CASE STUDY

OF

FIRE INCIDENT

Presented By
Pranvendra Kumar Rao
Joint Director, U.P.Fire Service, Lucknow
&
Ajay Kumar Gupta
Deputy Director, U. P. Fire Service, Agra Range,
Agra.
 Factory
M/s Shreeji International
Export Shoe Manufacturing

Jeoni Mandi, Agra

Incident Date : 24, May 2002
 INTRODUCTION

Agra nearly 200km from Delhi.

Agra internationally famous for Taj Mahal & other monuments.
Lot of export & indigenous shoe manufacturing units located.
Shoe manufacturing units are associated with hazards like

 Storage of highly flammable adhesives.

 Raw sheets of leather in bulk quantity.
 Storage of unfinished & finished shoes.
 Packaging/corrugated boxes .
 M/S SHREEJI INTERNATIONAL PREMISE

• Situated in one of the portion of Ist Floor of LIC building.

• Other commercial units situated in this LIC building

 RCF Godown
 M/s Usha International Factory
 Khoda Shoes
 Dainik Jagran Newpaper Press
 M/s S M Export
 M/s Jaipur Golden Transport
 U P Rajya Bhandran Nigam Godown
A View of L. I. C. Building, AGRA
M/S SHREEJI INTERNATIONAL PREMISE

Engaged in shoe manufacturing since 1991.

Registered under U.P. Factories Act, 1948 on
12, Oct 1996 for 50 workers & 50 H. P.
License renewed up to 31, Dec 2002.
Provided with 2 staircases.
M/S SHREEJI INTERNATIONAL PREMISE

Deficiencies Noticed :
1 No. Staircase fitted with iron channel gate normally
kept locked.
Other main staircase used for both entrance & exit.
Storage of 30-40 drums of each 20 lts. cap of highly
flammable adhesive near entrance point of main
staircase.
Approx. 300-350 employees working on incident day.
Distance of factory from nearest Fire Station – 7 km.
Except few unserviceable Fire Extinguishers, No other fire
fighting equipment was available in the factory.
Side View of Shoe Factory, AGRA
 INCIDENT
At around 10.15 AM, few employees were transferring
adhesive from bigger to smaller containers.

Due to negligent smoking, flammable vapour present caught

fire & resulted into explosion.

Due to lack of primary containment of fire with fire fighting

equipments, fire spread very quickly to other portion of
the factory.

Exit gate being locked, around 60-70 employees assembled

on back side room having a window fitted with wire mesh.

Tried to break the mesh, but failed & trapped in it.

Fire reported at Idgah fire station thro’ CCR - 10.32 AM

Fire Service reported at site - 10.45 AM.

View of window fitted with wire mesh
 FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION
Fire fighting alongwith rescue operation started : 250-300
employees trapped inside were rescued by fire service personnels
assisted by locals by breaking exit channel lock & window wire
mesh.

.
FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION

Due to high flame intensity & ongoing explosions, all

others trapped in back side portion could not be rescued.
 FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION

Meanwhile all top district officials arrived at site and directed

fire service of nearby districts, Air Force, COD & Army.
 FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION

Huge crowd gathered.

Created law & order problem.
Hampered rescue & fire fighting operation.
District Police force managed the crowd with great difficulty.
 FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION
Detail Of Fire Service Units Involved :

 U.P.Fire Service, Agra

Water Tender - 6
Foam Tender - 1
Diesel Pump - 2
Personnel Deployed - 75
 U.P. Fire Service, Firozabad
Water Tender - 2
Personnel Deployed - 12
 U.P. Fire Service, Mathura
Water Tender - 1
Personnel Deployed - 5
 U.P. Fire Service, Hathras
Water Tender - 1
Personnel Deployed - 6
 FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION
 COD, Agra
Water Tender - 1
Personnel Deployed - 7
 Fire Service, Mathura Refinery
Water Tender - 1
Personnel Deployed - 3
 Air Force Station, Agra
Water Tender - 1
C.F.T - 2
Transport Vehicles - 2
Ambulance - 1
Personnel Deployed - 24
 Army Personnel Deployed - 185
 Heavy Cranes - 4
 Ambulances From Govt. Hospitals - 12

Fire Controlled At - 2.45 PM

 FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION

Rescue operation started for searching of trapped casualties by

breaking rear wall of the room along with dousing of pocket fires .
FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION
FIRE FIGHTING & RESCUE OPERATION
• Around 39 casualties completely burnt brought down & shifted
to hospital.

• Army & fire vehicles of Air Force, COD & nearby district returned
to their respective units at 7.00 PM

• Fire Service, Agra remained at site for searching operation of

casualties and extinguishing the smouldering fire.

• Two more casualties were searched & shifted to hospital on

25, May 2002.

• On 26, May 2002. Hon’ble chief minister visited the site and
appreciated the efforts made by local administration in handling
the fire disaster.

