Fire Safety Practices in Pharmaceutical industries

Many of the gases, liquids, and powders utilized in pharmaceutical product formulation are extremely flammable, explosive, reactive, and/or poisonous. So Fire Safety Practices must be followed to ensure the overall safety of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, many of the processes used in pharmaceutical plants – from delivery through reactor processing to filtration, drying, milling /micronizing, combining, and packing – have the potential to create flammable/explosive atmospheres. As a result, pharmaceutical facilities must have a thorough understanding of the deflagration risk presented by the materials and equipment used in their procedures.

Fire Components:

  • Fuel
  • Heat
  • Oxygen

Source of Ignition (FUEL)

Organic materials (wood, coal, paper) Flammable liquids (paints, thinners, solvents), and Flammable gases (butane, propane).

Source of Ignition (HEAT)

  • Electrical Smoking
  • Hot surfaces
  • Chemical relations
  • Static sparks Lightning

Classification Of Fires

A. Ordinary combustibles – wood, paper

Extinguish using:  water.

B. Flammable liquids – oil, grease

Extinguish using: foam.

C. Liquid fuel under pressure – propane, butane

Extinguish by:  cooling and isolating the supply.

D. Electrical equipment – switchgear, motors

Extinguish by: isolating the supply, and allow to cool.

Extinguisher Methods

  • Cooling or quenching.
  • Removal of fuel.
  • Smothering or blanketing.

Fire Safety Practices Procedure on Site

  • Hot Work – controlled by a permit.
  • Welding/Fabrication Work – in a purpose-built location.
  • The tidiness of Work Areas – removal of waste.
  • Electrical Heaters – must be secured and have free space around them.
  • Flammable Liquids – containers and storage are important.

Storage of Flammable Liquids

  • A flammable liquid is one that has a flashpoint below 32oC.
  • All flammable liquids shall be stored in approved containers and never stored in an open container to ensure Fire Safety Practices.
  • Flammable liquid containers must be stored in suitable cabinets.
  • Both containers and cabinets for flammable liquids must be clearly identified that they contain flammables.

Related: SOP FOR OPERATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Compressed Gas Cylinder Storage

Following Storage conditions must be followed to ensure Fire Safety Practices:

  • Storage areas for compressed gas cylinders shall be situated in an area that is safe from vehicles and heat sources.
  • Fuel gas cylinders shall be separated from oxygen cylinders.
  • Valve caps should be in place during storage and transport.
  • Empty cylinders should be separate from full cylinders
  • All storage areas should be labeled
  • All cylinders should be stored upright
  • Retaining chains or straps should be used to prevent gas bottles from falling out of storage areas

List of Fire protection equipment in Pharmaceuticals.

  • Fire Alarm Systems
  • Fire Detection Systems
  • Public Address System
  • Dry Chem Fire Suppression
  • Foam Fire Suppression
  • ADW Linear Heat Detection System
  • Water Mist Fire Suppression System
  • Portable Fire Extinguishers
  • Clean Agent Suppression System

Smoke detectors: Every industry should have functioning smoke alarms. industry fire sprinklers can help save lives in the event of a fire.

For best Fire Safety Practices Extinguishers are used to put out fires. Fire extinguishers are one part of a fire response plan, but safe evacuation is the most important part. Carbon monoxide detectors Carbon Monoxide (CO), also known as the “invisible killer,” should be avoided.

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