Schedule B XXVI

Highly Flammable Liquids and Flammable Compressed Gases

1.

Application.—These schedule will be applicable to all factories where highly

flammable liquids or flammable compressed gases are manufactured, stored,

handled or used.

Definitions.-For the purpose of this schedule-

a. "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 (30 of 1934) gives off

flammable vapours at a temperature less than 32 degree centigrade ;

b. "flammable compressed gas" means flammable compressed gas as

defined in section 2 of the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired)

Rules, 1981 framed under the Explosive Act, 1884.

3. Storage.-

I. Every flammable liquid or flammable compressed gas used in every factory

shall be stored in suitable fixed storage tank, or in suitable closed vessel

located in a safe position under the ground, in the open or in a store room of

adequate fire resistant construction.

II.

Except as necessary for use, operation or maintenance, every vessel or tank

which contains or had contained 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.

III.

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.

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 any equipment, pipeline, valve, joint or other

part of a system, all practicable measures shall be taken to contain, drain off

6.

9.

or dilute such spills or leakage as to prevent formation of flammable mixture

with air.

Prevention of Ignition.-In every room, work place or other location where

highly flammable liquid or flammable combustible 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 orbe allowed to wear any foot wear having iron

or steel nails or any other exposed ferrous materials which is likely to

cause sparks by friction /

d. Smoking, lighting or carrying of matches, lighters or smoking materials

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, frictional sparks, overheated surfaces of machinery or

plant, chemical or physical-chemical reaction and radiant heat.

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 a risk of life. 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.

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.

Exemptions.-If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector is satisfied

that owing to the exceptional circumstances or infrequency of the processes

or for any other reason, all or any of the provisions of this schedule is not

necessary for the protection of the workers in the factory, the Chief Inspector

may be a certificate in writing which he may in 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.