Goan Reporter::FIRE SAFETY CIRCULAR ISSUED FOR FACTORIES

Panjim: December 10, 2025::Taking cognizance of the recent tragic fire incident occurred in one of the establishments in the State resulting in unfortunate deaths, the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers has  issued safety guidelines to be adopted by factories to ensure fire safety to prevent and control any fire incidents in the premises to avoid liability and legal violations.  The issued guidelines are not exhaustive in nature. Additional precautions as may be necessary, based on specific requirement/ directives issued  by any other Authority, is to be adopted by the factory management to ensure fire safety based on the nature of manufacturing activity and the type of fire hazard involved  The guidelines are as follows: Ensure that the fire detection and firefighting systern installed in the factory premises is in good working condition at all the times with adequacy of suitable firefighting media depending on the type of fire hazard involved. Draw up an On-Site Emergency Flan along with detailed control measures for your factory in accordance with the provisions prescribed under the rule 90W of the Goa Factories Rules, 1985. Ensure that all the workers are trained in connection with emergency preparedness in line with On-Site Emergency Plan of the factory to ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities and also take steps to make known the general public or other factories / units in the vicinity, the safety measures required to be taken in the event of an accident taking place. Ensure that the factory personnel identified for firefighting purpose are trained adequately in order to manage any fire incident effectively. The guidelines further states that the ratio of number of personnel’s to be trained for firefighting purpose shall be in proportion to the size of the factory, the number of shifts in which the factory operates and the maximum number of workers employed therein at any one time. Roads, passageways, etc in the factory premises are to be maintained so as to provide unobstructed access for evacuation and firefighting. Buildings/sheds/structures in which explosive or highly inflammable substances are manufactured, used, handled or stored are to be provided with adequate protection against lightning. Wherever there is danger of fire or explosion from accumulation of inflammable or explosive substances in air. (i) all electrical apparatus shall either be excluded from the area of risk or they shall be of flameproof construction and so installed and maintained as to prevent the danger of their being a source of  ignition. (ii) effective measures i.e. earthing and bonding shall be adopted for prevention of accumulation of static charges to a dangerous extent.  Ventilation ducts, pneumatic conveyors and similar equipment involving a serious fire risk are to be provided with flame and smoke arresting and or automatic fire extinguishing appliances to appliances. Periodic inspection are to be conducted of all the machines / equipment’s and electrical installations being used in the factory premises to identify electrical hazards to minimize the risk of fire due to short-circuiting and to identify areas of risk or vulnerability in electrical systems and installation.  Adequate number of fire exits are to be provided in each building / shed and on each floor in accordance with the applicable law in this regard. Exits provided shall be clearly visible and suitably illuminated with suitable arrangement by whatever artificial lighting adopted for this purpose, to maintain the required illumination in case of failure of the normal source of electric aveto supply and are to be marked in a language understood by the majority of the workers.  All exits are to be provided continuous means of aggress to the exterior of A A a building / shed or to an exterior open space leading to a street. Building / shed is to be provided with fire alarm system, audible at all the levels of the building/shed. Fire drills are to be conducted at least once in every three months and a valid Fire NOC issued by Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services, Government of Goa should be obtained and maintained .