THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Maintaining digital copies of important files, setting up smoke detection and alarm systems in record rooms and installing automatic detection and hotline systems are among the major directives by the state home department to tackle fire mishaps in government offices.
In view of back-to-back fire mishaps in government offices including the recent fire in the state Secretariat, the home department has now come up with detailed guidelines to prevent such incidents and ensure that important files are not destroyed.
The guidelines were issued based on the recommendations by the Director General, Fire and Rescue Services. The order pointed out that the guidelines were issued, as destruction of government documents could lead to major difficulties and delay in ensuring public services.
The order mandates a slew of measures in government offices including ensuring proper ventilation facilities and maintaining sufficient fire safety equipment. A major fire at the Secretariat last year had given rise to much hue and cry, after the Opposition alleged a sabotage attempt by vested interests.
The police had later submitted a report citing short circuit as the reason. It is in this backdrop that the government asked the fire and rescue department to come up with its recommendations.
Major guidelines
The ventilation facilities to buildings should not be closed fully/partially. Sufficient ventilation should be ensured
Garbage materials and waste paper should be removed from offices from time to time
Garbage materials should not be kept on the staircase and on the terrace
Necessary preliminary fire safety equipment should be maintained at offices
Smoke detection and alarm system should be installed in record rooms and at places where important files are kept. To ensure that the alarm can be heard outside the building, hooters should be set up
Old electric systems should be replaced. It should also be ensured that RCCB/ELCB is set up in offices
Not more than one connection should be given from a single plug point
Open wiring should be completely avoided. In case of joints in wiring, ensure sufficient insulation
Flammable and hazardous materials that can easily catch fire should be kept away from switchboards, main switches and UPS
Important files should be kept in fire-resistant cabinets. Digital records of such files should be maintained, in addition a copy should be kept in another office
As in the case of banks, a hotline system with automatic detection that can send messages to the nearest fire station, should be set up in record rooms
Proper record rooms should be maintained in government offices. Many files should not be kept on top of one another
Steps should be taken to avoid files soaking in humidity, as this could lead to spontaneous combustion
Wiring in record rooms should be installed in such a manner that it can be disconnected from outside too
Record rooms should have sufficient exit width
Record rooms, server rooms and UPS rooms should have Total Flooding Systems installed with smoke/heat detection functions
Electric equipment should be switched off after office hours
No heater/induction should be used inside the office for cooking or other purposes
Employees should be given adequate training in preliminary fire and rescue activities
Fire audit and electric audit should be done in a timely manner