• Fire and rescue operation continued up to 28, May 2002.

• Later on 3 casualties expired during treatment in hospital.
 LOSS OF LIFE & PROPERTY

Total No. of casualties - 44

Total No. of Persons injured - 10
Approx. Cost of property at risk - Rs. 8.83 Crores
Approx. Cost of property damaged - Rs. 1.05 Crores
Approx. Cost of property saved - Rs. 7.78 Crores
RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED IN MAGISTERIAL
INQUIRY OF INCIDENT
Registration of all the unregistered shoe factories.
Training in handling hazardous material, operation of fire fighting
equipments, evacuation procedures for the workers employed in the
factories.
Chief fire officer should be empowered for the enforcement &
upkeepment of fire & safety arrangements in the factories.
Sufficient storage of water for handling fire incidents either in the
form of overhead tank or in the under ground tank.
Storage of flammable materials like adhesives at a safe place away
from the work place.
Provision of min. 2 exit gates.
‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Fire Service Deptt. for
enforcement of fire & safety requirements in the factories to be
mandatory before the renewal of factory license under U.P. factories
Act.
 EXTRACT FROM U.P FACTORIES ACT,1948
• Mandatory registration of factory by Factory Deptt. with its
subsequent renewal if 10 or more workers are involved in
manufacturing process.

• Mandatory approval of plans of factory premises including type,

category & other details.

• Section 7(a) - Every occupier shall ensure the health, safety &
welfare of the workers while at work .

• Section 13 - Effective & suitable provision for ventilation.

• Section 16 - Proper space or no over crowding in a factory.

Minimum occupant load – 4.2 Cu. M / Person.

• Section 17 - Sufficient & suitable lighting in the premise.

• Section 21 - Safety / fencing guard for machines
EXTRACT FROM U.P FACTORIES ACT, 1948

Section 29 - Provision of lifting machine / chain pulley.

Section 31 - Provision of only standardize pressure vessels

with its periodical testing by a competent person.

Section 32 - Sound construction & properly maintained

floors, steps, passages & gangways.

Section 38 - Provision of safe means of escape for all the

persons in the event of fire with necessary
equipment & facilities as prescribed
for extinguishing fire. Familiarization of
workers with means of escape & their training
accordingly.

Section 45 - Provision of medical first aid box.

Section 67 - Prohibition of employment of a person below 14

yrs. of age.
REQUIREMENT OF FIRE & SAFETY FOR A LEATHER FACTORY
AS PER NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA

(FOR BUILT UP AREA MORE THAN 500 M2 & 1000 M2)

Minimum 2 staircases out of which one shall open directly to the

exterior or to an open area.

Cap. of exit in accordance with section 4.4 of NBC Part-IV.

No flame or ignition to be allowed in the room storing/ using volatile

flammable substances.

Proper care of faulty electrical connection.

Storage of flammable liquids shall be as per Petroleum Act, 1934.

Occupant load - 10 Sq.M / Person.

REQUIREMENT OF FIRE & SAFETY FOR A LEATHER FACTORY
AS PER NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA

First Aid Fire Fighting Equipment as per IS-2190.

Hose Reel.
Wet Riser.
Down Comer.
Yard Hydrant.
Automatic Sprinkler System.
Manually operated Electric Fire Alarm System.
U/ g Static Water Storage Tank of cap. 75000 lts.
Terrace tank of cap. 20000 lts.
REQUIREMENT OF FIRE & SAFETY FOR A LEATHER FACTORY
AS PER NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA

Fire Pumps With Min. Pressure of 3.5 Kg/ Cm2

1 No. Electric Pump of Cap. 2280 Lpm

1 No. Diesel Pump of Cap. 2280 Lpm

1No. Electric Pump of Cap. 180 Lpm

1 No. Terrace Pump of Cap. 900 Lpm

On the basis of the recommendations submitted
in the Magisterial Inquiry and no. of severe fire
incidents, the Govt. of U.P. has enforced U P
Fire Prevention & Fire Safety Act- 2005. Which
includes the fire & safety requirements
mentioned in Building bye-laws, National
Building Code of India and any other law for the
time being in force for the Buildings / Premises
mentioned in the aforesaid Act to avoid
reoccurrence of such type of incidents in future
which may result into colossal National loss in
terms of life and property.
MAIN FEATURES OF THE ACT
• SECTION – 2 – DEFINITIONS
– BUILDINGS: MEANS A HOUSE, OUT HOUSE, STABLE,
LATRINE, URINAL, SHED, HUT, WALL ( OTHER THAN
A BOUDARY WALL) OR ANY OTHER STRUCTURE
WETHER OF MASONARY, BRICKS, MUD, METAL OR
OTHER MATERIAL.
– PREMISES : MEANS ANY LAND OR ANY BUILDING OR
PART OF THE BUILDING APARTNENT THERTO
WHICH IS USED FOR STORING EXPLOSIVE
SUBSTANCES AND DANGEROUSLY INFLAMMABLE
SUBSTANCES.
– AND OTHER DEFENITIONS
SECTION – 3 OF THE ACT
( INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS, PREMISES
ETC. )

