FSAI and L&T propagate fire safety awareness

An interactive learning programme on Fire Safety & Security was held on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at L&T’s Leadership Development Academy (LDA) – Lonavla. L&T Electrical & Automation (E&A) was partner and host to the event organized by the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI), a non-profit organization representing the Fire Protection, Life Safety, Security, Building Automation, Loss Prevention and Risk Management domains. The event coincided with Fire Service Week (FSW) observed nation-wide during April 14-20, under the guidance of the Fire Advisor, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in remembrance of the lives lost in the devastating fire that erupted and the explosions that followed on 14th April, 1944 at the Victoria Dock in the Bombay Port.

Attended by around 100 industry veterans, consultants and system integrators, the day-long interactive sessions included presentations by luminaries from the fire safety and security industry.

In his keynote address, Mr. A.P. Mandke, Chief Fire Officer, Thane Municipal Corporation, familiarised participants with emerging technology, latest trends and changing scenario in terms of constructions and reiterated that his department’s concern was preventing loss of life and property during outbreaks of fire & disasters. He urged architects in the audience for incorporating safety measures like open spaces, refuge areas, etc. in their architectural design and also sought their inputs for revising The Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Manual – 2009, and making it robust. He also highlighted the practical difficulties faced by his department in dousing fires due to limited open spaces, facades, etc.

Mr. U.G. Palande, Senior Fire Officer at Chembur Fire Station in Mumbai shared inputs on Passive Fire Protection. He advocated providing inherent fire safety through constructional fabric of buildings such as fire containment, Means of Escape (MOE), etc. He also highlighted the need for creating preparedness through periodic mock drills, training etc. considering that the common man was the first responder in case of any eventuality.

In order to apprise consultants and system integrators of the latest solutions in fire safety and security, E&A’s Building Automation team of Mr. Subhash Jha and Mr. Dinesh Ananthraman gave an overview of L&T capabilities in LTAB (L&T Architecture for Building Automation) in energy, safety and security space. The presentation covered solutions like ATMOS – Building Management Systems, Schrack – Fire Detection & Alarm Systems, Perito – Video & Surveillance Systems, PowerMan – Energy Management Systems and TELETASK – Home Automation System comprising Lighting & Comfort Solutions.

Leading consultants at the programme also made presentations on emerging trends in fire detection systems & integrated building management systems as well as design aspects of HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) with respect to fire safety at Data Centres. The programme concluded with a quiz on fire safety.