Five Common Causes of Industrial Fire and Explosion

Fire, explosions and industries

Loss of life and property due to fires and explosions is a major reason in industries. Industrial MEP consultants must design to avoid happening of such incidents. 

Research indicates that there were about 6368 incidents from 2014 to 2017 where people died in industrial accidents. 

The majority of the incidents were in Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Industrial MEP consultants must analyse the research and design industries accordingly. 

Understanding the importance of a fire plan and training the workforce is essential. Training ensures that the staff take the right steps in a fire incident. So, the people who handle flammable products should undergo formal training. 

What are the Causes of fire and explosion?

Some of the causes of fire and explosion are as follows:

1. Combustible dust: These dust particles are suspended in the air. They become combustible under certain conditions. These particles convert small fires into explosions. A few steps can prevent these incidents.
1. By maintaining a proper and good housekeeping routine, incidents can be prevented.
2. A process for the safe collection of combustible dust. 
3. Ensuring the workforce follows regulations and standards
4. Proper training. 
2. Hot work: Hot work includes welding, burning, heating, soldering, torch cutting etc. The first spark and molten materials reach high temperatures and may end up in fire. These fires can be prevented by :
1. Ensuring doing hot work under a proper permit with a supervisor.
2. Training employees on hazards of hot work and prevention
3. Housekeeping
4. Keeping the work area uncluttered
3. Flammable gases and liquids: Some liquids and gases are flammable. People trained in handling liquids must be allocated the work. The following steps help avoid fires: 
1. Each material container should be marked and pasted with a datasheet. 
2.  Isolate and store Flammable materials separately. 
3. Wear protective equipment while handling flammable liquids and gases.
4. A proper firefighting system must be in place. 
4. Equipment and Machinery: Fire may start due to be improperly maintained or installed equipment. The following steps can avoid fires: 
1. Awareness 
2. Good Housekeeping
3. A properly maintained equipment. 
5. Electrical Hazards: Exposed wiring, overload in circuits and static discharge may initiate fire. A few steps to prevent fire are: 
1. MEP consultants should give a proper design of the electrical installation. 
2. Unplug equipment when not in use. 
3. Use Anti-static equipment
4. Good Housekeeping
5. Proper dressing of wires and cables.
6. The facility managers must get a report of any issues with equipment. 

What are the steps to prevent fire and explosion

MEP Consultants can 

1. Prepare a hazard study before designing the facility. 
2. Provide a proper and compliant design. A proper design is possible only when the MEP consultant is a part of the project team from the concept.
3. Proper Fire Protection system, Signages 
4. Proper housekeeping
5. Maintenance of all systems
6. Finally, the MEP consultants should work in tandem with the Architects and the rest of the project team to ensure fire protection systems are in place.