• THIS SECTION DEFINES THE ENTRY PROCEDURES IN A

BUILDING / PREMISES BY THE NOMINATED
AUTHORITY AS DEFINED IN THE ACT.
SECTION - 4
MEASURES FOR PREVENTION &
FIRE SAFETY
• THIS SECTION DEFINES THE
PROCEDURES FOR RECORDING THE
DEVIATION OR CONTRAVENTIONS WITH
REGARD TO FIRE PREVENTION & FIRE
SAFETY MEASURES AS DEFINED IN THE
BUILDING BYE LAWS, N. B. C. OF INDIA
FOR DIRECTING TO THE OWNER OR
OCCUPIER OF THE AFFORESAID
BUILDING OR PREMISES.
SECTION-5
POWER TO SEAL BUILDINGS OR
PREMISES.
• THIS SECTION DEALS WITH SEALING
PROCEDURES OF THE BUILDING /
PREMISES ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF NOMINATED AUTHORITY BY THE
DISTT. MAGISTRATE.
SECTION – 6
PROVISIONS REGARDING CERTAIN
BUILDINGS AND PREMISES.
• THIS SECTION IMPOWERS CHIEF FIRE
OFFICER TO ENTER AND INSPECT ANY
BUILDING INCLUDING A BUILDING
UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR
ASCERTAINING THE ADEQUACY OF FIRE
SAFETY MEASURES AS PER THE
PROCEDURES LAID DOWN IN THE
AFFORESAID SECTION.
SECTION – 8
DEFAULT POWERS OF CHIEF FIRE
OFFICER
• THIS SECTION IMPOWERS C. F. O. TO
TAKE SUCH STEPS AS MAY BE
NECESSARY FOR THE COMPLIANCE OF
SUCH NOTICES ISSUED UNDER SECTION
4 OR 6 OF THE ACT.
SECTION – 9 (APPEAL)

• THIS SECTION DEFINE THE PROCEDURES

TO APPEAL AGAINST THE NOTICES OF
THE NOMINATED AUTHORITY OR THE
C.F.O. TO THE STATE GOVT.
SECTION – 10
(BAR OF JURISDICTION OF
COURTS )
• THIS SECTION DEFINES THAT NO COURT
SHALL ENTERTAIN ANY SUIT,
APPLICATION OR OTHER PROCEEDINGS
IN RESPECT OF ANY NOTICE OR ORDER
UNDER THIS ACT AND NO SUCH NOTICE
OR ORDER SHALL BE CALLED IN
QUESTION OTHERWISE THAN BY
PREFERING AN APPEAL UNDER THIS ACT.
SECTION – 11 ( PENALTIES )
• THIS SECTION DEALS WITH THE PENALTIES IN
CASE OF CONTRAVENTION OF ANY PROVISION
OF THIS ACT FOR A TERM WHICH MAY EXTEND
TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT OR WITH FINE
WHICH MAY EXTEND TO ONE LAC RUPEES OR
WITH BOTH AND WHERE THE OFFENCES IS A
CONTINUING ONE WITH A FURTHER FINE
WHICH MAY EXTEND TO Rs. 5000/- FOR EVERY
DAY AFTER THE FIRST DURING WHICH SUCH
OFFENCE CONTINUE.
SECTION – 13
( SANCTION OF PROSECUTION )
• THIS SECTION DEFINES THAT NO COURT
SHALL PROCEED TO THE TRIAL OF AN
OFFENCE UNDER THIS ACT, EXCEPT ON
THE COMPLAINT OR UPON INFORMATION
RECEIVED FROM THE NOMINATED
AUTHORITY.
SECTION – 14
( JURISDICTION )
• THIS SECTION DEFINES THAT NO COURT
INFERIOR TO THAT OF CHIEF JUDICIAL
MAGISTRATE SHALL TRY AN OFFENCE
PUNISHABLE UNDER THIS ACT.
CONCLUSION
• APART FROM THIS ACT, THE GOVT. OF UTTAR
PRADESH HAS ALSO ISSUED SERVAL G.O.s TO
ENFORCE STRICTLY FOR ADHERANCE OF FIRE
SAFETY MEASURES IN THE BUILDINGS OR
PREMISES SENSITIVE/ VULNERABLE FROM FIRE
SAFETY POINT OF VIEW TO AVOID
REOCCURENCE OF SUCH INCIDENTS OF FIRE
WHICH MAY RESULT INTO COLOSSAL LOSS OF
HUMAN LIFE AND NATIONAL PROPERTY.