DSE 3A
DSE 3A
Disaster Management
1. Definition of Disaster –
A disaster is a serious problem occurring over a short or long period of time that causes
widespread human, material, economic or environmental loss which exceeds the ability of the
affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Disasters are routinely divided
into either "natural disasters" caused by natural hazards or "human-instigated disasters" caused
from anthropogenic hazards. However, in modern times, the divide between natural, human-
made and human-accelerated disasters is difficult to draw.
An event that causes a lot of harm or damage.
Examples of natural hazards:
Include avalanches, flooding, cold waves and heat waves, droughts, earthquakes,
cyclones, landslides, lightning, tsunamis, volcanic activity, wildfires, and winter precipitation.
Examples of anthropogenic hazards:
Include criminality, civil disorder, terrorism, war, industrial hazards, engineering
hazards, power outages, fire, hazards caused by transportation, and environmental hazards.
2. Definition of disaster management –
Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources
and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular,
preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
A comprehensive approach to preventing disasters and dealing with them.
It means that all such measures should be taken so that hazard cannot take the form of disaster.
Since we cannot prevent the coming of many natural hazards but can reduce their harmful
effects through proper management, so that the loss of life and property can be minimized. As
we know, the present danger is not from the natural disasters, but are the human disasters.
Disasters are the consequences of natural or human hazards. Therefore, through disaster
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management, we can prevent hazards from being turned into a disaster. Disaster management
broadly encompasses the management before, during and after a disaster. It simply means
planning of various steps to reduce the aftermath of a disaster, planning effective response
system, planning rehabilitation and also preparing disaster resilient communities in our very
own layman language.
Disaster Management
Disaster Management can be defined as: the systematic process of using administrative
decisions, organization, operational skills and capacities to implement policies and strategies
and enhance coping capacities of the society and communities to lessen the impacts of hazards
and related environmental and technological disasters. Disasters often differ in quantity of
damage caused or in quality of the type of medical consequences. For example, earthquakes
cause a lot of physical injury and fractures, floods cause drowning deaths and infections,
chemical leaks cause toxic manifestations, etc. The impact of different disasters demands
different type of response or management approach.
Disaster Management follows a multi-sectoral approach which includes bringing
together specialization of different domains into disaster management. Disaster Management
Officials must have prior coordination and agreements in place with government hospitals,
police authorities, fire- brigade personnel, youth organizations, NGOs. This will ensure
immediate response to the disaster with minimum chaos. Disaster Managers must ensure that
law and order is maintained and people receive adequate information about their missing family
members and relatives, regarding their living status and location. Disaster Managers must get
a resource mapping done of the community so as to have available resources on time when
required. Also, mock drill can be conducted with community so that they don’t panic in times
of disaster and quickly move to safe shelters which are pre-located during the time of resource
mapping. Various resources to be located can be: Water source, safe shelter for community in
times of flood, earthquake, cyclone etc., disaster helpline number, medical assistance number,
fire brigade number.
IMPORTANCE OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT:
Millions of people are affected by disasters each year. Effective disaster management
is essential to reduce suffering and support those affected. Here are 10 reasons why disaster
management is important.
1. Saves Lives:
During disasters, a crisis is an acute event that is fast moving and changing. Therefore,
effective emergency planning and response is vital. A lack of coordination and response to
disasters can have serious and long-lasting impacts on a community and can also lead to more
deaths. Disaster management can help to enhance the ability of emergency responders to save
lives. When appropriate infrastructure is set up and training is completed to improve disaster
response, communities can survive the stress and distress caused by disasters.
2. Improves Community Resilience:
When disaster strikes, response teams have the unenviable task of trying to help people
in extreme conditions. The task can be extremely tough as an unprepared and untrained
response team will have limited knowledge of the people they are working with. However,
training helps to improve the effectiveness of a disaster management response team. Having
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the skills needed to help people in extreme conditions is one of the key elements of disaster
management training.
3. Promotes Disease Prevention:
Disasters cause an enormous number of deaths. However, they also create an additional
health risk to those affected. People affected by disasters are frequently exposed to a range of
illnesses which can cause further death. Communicable diseases, such as malaria, are much
more likely to occur during and after a disaster because a lack of healthcare facilities, clean
water, food and proper hygiene is common. Through disaster management practices,
communities can improve their health and mitigate the impact of disasters.
4. Reduces Poverty:
A natural disaster can have devastating effects on a community. It can push people into
poverty and change the lives of entire communities. However, a lot of people affected by a
disaster are more likely to stay poor if they are not prepared. A lack of planning prior to a
disaster can leave people without basic emergency supplies like food, water, clothing or
medicine. By better preparing for disasters, communities can mitigate the threat of poverty,
hunger and disease.
5. Improves Health:
Disasters, along with their aftermaths, can have a negative effect on a community’s
health. Disasters, along with lack of health services and clean water can lead to increased
sickness, lack of immunity and a higher risk of infection. Therefore, it is essential that
communities have access to health professionals, have a good supply of water and adequate
sanitation facilities, and have access to emergency medical care during and after a disaster.
6. Reshapes Communities:
Disasters can have a huge impact on the local economy. Communities often suffer huge
financial losses during a disaster and therefore may struggle to cope with these losses. A
disaster can also impact the social fabric of a community. In this way, disaster management
can help communities rebuild their communities and reconnect people with each other.
Communities can begin to rebuild their local infrastructure after a disaster, which will also
improve the economic health of a community. In many cases, this will benefit the economy as
a whole, while also improving the environment in which people live.
7. Strengthens Security:
Terrorist groups exploit disasters to cause further bloodshed and chaos. The causes and
consequences of disasters can act as a magnet for people with bad intentions to commit acts of
terrorism. There are some social conditions which make terrorist activities more likely in
certain areas. Examples include poor governance, overcrowding and high levels of poverty.
After a disaster, communities must be vigilant in the protection of their security.
8. Promotes Stability:
Disasters can disrupt social order, economic activity, and the flow of trade. At their
worst, disasters can create insecurity, mistrust, ethnic tensions, hatred and violence. These
conflicts, if not addressed, can negatively impact the stability of communities and the
effectiveness of local security forces. After a disaster, people who would normally rely on law
enforcement agencies to provide security are likely to turn to alternative sources of law and
order. This may increase the amount of crime and violence which takes place.
9. Promotes the Protection of Natural Resources:
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Disasters can be devastating to the lives of people living in an area and can cause
environmental degradation. If a disaster negatively affects the environment or local
ecosystems, it may also lead to species extinctions, loss of indigenous knowledge, and the
general destruction of entire ecosystems. At the same time, disasters can also have a detrimental
impact on the social and economic structure of a community, leaving it vulnerable to social
instability and human trafficking. Communities must plan for disasters and work to secure their
natural resources to ensure they are prepared for the next disaster.
