never be allowed to burn while retiring to bed.
The dwellings and huts should be constructed as far as possible with noncombustible materials. Electric wiring should not pass over hay stacks.
Electric installations should be carried out by a qualified electrician. Hay stacks should not be built up near the railway lines or roads.
Burning of waste material, grass land, rubbish, stubble etc. should always be done away from the residence under proper supervision
Provide spark arrestors on Tractor Exhaust pipe.
While building up hay stacks, ensure that A minimum distance f 20m frm stack t stack r stack t residences is maintained
  • A minimum distance of 20m from stack to stack or stack to residences is maintained o
  • Height of stack should not be more than 8m.
  • Limit one stack to a maximum of 20 tonnes
  • Keep water drums and few buckets near hay stacks.
  • If possible, build up the stacks near tube wells, ponds, river or other water sources.
i) Fire Precautions for Children

Children are our most valued possessions. They are also among the most vulnerable to accidents and fire. The following safety hints shall be borne in mind.

  1. Never leave children alone near an open fire, heater or in a kitchen.
  2. Elder children may use fire or play with matches. The results can be disastrous. Keep matches and cigarette lighters out of reach of children.
  3. If young children are playing in a room fitted with a Combustion heater or other heating appliance, ensure that the appliance is screened so that children cannot crawl or put their hands on hot elements or hot materials.
  4. Ensure electrical plugs and sockets are covered so that children cannot put wires, metal instruments, their fingers into.