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. 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, (Central Act No. 30 of 1934) gives off flammable vapours at

a temperature less than 32 degrees centigrade:

(b) "flammable compressed gas" means flammable compressed gas as defined in

section 2 of the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016 framed

under the Explosives 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 or in a store room of adequate fire resistant

construction.

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

contained a highly flammable liquid for 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 factory in totally enclosed

systems consisting of pipe lines, pump 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, 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.- 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 measure 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;

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(b) effective measure 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 or 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 rise

to a risk of fire. The occupier shall take all practicable measure to ensure compliance with

this requirement including display of a notice indicating prohibition of smoking at every

places 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 firefighting, shall be to the standards and levels prescribed by the Indian standards

applicable and in any case not inferior to the stipulations under the Code, rules, regulations

and standards made thereunder.

9. Exemptions.- If 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

reasons, 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.