10. Strengthens Social Contracting and Trust:
Disasters can undermine social and political stability. Governments, large corporations
and other important organizations often fail to provide people with protection during or after a
disaster, which can lead to increasing social inequalities, distrust, hostility and violence. This,
in turn, can lead to weaker social institutions and increased individual susceptibility to
aggression and coercion.
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disasters and manmade (biologic, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive, or "BNICE")
disasters.
Mass Casualty Management is the care and transport of casualties when the number of
casualties exceed available resources.
This means changing not only the response plan but the focus as well. In day-to-day
operations resources are dedicated to care for individual patients. In mass casualty care,
resources are distributed to care for the group.
In a healthcare facility setting the terms surge and surge capacity are often used. Surge
is defined as a sudden or unexpected increase in patient volume, typically over a short period
of time and due to a specific incident or incidents. Surge capacity is a measurement of the
physical and personnel assets available to handle a surge.
TYPES OF DISASTER:
Disaster can be categorized based upon different criteria, as based upon speed, it can
be of two types, Slow-onset disaster, and Rapid onset disaster. Slow-onset disaster is such type
of disaster that occurs slowly and slowly over time. Whereas, Rapid onset disaster is a disaster
that occurs rapidly without any warning. Based upon origin/cause, disasters are of two types,
Natural disasters, and man-made disasters. Natural Disaster is a disaster that occurs naturally
while a man-made disaster which occurs through human interference.
A. Based on Origin/Cause:
Another category of disaster is based on origin/cause:
Natural Disaster:
The State approach for disaster prevention and mitigation will be multi-hazard as it is
Vulnerable to all-major natural hazards such as Earthquake,
Landslide/rockfall/mudslide/Flood/ flashflood, Cyclone/high speed
wind/thunderstorm/hailstorm/heavy snow/ fire /forest fire etc.
There are several prevention/mitigation activities which will be common for natural
hazards. The same are describe below. Hazard specific measures are mentioned thereafter in
the chapter.
Earthquake:
In most earthquakes, the collapse of structures like houses, schools, hospitals and public
buildings results in the widespread loss of lives and damage. Past earthquakes show that over
95 per cent of the lives lost were due to the collapse of buildings which were not earthquake-
resistant. In such situation, the losses can be reduced if all structures in earthquake-prone areas
are built in accordance with earthquake-resistant construction techniques and by following the
Building Bye Laws. The earthquake specific mitigation activities are described below;
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Structural & Non-Structural Measures: -
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4. Monitoring of 1. Establish seismological network and SEOC/DEOC
seismic round Dept. of IPR
activities the clock monitoring Dept of S & T
2. Dissemination of information and Police Control Room
reporting All Dett
3. Conduct seismological research GSI
GB Pant Institute of
Himalayan Studies
Non-Structural Measures: -
Sl.no Task Activities Responsibility
1. Capacity 1. Departmental earthquake SDMA/ SEC
Building contingency plan Dept. of DM
2. Ensure earthquake related Education &
departmental action Technical
plan and SOP Dept
3. Include earthquake engineering topics ATI/ SIRD
in DDMA/District
curriculum Admn.
4. Provide professional training about SDRF/ Police
earthquake All Deptt.
resistance construction to engineers and
architects
5. Provide training to masons.
6. Encourage soil and material testing in
laboratories
2. Awareness 1 To disseminate earthquake risk to SDMA/ DDMA
general Dept of DM
public residing in earthquake prone Dept of IPR
zones District
2 Campaign for Earthquake safety tips Administration
ATI/ SIRD
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Structural Measures
SL.No. Task Activities Responsibility
1. Construction 1. Improvement of design for WRD
irrigation and District
flood protective structures Administration
2. Construction of dams, flood Hydro-power
protection wall, UD & Housing
flood diverting channels etc. Forest
3. Strengthening/repair of existing All other Works Dept
roads and
bridges and other critical
infrastructure in
flood plains.
4. Strengthening of dams and canals.
2. Development of 1. Development of catchment area of All Engineering
catchment area the flood Deptt
plain WRD
Forestation Dept. of Forest &
Land sloping Environment/ SFRI
Small reservoirs/Check dams/ponds Agriculture/
etc. Horticulture
PRIs/ ULBs
Distt Administration
3. Flood Proofing 1. Specific building by laws for flood WRD
plains Dept. of Town
Planning.
All Line Dept.
4. Techno-legal 1. Enactment and enforcement of SDMA/DDMA.
regime laws WRD
regulating developmental activities in Dept. of Town
flood Planning.
plain Dept. of
Environment and
Forests
Dept. of Rural
Development
All Line Depts.
District Admn
5. Forecasting and 1. Strengthening and Upgradation of SDMA/DDMA
Warning. existing Flood forecasting system WRD
2. Establish infrastructure for flood CWC
warning and dissemination. IMD
District Adm
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Non-structural measures: -
S no. Task Activities Responsibility
1. Capacity 1. Departmental flood contingency WRD
Building. plan All Line Deptt
2. Flood related departmental action Dept. of DM
plan and District. Admn.
SOP
3. Imparting training to the
stakeholders
involved in flood mitigation and
management
2. Awareness 1. Disseminate flood risk to general
SDMA/DDMA
public WRD
residing in flood prone zones IPR
2. Campaign for Flood safety tips.
CWC/IMD/ PHED
District Admn.
3. Review of rules Review of operational rules for SDMA/DDMA
reservoirs. Hydro-Power
WRD
Dept. Of
Environment and
Forests
Dept. of Planning.
All Line Dept.
District Admn.
Avalanches:
Avalanches are a sudden, drastic flow of snow down through a slope, occurring
naturally, such as through the loading of new snow or rain, or artificial triggers, such as
explosives, overload the snowpack. The first response is that you can Shut off utilities;
Evacuate the building if necessary; Determine the impact on the equipment and facilities and
any disruption.
Earthquakes:
The sudden shaking of the earth's crust, is mainly caused by volcanic eruptions or the
breaking and shifting of tectonic plates beneath the earth's surface. The first response is to Shut
off utilities; Evacuate buildings if necessary; Determine the impact on the equipment and
facilities and any disruption
Flood:
A type of flood, Flash flood, is rapid flooding caused by excess or heavy rain in a short
period of time. The first response to flood disasters is to Monitor flood advisories; Determine
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flood potential to facilities; Pre-stage emergency power generating equipment; Assess the
damage.
Landslide:
Geological phenomenon which includes movements of ground movements, such as
rock falls, deep failure of slopes, and shallow debris flows. The first response to a landslide is
to, shut off utilities; Evacuate the building if necessary; Determine the impact on the equipment
and facilities and any disruption.
