Cochin Fire Tech / Hydro Tech

24/01/2020

Carbon monoxide poisoning.
Incidents involving CO poisoning in hotels, motels and resorts were reported recently. Such poisoning has continued in the past also. A potential solution to the problem is need of the day. It represents failure of both government and the lodging industry.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fire takes place in confined areas or when very old equipments burn or release from any heating equipments. This gas is a silent killer because it is imperceptible to human senses. Hemoglobin of human blood has greater affinity to CO than Oxygen. Inhalation of CO will lead to muscular fatigue and later to death.
These poisoning occurred in a majority of hotels of all classes, including those classified as luxury. It does not appear that one can avoid poisoning by paying more for lodging. Most of the injuries and fatalities suffered by these individuals could likely have been prevented had CO alarms been installed in each hotel room. Unfortunately smoke alarms do not detect carbon monoxide.
The lodging industry has to install CO alarms in in guest rooms. It is now possible to purchase a sealed residential CO alarm in low cost. Optimally, in the case of public lodgings, hard wired and centrally monitored combination smoke and CO alarms should be installed for maximum safety of the occupants.
The vacation rental industry is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to hotels and motels for short term vacation lodging and is expected to continue its growth. The rentals are listed in web sites and are convenient to book. The sites allow the user to search for rent features, including the presence or absence of a CO alarm, detector, fire detection facilities, fire protection arrangements and means of escape facilities for the safety of the occupants.
CO poisoning is not a reportable condition and tracking CO poisoning is quite difficult. The major limitation of this study is the potential for failure to identify incidents. CO poisoning may not have been recognized by medical providers owing to its nonspecific symptoms.
The functional lodging industry shall take all initiative to install CO alarms in all the rooms. Government should mandate them as they do for smoke alarms. The technology has improved to the point where it is dependable, reliable and inexpensive. Until rooms are outfitted with CO alarms, travelers should consider carrying one when staying in a facility not known to be so equipped.

B.Radhakrishnan Nair.
Chief Fire Officer (Retd)
Cochin Port Trust.

Director.
Cochin Firetech India Pvt.Ltd.
Ernakulam.

10/10/2018

10/10/2018

The fire extinguishers installed in any building is meant for the safety and protection of the building as well as the occupants. These first aid fire fighting equipment's are very useful in the initial stages of fire. These are very valuable if used promptly and efficiently in the early stages of fire .The portability, mobility,immediate availability and use by one person during emergency is of high value. The usefulness of fire extinguishers is entirely depended up on the presence of persons having knowledge to operate them.The type of fire extinguisher and its capacity should commensurate with the risk that is intended to cover. It is further recommended that the extinguishers installed in any one building or single occupancy shall be similar in shape and appearance and should have the same method of operation.

All the occupants in the building shall be trained in the operation of fire extinguisher.Delay in selecting and operating the fire extinguisher may worsen the situation. Wastage of extinguishing media, use of more number of extinguisher etc may be needed to control or extinguish fire.

Class labels, method of operation etc are clearly marked in the sticker on the fire extinguisher,which is to be noted and learnt during peace time so that the knowledge acquired wiil be useful during emergency. Lack of knowledge about what to do during emergency Leeds to more accidents.
Fire prevention is every bodys job.

B.Radhakrishnan Nair.
BSc., GIFE. Ad.DFE. Grade I.Fire .E.(UK)
Chief Fire Officer (Retd)
Cochin Port Trust.
Cheif Consultant.
Hydrotech. Ernakulam.

14/08/2018

Safety in offices.
There is a general feeling that offices are safe. Office can be safe ,if you make it safe. Many office accidents do happen. Lacks of office employees do suffer injuries, some of them disastrous.Mishaps are costly in terms of pain, discomfort,disruption in work,lost wages,expenses and insurance cost.
the main course of mishaps are negative attitudes and bad habits.some of them are
1. Over confidence. It could never happen to me.
2. Stubbornness I will do it in my own way.
3. Sarcasm What safety, safety is kids subject.
4. Carelessness Why should I bother.
5. Impatience. It will take a lot of time to do it in safe way.
6. Ignorance. I was not aware, it is dangerous to do it in that way.
7. Laziness. It will take a lot of effort and trouble to do it in the right way.
8. Forgetfulness. I wantd to to do it in safe way,but I forget it.
9.Showing off. No problem see how I do it.

If you avoid the above, you can help in reducing threat to your safety and health, ..

B.Radhakrishnan Nair.

24/07/2018

PANIC IN A BUILDING ON FIRE MAY BE UNCONTROLLABLE. Panic seldom develops even in the presence of potential danger,so long as occupants of building are moving towards exits which they can see within a reasonable distance and with no obstruction or undue congestion in the path of travel. Any uncertainty as to the location or adequacy of means of escape ,the presence of smoke,or fumes and the stoppage of travel towards the exit, such as may occur when one person stumbles and falls on stairs, may be conductive to panic. Danger from panic is greater when a large number of people are trapped in a confined area particularly when people are not adequately guided towards egress and safety notifications are not implemented or practiced. Consideration towards announcements and annunciations need to be given to guide the occupants to safe egress routes and to control panic during situations of distress..

26/10/2017

Fire drills shall be conducted in high rise buildings once every three months during the first two years. Thereafter at least once in every six months.All occupants of the building shall participate in the fire drill. A written record of such drills shall be kept on the premises .
This helps for an orderly and safe evacuation of its occupants in case of a fire or any other emergency.

26/09/2017

Thank you all Friends.

This page provides assistance for fire and safety training , pollution control , personal safety , means of escape ,safe handling of hazardous chemicalsetc

12/09/2017

During a fire incident or other emergencies in high rise buildings dont use the lift for your escape., because,
1. All the occupants may not be aware of lift operation.
2. the lift operator him self may ran off.
3.The lift may stop in between floor due to power failure.
4. The lift tunnel may be filled with smoke and fumes.

29/08/2017

Panic is a sudden seizer of terror engulfing an entire crowd of men. what fright is to the individual, panic is to the cowd.

24/08/2017

Means Of Escape.
All buildings should be designed such that occupants could escape when fire/emergency occurs.
to meet the requirement, it is essential to ensure that routes are
1.Of adequate capacity and number.
2.Travel distance is limited and acceptable.
3.Protected from fire and smoke.
4.Illuminated and signed in relevent wording to suit the country.

10/08/2017

The amount of material which is able to burn and release heat and smoke is normally referred to to as fire load. In a compartment limitation of fuel will help to reduce the dangers of heat and smoke.The building contents make up the majority of the fire load.