Hyderabad: The Telangana fire department is considering conducting third-party safety audits of industries, especially pharmaceutical companies, in industrial zones like Pashamailaram, IDA Bollarum, Nacharam, Jeedimetla, and other key industrial areas.

Officials have forwarded a proposal to the government recently, and the audits are expected to commence within the next two months. This decision follows a chemical explosion at Sigachi Industries in Pashmailaram, which revealed significant deficiencies in fire safety measures, including the absence of fire systems and emergency exits. Over the last decade, Telangana has experienced 102 major fire incidents at pharmaceutical units, resulting in losses amounting to 100 crore.

Director of the fire department, GV Narayana Rao, mentioned that while some older industries have started adhering to regulations, many others continue to operate without compliance. He emphasized that fire audits would motivate companies to enhance their safety protocols and mitigate the risk of hazardous accidents.

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"When it comes to fire safety, there is a common misconception that having fire extinguishers is sufficient. However, pharmaceutical units store hazardous, flammable, and highly reactive chemicals and solvents.

In the case of the Sigachi blast, it was believed to be a low-risk facility, but the consequences were severe. The objective is to conduct both fire department and third-party audits to ensure the proper integration of firefighting systems. Electrical wiring and equipment maintenance will also be scrutinized," added Rao.

Based on the level of hazards, the National Building Code (NBC) classifies industrial structures into low, medium, and high hazard categories. These classifications determine the necessary fire safety measures and other relevant design specifications, such as on-site underground or rooftop water storage tanks ranging from 20,000 liters to 1.5 lakh liters. Additionally, the installation of automatic sprinkler systems, fire detectors, fire alarm systems, wet risers, and fire hydrants is mandated.

"To ensure continuous monitoring and maintenance, companies can utilize technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) devices. However, stringent safety protocols are imperative. We have instructed our district fire officers (DFOs) to regularly inspect all industries," Rao elaborated.

City-based infrastructure consultant, SP Anchuri, welcomed the initiative but highlighted the necessity for multi-departmental inspections every two months to reinforce a safety-first mindset. "However, there may still be gaps as there is no risk-based grading to prioritize the most dangerous units. Furthermore, the workforce and implementation capacity need to be enhanced to match the frequency of inspections. Worker feedback and whistleblower protection, which are crucial, should also be taken into account," he remarked.

Anchuri emphasized that while audits mark the beginning, comprehensive safety hinges on integrated design thinking that includes risk awareness.

Meanwhile, fire department officials stressed that once initiated, industrial units must proactively take responsibility by conducting audits and submitting them online.