Hurricane:
Heavy rains and high winds Power off all equipment; listen to hurricane advisories;
Evacuate the area, if flooding is possible; Check gas, water, and electrical lines for damage;
Do not use telephones, in the event of severe lightning; Assess the damage.
Tornado:
Tornado is a Violent rotating column of air from the base of a thunderstorm to the
ground. The first response to a tornado is to, monitor tornado advisories; Power off equipment;
Shut off utilities (power and gas); Assess damage once the storm passes.
Tsunami:
A series of long waves hitting shores strongly commonly caused by the displacement
of a large volume of a body of water, mainly on an ocean or a large lake. This type of disaster
is caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, underwater explosions, landslides, glacier
calving, meteorite impacts, and other disturbances above or below water. The first response to
a tsunami is to, Power off all equipment; listen to tsunami advisories; Evacuate the area, if
flooding is possible; Check gas, water, and electrical lines for damage; Assess the damage.
Man-made Disaster
Manmade disasters are unpredictable and can spread across geographical boundaries.
Some disasters in this class are entirely manmade while other may occur because of natural
disasters, equipment failures, or workers are under trained, ill equipped, less qualified or over
worked resulting into technical errors/ accidents. Technological disasters include a broad range
of incidents. Routes of exposure through water and food, airborne releases, fires and
explosions, and hazardous materials or waste (e.g., chemical, biological, or radioactive)
released into the environment from a fixed facility or during transport. Fires, explosions,
building or bridge collapses, transportation crashes, dam or levee failures, nuclear reactor
accidents, and breaks in water, gas, or sewer lines are other examples of technological disasters
Bioterrorism:
The intentional release or dissemination of biological agents such as viruses, bacteria,
or other germs that affect people, livestock, crops, etc. The first response to this disaster is to
spread the information immediately from public health officials via the news media as to the
right course of action, if you think you have been exposed, quickly remove your clothing and
wash off your skin.
Civil unrest:
Civil unrest is mass violence such as through demonstrations, riots, strikes, etc. It is a
disturbance that is caused by a group of people which is intended to be a demonstration to the
public and the government.
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Hazardous material spills:
The escape of solids, liquids, or gaseous agents that can affect people, other living
organisms, property, or the environment from a controlled environment such as a container.
The first response available against this disaster is first to leave the area and call the local fire
department for help.
Nuclear and radiation accidents:
An accident or event which involves the significant release of a radioactive substance
from the environment or a reactor core that leads to major undesirable consequences to people,
the environment, or the facility. The first response available against this disaster is to gather,
assess and disseminate all available information to first responders.
Based upon Speed
The categorization is, one of the criteria for categorization of disaster is based on the
speed:
Classification Based on the speed
Slow onset Disaster
A slow-onset disaster is a disaster that occurs gradually over a period of time. It is not
the impact of a single awful occasion; it is the result of frequent degradation. Slow-onset
disaster mainly affects environmental changes. Global climate warming, weather change, soil
degradation, desertification, droughts,
Rapid onset Disaster
A rapid-onset disaster is a disaster that occurs rapidly without any warning and causes
a destructive effect. The destruction caused by this type of disaster is so immediate that it causes
major impacts. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, flash floods, etc.
Slow Onset Disaster
Slow Onset Disaster that occurs gradually over the years. It impacts slowly the disaster
prevails for many days, months, on even years. Such disaster includes:
Global Warming
Climate Change
Desertification
Droughts
Environmental degradation,
A pest infestation,
Famine, are an example of a slow-onset disaster.
Global Warming:
Global Warming is the average increase in the earth's temperature and in the
troposphere which contributes to changes in global climate patterns. In common parlance,
“global warming” is referred to as the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions
of greenhouse gases from human activities. Global warming occurrence can be both natural
and human-induced. Climate Change: Climate change is a long-term shifting of temperature
and weather patterns. There are different effects of climate change such as global warming,
busing of combustion & fossil fuels, the release of carbon dioxide, etc.
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Desertification:
Desertification is defined as the degradation of fertile land which later on gets
converted into a desert by losing its flora and fauna. Desertification is an example of a slow-
onset disaster, it can take years to convert fertile land into desert. It can be caused because of
global warming, climate change, etc.
Drought:
This is defined as the condition which is a moisture deficit relative to the average water
availability at a given location and season"
Rapid Onset Disaster:
A disaster that is triggered by an instantaneous shock. The impact of this disaster is
short-lived or long-term. Some examples of rapid-onset disasters are earthquakes, cyclones,
flash Floods, volcanic eruptions, etc. Impact of this type of disaster is highly impactful as it
does not give any time to take prevention. The effects caused by rapid-onset disasters are highly
shocking as it is causing major destruction.
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pregnant and lactating women.
Rehabilitation phase-
The help from the government and other non-governmental organizations with the
resources and facilities so as to enable victims to return back to their own homes, pursue their
occupation, so that they can sustain their life on their own, is bound to taper in due course.
Thus, they are provided with a whole new environment, adequate enough to pursue a normal
or at least near normal life. This is called rehabilitation. During rehabilitation phase, adequate
care is taken to follow all safety measure to prevent and minimize future impact of hazard.
Also, the sustainable development approach is kept in mind while keeping restructuring the
community. During this phase, earthquake resistant houses are built, tsunami preventions are
taken while building houses, cyclone resistant houses and flood resistant raised platform houses
are built. Also, during rehabilitation, the community is settled in a safe location and as far as
possible mixed community settlements are preferred to eliminate social issues of caste and
class.
Prevention phase-
This is the phase which indicates the start of pre-disaster phase. It engrosses measures
to be taken in order to prevent a specific disaster from happening. There are different measures
required for different disasters. Working on this phase is the responsibility primarily of the
government. The actions taken in this phase are required to be of high quality and long-term
benefit. Only the government has the strength to implement these activities with high funds
and necessary resources in place. The measures include increasing the capacity of a dam to
prevent floods, activities promoting Communal harmony at all levels to prevent riots, high
construction and safety standards in industries and government offices and all other structures
in order to prevent fire. Prevention should be at all levels- community level, local level and
government level.
Mitigation phase-
The notion of this phase is to mitigate the impact of a disaster if ever a disaster takes
place. This phase includes technology and scientific techniques too. For example, predicting
the path, time to be taken of a cyclone after knowing that it is approaching the country is one
mitigation strategy so as to avoid losses of lives and property. Having a natural mangroves
plantation along the coast is one mitigation measure. Construction of earthquake resistant
buildings is another mitigation measure. Working on mitigation phase is also the responsibility
of the government because such initiative at the local and community level is very difficult as
huge funds and resources are required.
