Schedule XXVI

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND FLAMMABLE COMPRESSED GASES

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

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

2. Definition - 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 -

(1) 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 orin 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 highly flammable liquid or flammable compressed gas shall be always kept

closed and a\l 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 pipe lines, 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 any

equipment. pipe line, 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, 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 or be 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.

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 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.

B. 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 firefighting, shall be to the standards and levels prescribed by the Indian Standards

applicable, and in any case not inferior to the standards prescribed by Central Government

under the Code.

9. Exemptions - lf in respect of any factory. the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator 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-cum-Facilitator 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.