CIL’s Fire Safety Inspections
As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 35 Indians die in fire-related accidents daily, based on the casualty report of 12,748 deaths in 2018.
Of the total victims of fire incidents in 2018, about 4,300 were in the young age group of 18 – 30 years, and around 3,900 were in the 30 – 45 age group.
This emphasizes the importance of Fire Safety Inspections.
What Is Fire Safety Inspection?
Fire Safety Inspections in India are conducted by specialized fire departments to evaluate and lessen the potential risks and safety hazards associated with fire disasters.
These inspections point out the safety flaws in an organization, mostly in the form of a written report specifying the necessary corrective measures to be taken.
Fire Inspections in India may differ from area to area; the variations are depicted as follows:
• The Fire Inspections could be annual, semi-annual, or quarterly, depending on the local authorities’ guidelines.
• The risk assessment report could be written or verbal.
• The visits by fire inspectors may be uninformed or notified well in advance, depending on the regional jurisdiction policies.
• Furthermore, there can be numerous other changes in the type and frequency of fire inspections.
These safety inspections are crucial, and should not be exercised carelessly as lives are on the line. Why Is It Necessary?
When it comes to fire disasters, the best protection is prevention. However, even under ideal circumstances, fire accidents do happen because they’re never completely preventable.
Thus, Fire Inspections are necessary to put timely and workable systems in place for efficiently responding to fire mis happenings and preventing losses of life and property.
Not only does a Fire Inspection estimates risks, but also demonstrates several things the employees of an organization can do to counter fire emergencies, such as:
Making them aware of exit routes:
Fire Inspections check whether there are appropriately structured fire exit routes, and helps the employees to get familiar with them.
Encouraging to know about fire extinguishers:
Apart from highlighting the suitable spots for extinguisher placement, Fire Inspections also encourage the employees of an organization to know where they’re located, and assists them in learning their usage and functionalities.
Facilitating mental preparation:
Fire Inspections can teach the personnel to stay calm and remember fire emergency numbers in a state of panic.
What Is Included In The Fire Safety Audit?
A Fire Safety Audit in India is an analysis of an organization’s premises and associated documentation by fire safety inspectors, to determine if the premises are being managed by keeping fire safety in mind.
During the Fire Safety Audit, the inspectors can examine the organization as well as speak to the employees to test their awareness regarding fire safety.
At the end of the investigation, a Fire Safety Audit report will be provided to describe the conclusions, along with recommendations for the next course of action to be taken.
The Audit Report might include revelations of existing legal non-compliance findings, deviations from standard operating procedures, or safety clearance qualifying remarks, depending on the fire inspectors’ decision.