Preparedness phase-
This phase involves the development of awareness among the population on the general
aspects of disaster and on how to behave in the face of a future disaster. This includes education
on warning signs of disasters, methods of safe and successful evacuation and first aid measures.
Preparedness must be on part of individual organizations as well as community as a whole.
Preparedness phase also deals with the preparations which are needed on individual,
community, authoritative level when a disaster occurrence cannot be avoided and a disaster is
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sure to happen. Community based disaster management plans must be formed with the help of
local NGOs.
Disaster Cycle:
DISASTER
PREPAREDNE RESPONSE
SS
RELIEF
MITIGATION
PREVENTION REHABILITATIO
N
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It is the number of victims that could be transported per hour to the neighboring
hospitals during the transportation and distribution phase of medical care.
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approximately 2,50,000 deaths in a year. The spectrum of occurrence of disasters indicates that
nearly twenty major disasters strike the world every year resulting in many deaths and several
casualties. Besides the major disasters, innumerable moderate and minor disasters strike the
world community every year.
Amongst the major disasters the floods, cyclones and earthquakes account for the
largest number of deaths, persons affected and damage inflicted. IFRC World Disaster Report
of 1999 indicates that 89,546 people were killed in 542 disaster events with average estimated
damages of 71.9 million dollars. Nearly 80 percent of deaths were due to natura! disasters. The
study of global statistics of disasters over three cleat-ice reveals that there is a significant
increase in impact of disasters.
The Asia-Pacific region witnesses a large number of natural disasters due to its
geographical location and geological make up. The Asia-Pacific region is most disaster prone
and is exposed to almost every type of natural hazard. Sixty percent of the major natural
disasters reported in the world occur in this region.
Indian Scenario
The frequency distribution of disasters in the Asian region between 1964 and 1986
showed that India is one of the most disaster-prone countries and faced the largest number of
disaster events in this region. India manifests natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, cyclone
and drought regular!}' due to the vast variation of geographical terrain and climatic conditions.
The effect of disaster is far more serious in this region. India With 2.4 percent of world land
area, seventh largest country in the world, wit}' fifteen percent of the world population and
population density of 273 persons per square kilometer makes the effect of disasters very
serious.
India is one of the most flood prone countries in the world Cir, an average, the area
affected by floods annually is about nine million hectares and accounts for one fifth of the
global death count due to floods. Out of the 96 internationally recognized natural disasters the
county experienced between 1960 and 1981, 28 were due to floods.
The country has about 56.3 percent of its total area amounting to 3.3 million square
kilometers as vulnerable to seismic activities of varying intensity. The entire northern part of
the Indian subcontinent from Hindukush to Eastern Himalayas lies in an earthquake prone belt
of violent subterranean volcanic activity. From Kashmir to the North East the geological
processes of rock formation and uplift makes the area earthquake prone. The earthquake prone
areas have witnessed over 31 major earthquakes in the last century. The 26 Jan 2001 earthquake
in Gujarat virtually flattened the Bhuj area, which resulted in death of over 30,000 people and
severe economic losses. The morbidity and mortality due to earthquake depends upon the
magnitude, intensity, focal depths, distance from epicenter and other parameters. Seismicity is
one of the most serious natural hazards to threaten the country.
The 5700-kilometer-long coastline of India is vulnerable to tropical cyclones arising in
the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Cyclonic storms have been causing considerable damage
to life and property in the coastal area of India, the havoc caused by the cyclone is mostly due
to strong winds, accompanied by torrential rains, tidal waves, and the resultant inundation.
Every year five to six cyclones occur out of which two to three may be severe. More cyclones
occur in the Bay of Bengal than in the Arabian Sea and the ratio of their frequencies is about
4: 1. The funnel shape of the Indian coastline and the shallow off shore waters act as catalysts
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in intensifying the cyclonic storms. Due •to the high density of population along the coastal
areas the devastation is also on a large scale. The severity of the effect of cyclone on the
community, risk potential and vulnerability make it inescapable that emphasis focus on
prevention and preparedness for response is laid to reduce loss of lives.
Many of the contemporary disasters have been man-made. India has been witnessing
an increasing incidence of man-made disasters. India faced one of the worst man-made
disasters on 03 December 1984 when the Bhopal gas tragedy occurred. The list of man-made
disasters like train accidents, aircraft crashes, fire in high rise buildings, mine disasters,
industrial and chemical disasters are ever increasing for various reasons. The spectrum of
occurrence of man-made disasters focuses attention on policy imperatives for disaster
management, preparedness and response to provide relief to the community.
Trends In Disaster Mortality: -
On a global level, the mortality generated by natural disasters shows a temporal increase
and geographical correlation. There is a significant increase in average mortality per event in
all categories of natural disasters over the ears as well as increase in mortality per 1000
population exposed. Geographically, the mortality generated by disasters is consistently and
positively correlated to the level of the economy. An event that causes the death of 125 people
in a high-income economy tends to cause the death of 33000 in a low-income economy.
Average per event mortality per 1000 population was 69 in low income, 28 in middle income
and one in a high-income economy.
It has been estimated that 90 percent of the deaths due to disasters occurs in the third
world. There is no evidence to suggest that the frequency of natural disasters will alter
significantly in immediate future. On the other hand, their effects will be more severe due to
high population growth, settlement in disaster prone areas, developmental stage of nation
affecting housing, environment, sanitation and living conditions in developing countries.
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contingent measures, not mainstream measures, that are treated consistently through adequate
policy responses in this regard on the part of governments. There is another significant
ramification to disaster management, which needs to be taken cognisance of. The need for
international cooperation for integrated action to combat the threat could not be understated.
Since natural disasters are not limited by natural boundaries, regional and international
cooperation is imperative to build capacity of governments at regional/global scale(s) to
combat the threat concertedly. Particularly, technology transfer to developing countries by the
developed to build capacity to fight disasters was emphasized as an imperative in the
conference. To that end, bilateral and multilateral assistance and financial resources need to be
mobilized by developed countries to support the efforts of developing countries towards
disaster preparedness and mitigation. Hence, technology transfer to developing countries along
with corresponding training should be attempted as a necessary requirement in concerted
disaster management.
In its tenth year of publication, The World Disasters Report, 2003, brought out by the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, called for disaster risk reduction targets
to be added to the international development goals for 2015 and beyond. These targets could
include reducing by half, the number of people killed and affected by disasters and increasing
the number of governments with dedicated plans and resources for risk reduction programs.
