Schedule H (xxvi)

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND FLAMMABLE COMPRESSED GASES:

1. Application-These rules will be applicable to all factories where highly flammable liquid or

flammable compressed gases are manufactured, stored, handled or used.

2. Definitions-For the purposes of this Schedule-

(a) "flammable compressed gas" means flammable compressed gas as defined in Section 2

of the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) and Rules, 1981 framed under the

Explosives Act , 1984; and

(b) "highly flammable liquid" means any liquid including its solution, emulsion or suspension

which when tested in a manner specified by Sections 14 and 15 of the Petroleum Act,

1934 (Act No. 30 of 1934), gives off flammable vapours at temperature less than 32

degrees centigrade.

3. Storage-(1) Every flammable liquid or flammable compressed gas used in every factory shall

be stored in a suitable fixed storage tank, or in a suitable closed vessel located in a safe

position under the ground, in the open or in a store room of adequate fire resistant

construction.

(2) Except as necessary for use, operation or maintenance, every vessel or tank which

contains or had contained a highly flammable liquid or flammable compressed gas shall

be always kept closed and all reasonably practicable steps shall be taken to contain or

immediately drain off to a suitable container any spill or leak that may occur.

(3) Every container, vessel, tank, cylinder, or store room used for storing highly flammable

liquid or flammable compressed gas shall be clearly and in bold letters marked "Danger-

Highly Flammable Liquid" or "Danger- Flammable Compressed Gas".

4. Enclosed systems for conveying highly Flammable Liquids-Wherever it is reasonably

practicable, highly flammable liquids shall be conveyed within a factory in totally enclosed

systems consisting of pipelines, pumps and similar appliances from the storage tank or vessel

to the point of use. Such enclosed systems shall be so designed, installed, operated and

maintained as to avoid leakage or the risk of spilling.

5. Preventing formation of Flammable Mixture with Air-Wherever there is a possibility for leakage

or spill of highly flammable liquid or flammable compressed gas from an equipment, pipeline,

valve, joint or other part of a system, all practicable measures shall be taken to contain, drain-

off or dilute such spills or leakage as to prevent formation of flammable mixture with air.

6. Prevention of Ignition-

(1) In every room, workplace or other location where highly flammable liquid or flammable

compressed gas is stored, conveyed, handled or used or where there is danger of fire or

explosion from accumulation of highly flammable liquid or flammable compressed gas in

air, all practicable measures shall be taken to exclude the sources of ignition. Such

precautions shall include the following-

(a) all electrical apparatus shall either be excluded from the area of risk or they shall

be of such construction and so installed and maintained as to prevent the danger

of their being a source of ignition;

(b) effective measures shall be adopted for prevention of accumulation of static

charges to a dangerous extent;

(c) no person shall wear or be allowed to wear any footwear having iron or steel nails

or any other exposed ferrous material which is likely to cause sparks by friction;

(d) smoking, lighting or carrying of matches, lighters or smoking material shall be

prohibited;

(e) transmission belts with iron fasteners shall not be used; and

(f) all other precautions, as are reasonably practicable shall be taken to prevent

initiation of ignition from all other possible sources such as open flames, all

frictional sparks, overheated surface of machinery or plant, chemical or physical-

chemical reaction and radiant heat.

7. Prohibition of smoking : No person shall smoke in any place where highly flammable liquid or

flammable compressed gas is present in circumstances that smoking would give rise to a risk

of fire. The occupier shall take all practicable measures to ensure compliance with this

requirement including display of a bold notice indicating prohibition of smoking, at every place

where this requirement applies.

8. Fire Fighting-In every factory where highly flammable liquid or flammable compressed gas is

manufactured, stored, handled or used, appropriate and adequate means of fighting a fire shall

be provided. The adequacy and suitability. of such means which expression includes the fixed

and portable fire extinguishing systems, extinguishing material, procedures and the Process of

fire-fighting, shall be to the standards and levels prescribed by the Indian Standards applicable,

and in any case not inferior to the stipulation clause 31 of section 18(2)(f) and rude made there

under.

9. Exemptions-If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator is satisfied that

owing the exceptional circumstances of infrequency of the processes or for any other reason,

all or any of the provisions of this Schedule is not necessary for protection of the workers in the

factory, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may by a certificate in writing, which he may at his

discretion revoke at any time, exempt such factory from all or any of such provisions subject to

such conditions, if any, as he may specify therein.