Technical Talk on Fire Safety and Prevention Strategies Organized in Udaipur

Udaipur, A technical session on "Fire Safety and Prevention Strategies" was organized by the Institution of Engineers (India), Udaipur Local Centre, with an aim to raise awareness among the public and technical professionals regarding fire safety and the latest measures to prevent fire-related incidents.

The program commenced with a welcome address by Institution Chairman, Engineer Purushottam Paliwal. He emphasized that the goal of the session was to make the public and experts aware of fire hazards and to educate them on the modern strategies available for fire prevention. He elaborated on the causes of fire, preventive strategies, proper use of firefighting equipment, and quick response during emergencies.

Honorary Secretary Engineer Piyush Javeria provided detailed insights into the main causes of fire accidents, precautionary measures, and response strategies during emergencies. He stated that such public-interest technical talks are part of ongoing efforts to enhance social awareness and promote a culture of safety. He stressed that through proper training and awareness, major accidents can be averted.

Guest of Honour, Engineer Shantilal Jain, Managing Director of Adarsh Engitech Projects Pvt. Ltd., recalled the oxygen supply challenges during the COVID period and shared a personal experience of a fire incident at his factory. He explained how staying calm and informing the fire brigade and local police promptly helped manage the situation. He advised that during major fire emergencies, it is essential to act with composure and report the incident immediately to the authorities.

Speaker Engineer Abhishek Devaliya, Principal of Visvesvaraya Community College, provided alarming global statistics—around 1,80,000 people die annually in fire-related incidents worldwide, and billions of dollars worth of property is lost. In India alone, approximately 25,000 deaths and ₹1,000 crore in economic loss occur every year due to fire. In the United States, industrial and manufacturing units report an average of 36,784 fires annually, causing 22 civilian deaths and 211 injuries, with an estimated $1.5 billion in direct property damage. These are mostly due to equipment failures, electrical issues, and poor housekeeping.

He explained that fire is a chemical reaction that occurs due to a mix of fuel (solid, liquid, or gas), heat, and a specific amount of oxygen, resulting in light, heat, and smoke. Preventive measures such as routine equipment maintenance, safe storage of flammable materials, use of fire-retardant systems, and proper waste disposal were emphasized. He underscored that every major fire begins as a small one—hence, prompt extinguishing in the early stages using portable fire extinguishers is most effective. These devices, being lightweight and mobile, are critical tools in containing small fires.

In the event of a fire, he advised activating alarms, notifying others, and calling the fire department immediately. People should evacuate safely using the nearest exit and must avoid using elevators during fire emergencies.

Speaker Dr. Vikas Chaudhary, Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon at RNT Medical College, focused on fire safety and rehabilitation. He emphasized spreading awareness about fire-related deaths, injuries, and their common causes. He categorized different types of fires—those caused by solids like wood or paper, flammable liquids like petrol and diesel (excluding cooking oils), gases like butane and propane, burning metals like aluminum or magnesium, and fires due to electrical sources.

He also shared essential home safety tips: keep hot objects out of children's reach in kitchens, cover electrical outlets, allow hot items to cool before touching, and manage wires safely. For first aid in burns, he recommended cooling the burn under running water for at least 10 minutes, covering it with sterile adhesive, avoiding ointments or butter, not popping blisters, cleaning gently if they burst, taking pain relievers, and calling the Blood For Sure helpline at 080 67335555 in severe cases.

On this occasion, members who contributed to the recently held 730th Council Meeting were honored, and the third issue of the publication was also released. The event concluded with a vote of thanks and coordination by Engineer Piyush Javeria.