The World Disasters Report, 2003 contains criticism of over-reliance on high profile
aid operations, to save lives when long-term investment in disaster mitigation at the local level
have proven to be much more effective. No international aid effort was necessary when the
worst hurricane since 1944 hit Cuba in 2002, but only five people died. Local mechanisms
were in place to evacuate 700,000 people from Havana and other threatened areas. Of the
53,000 people rescued from the floodwaters in Mozambique’s two great floods, local people
saved 34,000.
Building Community Resilience: Stress on Social Capita
The follow up report, that is, the World Disasters Report, 2004, published by the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has ‘community resilience’
as its central theme. Community involvement and active participation in vulnerability reduction
efforts are being emphasized as essential strategy for effective policy towards vulnerability
reduction. The Report notes that, building community resilience for coping with disasters is
the right strategy to adopt, instead of misdirected international aid, most of which does not
reach the needy. It has been seen that people have been able to survive most adverse conditions
on the strength of their capacities. Therefore, the aid community is advised to concentrate on
the capacities of the vulnerable communities rather than their vulnerabilities and aim at
building/reinforcing the same as part of practical strategy to counter- effect vulnerabilities and
help people successfully combat disasters. A woman in Mumbai, to quote another instance, has
chosen to reside in a low-cost dwelling in a flood prone area because that would leave her
money to finance her daughter’ education (World Disasters Report, 2004).
This is following realization of the fact that active cooperation of communities is vital
for achieving real gains in both policy formulation and implementation. Synergetic partnership
between the government and people is essential to have a clear understanding, for instance, of
the cultural characteristics and organisational requirements in different societies/situations,
respectively and accordingly, specific policy requirements, as per assessed
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particularities/peculiarities, following insights into a society’s behavior and its interactions
with the physical and natural environment, for example, shifting cultivation among tribes in
North East or burning charcoal for cooking among tribal communities and poorer segments
generally, which were recently indicted as major causes of global warming.
There is need for awareness of the fact that unplanned urbanisation is creating newer
risks. It creates a case for general upgrading of administrative services as a long-term mitigation
strategy, particularly building capacities at the local level with active participation of the
people, since, as borne out by experience, national, or even international interventions are likely
to be less effective in tackling persistent problems like poor schools, poor quality housing,
sanitation, drainage, etc. The same has been realized in successive experiences with disasters
around the world, particularly, during the Bam Earthquake, when 34 search-and-rescue teams
from 27 countries flew to the city and saved 22 lives but, meanwhile, local Red Crescent teams
pulled 157 people alive from the rubble, using far fewer ‘sniffer’ dogs.
Post- Modern Trends
Post-modern cultural values premised on democratic pluralism and quality of life is
gaining credence in the post-industrial society facing the ills of development. It is a political
science conception that marks a sharp break away from earlier approaches towards governance
and towards life in general, so much so, that it could be termed revolutionary. Precisely, the
trend is towards people-centered governance, which is participatory and accountable, public
policy oriented towards sustainable development, in that pluralism and decentralization are
especially espoused virtues; in fact, preconditions for democratic governance, as is ‘diversity’
in all its forms which should be factored in public policy, as a necessary requirement for/in
good governance.
Science and Technology for Disaster Management
Currently, the All-Hazards Approach is being emphasized in America as a holistic
strategy to combat disasters. The understanding that underlines this approach is that all
disasters, irrespective of type can be dealt with on the basis of common knowledge/expertise
based on academic researches and preparedness, based on information derived thus and
constant updating of such knowledge. Its chief reliance is on science and technology for
capacity creation. It relies on creating capacity through R&D in science and technology to deal
with any and every kind of disaster(s), ranging from earthquake to terrorism, based on and
converting R&D to practice readily to attempt new and innovative ways to deal with crises,
whether natural and/or man made. For this purpose, collation of science and technology
expertise scattered across institutions within the aegis of a single agency is necessary that acts
as clearing house as well as a coordinating agency with respect to myriad disciplines/ concerns,
even within science involved in disaster management.
The Sub-Committee on Disaster Reduction (SDR) of the National Science and
Technological Council (NSTC) in the United States has articulated six important areas that
require continued energy and appropriate resources to meet the challenges of hazard risk
reduction. The same may be pertinent for all countries facing the threat of terrorism, which is
the single most horrifying disaster possibility in recent times.
1) Leveraging existing knowledge of natural and technological hazards to address
terrorism events
2) Improve hazard information data collection and prediction capability
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3) Ensure the development and widespread use of improved hazard and risk assessment
models and their incorporation into decision support tools and systems.
4) Speed the transition from hazard research to hazard management application
5) Increase mitigation activities and incentives
6) Expand risk communication capabilities, especially public warning systems and
techniques
Ultimately, effective public policy for disaster management is a result of
deliberation/cooperation between scientists, decision makers and informed citizens. It should
also be remembered that limiting disaster management to a technocratic perspective would
exclude many pertinent issues that fall within the domain of social sciences, for example,
greater relative vulnerability of the poor and the socially marginalized.
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• Comprehensive. It should encompass pre-hospital and hospital components.
• Adaptable and anticipatory. For effective operational functionality, the following possibilities
may be considered.
— Where the health care institution provides aid to a place where disaster has occurred.
— When the health care institution itself is the site of a disaster.
This ensures that early warning systems could be issued according to the disaster agent
affecting the populace. vulnerability and the resource availability.
• Part of a regional plan. Region could be a district, state, nation or a group of nations. It should
include the fire brigade, police and administrative components.
ESSENTIAL REQUISITES AND DISASTÄ PLANNING
The following are the essential requisites for effective disaster management.
Situational Analysis:
The various parameters which should be critically analyzed are the administrative and
medical set up, topographical and demographical characteristics of the area and consideration
mapping of the area under consideration. The presence of the area industries such as chemical
should be noted and incorporated in the plan.
Regionalization:
The disaster plan should integrate a region. There should be a an effective intra and
inter networking between the units of the regions and amongst the regions.
Effective Networking:
A ubiquitous characteristic feature in disaster management is a disproportion between
requirement and available resources. In order to achieve optimization of resources it is essential
that clubbing of resources may be restored to. This will ensure avoidance of gaps and
overlapping. Essentials of effective networking are situation, hazard and capability analysis,
inventory analysis of manpower, equipment and other pharmaceutical products, duties and
responsibilities of those involved in disaster management, standing operating procedures,
training, coordination and communication. Networking will enhance capabilities, optimize
output increase effectivity. Effective communication including use satellites phones,
INMARSAT and HAM is essential for networking.
Unified Medical Command:
There should be hierarchical chain o' command. This is essential for effective control
and avoidance of duplication actions/ resources. It will also ensure effective coordination of
the planning and execution of activities of all agencies including NGOs. This requisite has been
amply justified in managing recent disasters that had struck India viz, the earthquakes in Latur,
Bhuj and the cyclonic storm in Orissa.
