PANAJI
Taking note of the recent fatal fire incident in the State, the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers has released a set of fire safety guidelines for all factories, urging strict compliance to prevent accidents, legal violations and potential liabilities.
The advisory notes that the guidelines are not exhaustive and that factory managements must adopt any additional safety measures required by other authorities, depending on the nature of operations and fire risks involved. Mandatory quarterly fire drills and a valid Fire NOC from the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services have also been emphasised.
Factories have been instructed to ensure that all fire-detection and firefighting systems remain fully functional at all times, with adequate equipment suited to the specific fire hazards present. Units must prepare an On-Site Emergency Plan under Rule 90W of the Goa Factories Rules, 1985, train all workers in emergency response and inform neighbouring establishments or the public about safety protocols in case of an accident.
Personnel designated for firefighting are required to be adequately trained, with the number of trained staff proportionate to the size of the factory, number of shifts and total workforce. Roads and passages inside factory premises must remain unobstructed for evacuation and emergency access.
Buildings handling or storing explosive or highly inflammable materials must have proper lightning protection. In areas where flammable vapours or explosive atmospheres may accumulate, only flameproof electrical equipment is permitted, and strict earthing and bonding measures should be adopted to eliminate static charges.
Ventilation ducts, pneumatic conveyors and other high-risk equipment must be fitted with smoke or flame arresters and automatic extinguishing systems. Periodic inspections of machinery and electrical installations are required to identify hazards such as short circuits and address vulnerabilities.
Factories must provide adequate and properly illuminated fire exits on all floors, with signage in languages understood by the majority of workers. All exits should lead directly to open spaces or streets and buildings must be equipped with a fire alarm system audible at every level.
