All   Fire-hazards are due to human-fault

            Life can not be thought of without fire. The fire with all its manifestations of flame, heat and evolution of smoke and fumes is called as fire when it is not at its desired places i.e the burners, ovens, furnaces or at flare-stacks. Actually fire is chain oxidation process wherein free radicals from the surface of a substance get energized to liberate in ionized state and react with oxygen in its stoichiometric proportions with evolution of heat. When its temperature reaches its ignition temperature, fire appears spontaneously. Once there is a fire  the radiant heat rapidly heat the adjoining surface to release more fumes at its fire point which stokes the fire which is called inhibition.

            In an incidence of fire the flame causes fire-spread, the heat causes heat radiation  and the unburnt oxides and free radicals constitute the smoke which rises up from the fire spot causing rapid air inflow to the places of ignition which rapidly increases the rate of combustion and flame dispersion. The smoke causes asphyxiation and toxic ailments to the living beings The radiant heat causes burn injury to the living beings heats up the ambiance causing new hazards like vapor-cloud explosions and radiation hazards

           Fire is a science and its extinguishing methods are engineering subject based on the science of fire. Hence it is important to know the fire chemistry before applying engineering for its extinguishment. One should know the safety data of the substance involved. Such data for thousands of chemicals are available in printed form which contains the physical, chemical, toxicological and explosive characteristics along with tips for safe storage house-keeping, packing, transport safety along with medical treatment and fire fighting methods.

         Fire extinguishment technology is based on  three important aspects of fire. It is usually called the fire-triangle. These characters are (i) The substance, (ii) Oxygen(air) and (iii) Source of heat. The other important aspect is to contain the fire inhibition process. For example after we lit a match stick if we hold the stick vertically up  keeping the fire at the top the same will extinguish after a while at its own , but if the stick will be hold opposite the total stick will burn out.. The fire extinguishment method is based on cutting off any one link of the fire triangle. Most fire extinguishers are designed to cut off oxygen supply while the most ancient and widely used method is to douse the fire with water. Means cut off the heat source..

          The person in control of a premises  in many cases does not posses adequate knowledge on fire. He off-loads the job to a consultant .The consultant en cashes on the novice ness of the owner and installs the system suiting to his terms. It is worth to cite some examples. One may visit any petroleum oil depot which is installed by the public sector oil companies at the center or at a corner of every important township by the side of the railway track in our country. The oil tanks would be found installed side by side without leaving safe distance among them. The fire hydrant points would have been installed at a distance of 4 to 5 meters from the oil tanks. There may not be adequate fire water storage and supply system. The fire water pump house would be inside the depot which would be no better than a confined space. The design should take account for the potential of the expected heat radiation in the possible worst scenario. Actually in their worst scenario the radiation intensity inside the licensed premises will be in the fatal range. In the Oil depot fire of IOCL in Sitapura of Jaipur Rajasthan on 29^th October 2009  the official had no option left but to abandon the place and to let the oil burn off for weeks together. The explosion caused a tremor of 2.3 in the ritcher scale within a distance of three kilometers evacuation of half a million people within that area.12 persons were killed and 300 plus persons got injured due to the radiant heat Properties worth 400 crores rupees gutted according to the claims of the Sitapura Industries Association. The funniest incident was along with the installation the fire water pumps were also found melted beyond recognition. The officials who may not be strictly at fault under section 120B (criminal conspiracy), sec.166 (Public servant disobeying law with an intent to cause injury to any person, section 304A (causing death a person due to negligence) and section 511(attempting to cause a cognizable offense) were charged with those offenses.

         The issue is a scientific subject. If one adequately understand the subject why will there be any lacuna. The problem there may be either;they have compromised with the fire safety requirements or did not have an adequate and well rehearsed fire fighting arrangement. The fire is classified into five classes. They are;

Class-A  :  Fire due to combustible materials like wood textiles paper, rubbish and the likes.

Class-B  :  Fire from flammable oils, petroleum products ,solvents greases, paints etc.

Class-C  :  Fire from gaseous substances(hydrogen LPG,LNG, Methane etc.

Class-D  :  Fire involving chemicals and active metals

Class-E  :  Fire involving electrical short circuit electrical equipments and delicate machines

           The recommended fire fighting materials for such type of fires are;

            Class-A: Water, dry sand and soda-acid

            Class-B: Carbon dioxide Dry chemical powder and water cooling

            Class-C: Carbon dioxide , Dry chemical powder and dry sand

            Class-D: Chloride based DCP dry sand and water if compatible

            Class-E: Carbon dioxide, DCP, dry sand

   It is said that the biggest fire incidences the world has yet noticed could have been doused with a cup of water had it been fought at the time of incidence of the fire. Therefore the fire safety requirements shall have a fool proof extinguishment strategy. Accordingly there shall be adequate facilities to prevent and to fight a fire. Broadly they are;

Fixed systems- Fire hydrant system having the user points at strategic locations, along with

                          Fire water pumping devices, fire water pond well designed piping network

                          Water hoses, nozzles, monitors and other water spraying devices.

                         -  Foam pouring arrangements and chemical storage installations

                         -  Closed loop water cooling arrangements

                         - Smoke or heat detection system

Mobile system-Fire tenders, truck laden fire engines, fire extinguishers, foam tenders.

Such systems need periodic testing and technological auditing by experts and timely updating.

  The working system should be for isolation of the affected region and prevention of fire spread

Isolation process: Fire always burn laminar and the flame travels upward.. Hence when the top surface is burning the  materials can be retrieved from the bottom. In thatched house fire the burning house is segregated by pulling out the combustible roofing materials from the connecting roof.

Fire spread: Fire is pacified by gently pouring the fire hydrant chemicals on the fire surface from the spreading side so as to  cut off oxygen supply from the source

Fire fighting system should be kept on auto:   The hydrant system is advisable to be kept on auto  in addition to manual operating options.

Foam pouring system: All oil storage tanks need be provided with inbuilt foam pouring arrangement

Water cooling arrangements: All storage installations shall have individual closed loop water cooling device.

Fire fighting team: The fire fighting team should consist of experienced fire professional. No person in such team shall have any physical or clinical disability. Persons with eye defect heart ailment blood pressure and epilepsy should not be allowed in a fire fighting team. Fire proximity suits, face shields, safety shoes, and self breathing appliances shall be adequately available to the fire-men. From among the team there shall be a fire rescue team equipped with flexible safety ladders and motorized high rise rescue devices.. And a planned communication system.

First aid team: This team shall consist of medically trained persons equipped with all type of first-aid equipments.

Fire drill: Fire drill is advisable to be conducted frequently. As far as practicable such drills should be presented for assessment by some outside experts. A register need be maintained wherein the assessors be requested to note their advices and feelings. Such register shall be discussed after every drill and then reviewed by the owner of the premises and the remedial measures be taken without any compromise.

              Beside these arrangements all buildings or confined places should be provided with clear approach road, exit routes. All premises need frequent fire audit and its compliance.

   The author has more than 32 years of experience in this field. He thinks if there is no compromise on any fire safety requirements the fire will always be in control of your finger tips. In the recent Maharastra secretariat building fire on 22^nd June 2012 wherein 5 civilians lost their lives the visible short falls are unplanned vehicle parking chocking the approach route which caused delay in approaching the fire in rage, improper house keeping causing problems in isolating the fire, inadequate fire fighting infrastructure, absence of a well rehearsed fire fighting team and lack of knowledge of the inmates on the effects of fire are the few..

  As usual the investigating team would submit a stereo type report. Some head may roll. But we should realize that all accidents never happen, they are caused. Similarly all fires are caused. The owner can not say he is without any fault.