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The reporting, recording, coordinating and evaluating activities associated with disaster
management should be specified and recorded in disaster manual. Disasters vary in terms of
severity, disruptive potential, frequency, predictability and duration. The plan should be for all
the phases of disaster, i.e., impact, emergency, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The State of Maharashtra has a comprehensive multi-hazard disaster management plan.
It includes information about disasters being conveyed to control rooms through a satellite-
based communication network. The standard operating procedures for all government
department would be automatically set in motion. Debris removal vehicles and fully equipped
rescue terms would be rushed from a predetermined locations to disaster zone. The plan lists
elaborate department wise initiatives. Each of the forty-three districts of Maharashtra has a
detailed multi hazard, response plan based on comprehensive risk assessment and vulnerability
analysis identifying disaster prone areas. There is an exhaustive database of demography,
economy infrastructure, geography, water, and soil conditions of all the 43,000 villages in the
states. The GIS (Geographical Information System) enables to know for instance which
primary school building could be used as a community shelter for evacuees. The mapping of
health centers and blood banks determines where to rush emergencies as well as relief teams
at the earliest. Alternate routes enable to reach any affected place in the shortest possible time.
Mitigation strategies are built into the response structure for coordinated response.
A disaster plan for a health care facility has been given in Annexure. It could suitably
modify depending on the nature and capability of a health care facility and resource availability.
Heat:
Heat can be generated by work processes and is an essential part of some processes
such as cooking. This heat must be controlled and kept away from fuel unless carefully
controlled. Heat generated as a by-product of a process must be dealt with properly.
Oxygen:
Oxygen gas is used
• in welding, flame cutting and other similar processes
• for helping people with breathing difficulties
• in hyperbaric chambers as a medical treatment
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• in decompression chambers
• for food preservation and packaging
• in steelworks and chemical plants.
The air we breathe contains about 21% oxygen. Pure oxygen at high pressure, such as from
a cylinder, can react violently with common materials such as oil and grease. Other materials
may catch fire spontaneously. Nearly all materials including textiles, rubber and even metals
will burn vigorously in oxygen.
Fuel:
Workplaces in which large amounts of flammable materials are displayed, stored or
used can present a greater hazard than those where the amount kept is small.
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3.Smoking:
Smoking is another major cause of fire in hospitals. This can be prevented by making
sure every hospital employee knows how to properly handle and dispose of cigarettes.
Smokers should never smoke inside a hospital building. If you must smoke outdoors, make
sure the cigarette is completely out before discarding it. Never leave a lit cigarette unattended,
and always use a proper ashtray for your cigarette butts and make sure you know where the
designated smoking areas are located in your hospital.
4.Hot surfaces, such as light bulbs and radiators:
Another common source of fires in hospitals is hot surfaces such as light bulbs and
radiators. Patients and visitors often forget to turn off these sources of heat before going home
at night, which can lead to fires starting overnight if they’re not noticed by staff members who
check on patients throughout the night. Many hospitals have policies that require patients to
turn off any electric devices before they leave their rooms, such as televisions and radios. You
can also ask staff members to make sure patients are following these rules when you leave for
the day. If you find that patients or visitors are not following these rules, talk to the hospital’s
administration about creating a stricter policy and conduct better fire drill training.
5.Cooking:
Cooking is one of the main causes of fire in hospitals. This can be due to a variety of
factors, including an increase in the number of staff who are able to walk around and cook their
own food, as well as an increase in the number of people coming into contact with electrical
appliances.
It’s important for hospitals to have proper fire safety measures in place so that these
fires don’t become dangerous. This includes conducting a Fire Risk Assessment and having a
fire alarm system, emergency lighting, smoke alarms, and sprinklers installed in each area
where there is cooking going on.
Conclusion:
Hospitals are fire-prone. That is due, in large part, to their other concerns: the presence
of flammable substances, volatile medical equipment, and patient neglect of smoking
regulations, all of that is exacerbated by overcrowding. The solution is to create a safe
environment in which fires can be contained, and the hospital’s staff can respond quickly
enough to prevent damage. By being aware of the top causes of fires in hospitals, you can better
help protect patients, staff, and visitors.
Classification of fire: -
Classes of Fires
There are four classes of fires:
Class A: Ordinary solid combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth, and some plastics.
Class B: Flammable liquids such as alcohol, ether, oil, gasoline, and grease, which are
best extinguished by smothering.
Class C: Electrical equipment, appliances and wiring in which the use or a
nonconductive extinguishing agent prevents injury from electrical shock. Don’t use water.
Class D: Certain flammable metallic substances such as sodium and potassium. These
materials are normally not found in the Medical Center.
Fire Extinguishers
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Fire extinguishers are classified as types A, ABC, BC or K. It is important to use the
right type of extinguisher on the specific class of fire to avoid personal injury or damage to
property. The wrong type of extinguisher could cause electrical shock, explosion, or spread the
fire.
Portable extinguishers are useful for putting out small fires; however, they are not
effective against large, spreading fires. In these situations, doors should be closed to contain
the fire.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Type A: Pressurized water to be used on Class A fire only. Do not use on Class B or C
fires; may cause fire spread or electrical shock.
Type ABC: Dry chemical effective on all classes of fires.
Type BC: Carbon dioxide to be used on chemical or electrical fires.
Type K: Used in kitchens on grease fires.
Locations
ABC fire extinguishers are located throughout the Medical Centers in corridors.
Specialty areas, such as the Operating Rooms and Kitchens have specific extinguishers.
PASS*
To use a fire extinguisher, follow the acronym PASS
Pull - Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
Aim - Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze - Squeeze the trigger to release the product.
Sweep - Sweep the nozzle from side to side (slowly).
Fire protection:
Fire protection refers to measures taken to prevent fire from becoming destructive,
reduce the impact of an uncontrolled fire, and save lives and property.
Active and passive fire protection work independently but together to provide
comprehensive coverage for your facility. In the unfortunate event of a fire, active fire
protection methods work to extinguish the fire, while passive fire protection keeps the fire from
spreading to other areas in the building.
Fire protection measures can include:
Implementing safety planning practices and drills
Providing education on fire risks and safety
Conducting research and investigations
Safety planning
Fire-resistant building construction materials and practices
Safe operations
Training and testing of mitigating systems
There are three essentials of fire protection:
Study of Fire: To learn the causes of fire, fire extinguishing techniques, detection and
extinguishing equipment and their uses, and the rules and regulations related to building
construction.
