Is a Fire Hydrant System Necessary for Your Factory in Gujarat? Here's How to Decide

Deciding on Installing a Fire Hydrant System in Your Factory

How can I decide whether my factory needs to install a fire hydrant system or not? My factory is located in Gujarat.

To determine if a fire hydrant system is necessary for your factory, consider the following factors:

- **Local Regulations:** Check the local fire safety regulations in Gujarat. Compliance with these regulations is crucial.
- **Factory Size and Layout:** Larger factories or those with complex layouts may require more comprehensive fire safety systems.
- **Risk Assessment:** Conduct a fire risk assessment to evaluate potential hazards and the need for a hydrant system.
- **Insurance Requirements:** Some insurance policies may mandate the installation of fire safety systems, including hydrants.

Regards,

Dear Piyush, you need to refer to the chapter on safety in the Gujarat Factories Rules and the rule on fire-fighting apparatus and water supply. I have not read the Gujarat Factories Rules, but according to the Maharashtra Rules, you should make adequate provision of water supply for fire-fighting. The rules also have further provisions for power-driven trailer pumps of adequate capacity based on certain parameters such as the total area in square meters of all floors, including galleries in all buildings of the factory, the total area in square meters of all floors and galleries, including open spaces where combustible materials are handled or stored, the total area in square meters of all floors over a certain meter above ground level, and the total area in square meters of all floors of buildings other than those of fire-resisting construction provided the fire-resisting constructions of various floors are certified by any Fire Association or Fire Insurance Company, etc.

Each trailer pump shall be provided with equipment as per the schedule thereto. Such equipment shall conform to Indian Standard specifications whenever they exist.

If the Chief Inspector is satisfied in respect of any factory or any part of the factory that, owing to exceptional circumstances such as the inadequacy of water supply or infrequency of the manufacturing process or for any other reason, to be recorded in writing, all or any of the requirements of the rules are impracticable or not necessary for the protection of workers, he may, by order in writing (which he may at his discretion revoke), exempt such factory or part of that factory from all or any of the provisions of the rules.

I am sure Gujarat Rules are more or less similar to the above. You also need to take a NOC from your fire department. This NOC is given based on various parameters.

All these things are technical in nature and require expertise in the subject. Your factory plans are not approved unless you fulfill all the requirements. The architect you hire for the plans layout takes care of everything.