Fire Prevention – Indoor & Outdoor Storage of Materials

 

Fire Prevention – Indoor & Outdoor

 Storage of Materials

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Outdoor Storage

Combustible materials shall be properly stacked, taking into consideration the stability of the stack (pile) and shall in no case be higher than 6 m (20 ft). Enough clearance to be maintained.

Ensure the solid combustible materials shall be separated into stacks not larger than 141m3 (5,000 ft3).

Safe Access - Access roads between and around combustible/flammable storage stacks/areas within an outdoor storage yard shall be at least 4.5 m (15 ft) wide and shall be maintained free from any accumulation of rubbish, equipment or other material.

Access roads at storage yards shall be spaced at a maximum grid size of 15 m x 45.7 m (50 ft x 150 ft).

Flammable materials (e.g., paints, fuels, chemicals) shall be stored as per the manufacturer guidelines/Safety Data Sheet(SDS) separated and stored in a designated flammable liquid storage area away from heat sources, electrical equipment and other ignition sources. Container with correct nomenclature is important.

Ensure the incompatible materials (e.g., flammables and oxidizers) shall not be stored together.

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Vegetation (e.g., weeds and grass) shall be kept down and a regular procedure provided for periodic cleanup of the entire area. Dry grass is dangerous they can catch fire easily.

Storage areas shall be graded to divert possible spills away from buildings and adjacent working areas, or shall be surrounded by a curb or earth dike at least 30 cm (12 inches) high. The secondary containment to be provided for the required. Provisions shall be made for draining off accumulations of ground/rain water and spills of flammable/combustible liquids when curbs or dikes are used. The required fire protection & fighting arrangement to be done in the storage area with adequate signages including emergency contact numbers.

 Ensuring Safety at Heights in Industry

Indoor Storage

All materials shall be stored and handled according to their fire characteristics, company & local regulations to be referred & ensured.

Incompatible materials that may create a fire hazard shall be segregated by a barrier having a fire resistance of at least 1 hour. SDS recommendations to be ensured.

Safe Access - Material shall be stacked to minimize the spread of fire and permit firefighting access. Aisle space shall be maintained to safely accommodate the widest vehicle that may be used within the building for firefighting purposes.

For building areas/rooms without sprinklers, a minimum clearance of 0.6 m (2 ft) shall be maintained between the ceiling and the top level of any stacked material below.

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For building areas/rooms with sprinklers, a minimum clearance of 0.5 m (18 inches) shall be maintained between the top level of any stacked material and the sprinkler heads/deflectors.

Adequate clearance shall be maintained around lights and heating units to prevent ignition of combustible materials.

Combustible/flammable materials shall be maintained at a clearance of at least 0.6 m (2 ft) around fire-rated doors.

Materials shall not be stored/located where they obstruct access to exits or visibility of exit signs. The required fire protection & fighting arrangement to be done in the storage area with adequate signages including emergency contact numbers.

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