Active Fire Protection:
Includes manual or automatic detection of fire, the use of fire and smoke alarms,
firefighting, and first aid. As the name implies, active fire protection involves movement or
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action in the apparatus used to extinguish the fire. Active types of fire protection include fire
alarms, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems,
suppression systems, and some ventilation systems. In some way or another, these components
work together to combat fire directly.
Because active fire protection types often involve many movable parts to function, each
component must be regularly inspected, tested, and maintained to ensure full functionality in
the event of a fire.
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ground in the event of a fire but prevent people from accessing the fire escape from the ground
at other times (such as to perpetrate a burglary or vandalism).
Exit from the interior of a building to the fire escape may be provided by a fire exit
door, but in most cases the only exit is through a window. When there is a door, it is often fitted
with a fire alarm to prevent other uses of the fire escape, and to prevent unauthorized entry. As
many fire escapes were built before the advent of electronic fire alarms, fire escapes in older
buildings have often needed to be retrofitted with alarms for this purpose.
An alternative form of rapid-exit fire escape developed in the early 1900s was a long
canvas tube suspended below a large funnel outside the window of a tall building. A person
escaping the fire would slide down the interior of the tube, and could control the speed of
descent by pushing outward on the tube walls with their arms and legs. This escape tube could
be rapidly deployed from a window and hung down to street level, though it was large and
bulky to store inside the building.
A modern type of evacuation slide is the vertical spiral escape chute, which is a common
means of evacuation for buildings and other structures.
Risk evaluation: -
Risk evaluation attempts to define what the estimated risk actually means to people
concerned with or affected by the risk. A large part of this evaluation will be the consideration
of how people perceive risks.
“Determination of risk management priorities through establishment of qualitative
and/or quantitative relationships between benefits and associated risks.”
Risk evaluation of fire: -
Fire risk assessment is an organized look at what, in your work activities and workplace,
could cause harm to people from fire. It will help determine the chances of a fire occurring and
the dangers from fire that the workplace poses for the people who use it.
Meaning of fire manual: -
Manual fire alarm activation is the process of triggering a fire alarm through a call point,
pull station, or another device. This usually causes the alarm to sound the evacuation signal for
the relevant building or zone. Manual fire alarm activation requires human intervention, as
distinct from automatic fire alarm activation such as that provided through the use of heat
detectors and smoke detectors. It is, however, possible for call points/pull stations to be used
in conjunction with automatic detection as part of the overall fire detection and alarm system.
Systems in completed buildings tend to be wired in and include a control panel. Wireless
activators are common during construction. When a fire pull station or call point is activated,
codes usually require evacuation begin immediately. There are certain exemptions like system
maintenance and security lockdowns, where manual activation outside the control panel may
be overridden.[1] Security alarms, emergency door releases, industrial fire suppression
systems, and hazardous material leak alarms are all examples of specialty systems which are
sometimes activated with similar manual initiating devices to a fire alarm. They may be linked
to fire alarm systems to varying degrees.
Guideline: -
Fire prevention requires segregating the three elements of the fire triangle.
In practice, a method to achieve that goal is to post—and enforce—no smoking signs around
flammable liquids and gases and have fire watches on all work involving torch-applied
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materials of a minimum of two hours after the last torch is turned off. Flammable and
Combustible Liquids
Proper storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids will help prevent
fires from occurring; only approved, closed containers for storage of flammable or combustible
liquids may be used under OSHA rules. Such containers include safety cans or containers
approved by the U.S.
Department of Transportation. A safety can is a container that has a self-closing lid,
internal pressure relief and flame arrestor with a capacity of not more than 5 gallons.
Inexpensive, plastic cans without those features previously mentioned, such as those typically
bought at hardware stores or gas stations, are not approved for use in roofing operations.
However, manufacturers do sell plastic containers that meet the OSHA requirements for safety
cans.
Flammable liquids that are extremely viscous, or difficult to pour, like single ply
adhesive, can be left in their original shipping containers. Similarly, OSHA allows the use of
original containers of flammable liquids that are in quantities of one gallon or less. Static
electricity may be generated when transferring liquids, gases or solids through pipes or hoses.
It is important to dissipate this electric charge when handling flammable and combustible
materials. When transferring flammable or combustible liquids from one container to another,
the two containers must be “bonded” together. The bonding process involves attaching a wire
with alligator clips on each end to both containers. The clips must penetrate the container
coating and touch metal. You may need to score the paint with the alligator clips. To dissipate
static, the container receiving the liquid must be in contact with the ground and not insulated
from contact with the ground. For example, plastic or composite pickup truck bed liners prevent
the flow of static electricity to ground because the liner does not conduct electricity. The
receptacle container must have a clear path to ground, by direct contact or use of grounding
strap or wire, to effectively eliminate static. Service or fueling areas at job sites must have a
20BC-rated fire extinguisher within 75 feet of each pump. Safety cabinets allow for greater
quantities of flammable and combustible liquids to be stored safely inside buildings. Up to 60
gallons of a flammable liquid or as much as 120 gallons of a combustible liquid may be stored
indoors in a safety cabinet. Each cabinet must be labeled “Flammable Keep Fire Away.” Up to
three cabinets may be stored in one room. Without a safety cabinet, only 25 gallons of either
flammable or combustible liquids are allowed to be stored inside a building.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas:
Liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas) is used widely in the roofing industry to heat kettles and
torches. Because LP gas is a compressed gas, fairly large quantities can be stored in relatively
small containers. As a point of reference, LP gas expands at a ratio of 270-to-1. This means
that one liquid drop of LP gas would expand to a gas state 270 times greater in volume. LP gas
collects in low-lying areas because its vapor density is heavier than air. Employees should be
warned that if they suspect a leak in a cylinder, they must not use fire to attempt to find the
hole. Instead, they are to use soapy water and look for bubbles. Employees should not attempt
to extinguish fires involving LP gas. If an LP gas fire breaks out, employees should evacuate
the area immediately and call the fire department. Fighting an LP gas fire requires specialized
training that only the fire department can provide. Employee attempts to extinguish the fire
could create larger hazards.
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Torch-applied Roofing Materials:
Torch-applied roofing materials pose a serious fire hazard to roofing contractors and building
owners. Sometimes the hazards are obvious such as torching to a combustible deck or near
flammable liquids, while other concerns are less obvious―such as torching around drains or
penetrations where flames can be drawn into a building.
Roofing contractors must instruct employees that they must:
• Never torch directly to combustible decks or materials
• Never use a torch to heat a propane tank that begins to frost on the outside .Have
appropriate fire extinguishers within easy reach at all times Whenever working with
torch-applied roofing materials, fire-watch inspections must be conducted for at least
two hours after the work has been completed and the last torch has been turned off.
More information on torch safety can be found in NRCA/MRCA Certified Roofing Torch
Applicator Program at NRCA’s Web site, www.nrca.net.
Fire Alarm Devices:
OSHA requires an alarm system be established by an employer to alert workers on the job site
and local fire departments of fire emergencies. Jobsite telephones and employee entrances must
have alarm codes and reporting instructions at employee entrances.
A roofing contractor’s emergency action plan for the job site must include:
• Emergency escape procedures.
• Rescue and medical duties for those employees responsible for such Duties.
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works when someone activates the system. The system activators usually have a lever and a
push-button located in multiple areas but always near the end of stairs, end of corridors, and
exit and entrance door.
1.Automatic Fire Sprinkler:
Fire sprinklers are a severe component of the fire and life safety systems. They set off
the fire before it spread out. Consider it the first aid in putting out the fire: the initial solution
before the fire gets worse.
One big misconception about fire sprinklers is that all heads will work at the same time.
This wrong idea came from typical displays in movies when a character activates the fire
sprinkler by heating one head, and suddenly, all heads are dumping the whole area. Not all
types of fire sprinklers work that way. Actually, there is only one kind of sprinkler that goes
off when one head detected fire which is the deluge type system. This type is uncommonly
used in buildings now, so recreating scenes like this from a movie in real life is most unlikely.
Other types of automatic fire sprinklers are wet pipe sprinklers, dry sprinkler systems,
and pre-action sprinkler systems.
Wet pipe sprinkler:
Wet pipe sprinkler is the type that conserves water on the pipe all the time, so when the
fire sprinkler activates, the water instantly sprayed on the fire. This type of fire sprinkler is the
most common.
Dry sprinkler system:
Dry sprinkler system Instead of water, the system uses pressurized air or nitrogen to
extinguish the fire. When more than one head of the sprinkler activates, the air exits. Only then
the water comes out.
A pre-action sprinkler system:
A pre-action sprinkler system is also a dry sprinkler system. But the water is not
contained in the pipes. Pre-action valves hold back the water and will only release them when
electrically operated by heat or flame.
2.Smoke Control System
A dangerous hazard during fire along the flames is the smoke, which causes difficulty
in breathing and limits visibility. Inhaling too much smoke is risky to the lungs and can cause
respiratory failure and even death. The effective handling of smoke will help the people inside
the building find their safe way to the exits without suffocation.
The two types of smoke control systems are mechanical and passive systems. The
mechanical system type is pre-installed in the initial construction of the building. It uses fans
to control the movement of the smoke. In contrast, the passive system serves mainly as a barrier
to isolate the smoke without using power.
3.Emergency Exit and Procedure:
Fire is difficult to extinguish. If the fire is out of control and there are still people inside
the building, emergency exits and signs play a crucial role in directing everyone to safety.
There are maps in the building that can guide people where to go. But when the fire is
spreading, you will never have time to look for the map. Instead, you will be searching for a
way out.
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People who know the building should go directly and calmly to the nearest exit. There
are exit lightings as well that can guide them going outside.
Have you ever given attention to the wall paint of the building’s interior? If you do,
then you have probably observed that the walls usually have a lining at the bottom. Supposed
that you are trapped during severe fire situations, the smoke is heavy, and you do not know the
way out, always remember that it is best to stay low on the ground. The smoke will rise up, and
avoiding it will give you more chance of finding the way out. Look for the wall lining. It will
always lead you to the exit.
4.Fire Extinguisher:
Fire extinguishers can prevent uncontrolled fires from spreading. It can put out a
starting fire and save lives. It is essential to have a portable fire extinguisher in every building
and train someone to operate it. Portable fire extinguishers are multipurpose and effective in
putting out most types of fire: fires on papers, clothes, energized electrical equipment, and
flammable liquids. The proper use of a portable fire extinguisher follows the PASS acronyms,
which means:
P – Pull the safety pin from the handle
A – Aim at the base of the fire
S – Squeeze the trigger
S – Sweep from side to side
5.Fire and Life Safety Systems:
Saving lives from fire start with precaution and proper installation of these fire and life
safety systems. Follow these important elements, and you’re building and the people inside it
will never have to suffer extreme and irreversible damages.
Training: -
OSHA requires that all employees be trained to use fire extinguishers. Training is
required upon employment and at least annually thereafter. It is recommended the training
session cover how to determine when a fire is too big to handle; what type of extinguisher to
use; and the PASS system of early-stage firefighting. It also is recommended that live fire
training be conducted periodically (this level of training is not needed each year). Live training
exposes employees to the pressure released from a fire extinguisher when the handle is
squeezed and provides hands-on practice extinguishing a fire. Some local fire departments and
most fire extinguisher suppliers offer this type of training.
All company fire-prevention training sessions should be documented. If an outside
organization conducts the training, it would be a good idea to obtain training certificates for
the attendees.
The fire department and area supervisor will be notified when a fire is
spotted.
All workers will be alerted and evacuated as needed.
The PASS method will be used to extinguish the fire by those
employees who have been properly trained.
The area will be evacuated immediately if the fire is large.
Dos and don’ts for electrical fire prevention: -
*) Do’s:
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• Treat every electrical device like it is energized, even if it does not look like it is plugged
in or operational.
• Unplug appliances before performing any service or repairs on them.
• When working on electrical devices, only use tools that have official “non-conducting”
handles.
• Try to limit the use of electrical equipment in rooms that are very cold or have a lot of
condensation.
• When handling electrical equipment, make sure your hands are dry.
• If you spill any kind of liquid on electrical equipment, first immediately shut off power
to the equipment via the main switch or circuit breaker and then unplug the equipment
itself.
• Keep all electrical circuit contact points enclosed.
• Finally, if you are able to, work on electrical equipment with one hand while the other
hand is out of the way at your side or in your pocket. This minimizes the chance of a
current passing through your chest should a spark/accidental charge occur.
*) Don’ts
• First and foremost – don’t touch active electrical circuits.
• Never touch electrical equipment when any part of your body is wet, (that includes fair
amounts of perspiration).
• Do not store liquids of any sort near electrical equipment.
• If a person comes into contact with an energized electrical conductor, do not touch the
equipment, its cords, or the person affected because the charge may pass to you. Instead,
shut down the main power source via the circuit breaker and then unplug the equipment
using a leather belt.
• Do not wear metal of any sort if you are working on electrical equipment.
• Also, do not try to poke, probe, or fix electrical equipment with objects like pencils or
rulers because the metal in them can serve as a form of conductor.
• Overall, these are some great rules to adhere to. However, there are many more aspects
of proper electrical safety that are vital to understand. So, take charge of your safety
and the safety of your employees by contacting the team at Creation World Safety. Call
and schedule your electrical safety training course today.
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