With the onset of summer season and air getting dry with decreasing humidity, Jharkhand Fire Service (JFC) will keep special vigil on multistoried buildings in the State. Alerting fire stations all over the State, an order has also been passed from the DG (Fire) to keep the fire tenders available with them in running conditions to deal with any untoward situation.
“They have been asked to be alert round the clock and act immediately as soon as they get information of fire. They will also spread consciousness among people, especially students of schools and colleges in this regard,” said DG (Fire Safety) BB Pradhan. Special vigil has to be kept on multistory buildings and crowded areas where there were more chances of spreading fire, he added.
Fire Stations have also been asked to keep fire tenders ready for any contingency.
“As t temperature rises in environment, chances of fire outbreak in shops, offices and even residential areas increases hence, fire stations all over the State have been directed to keep fire tenders in running condition with a direction to the fire fighters to be available there round the clock for any exigency,” said State Fire Officer RK Thakur. Canceling the long term leaves, (Earned leave) El of the fire fighters till summers, they have also been asked to go only on short leaves for a day or two, he added.
“We are all prepared round the clock to fight with any fire like situation throughout the year in all seasons, but at the same time also suggest that the people should also be vigilant as this season in more vulnerable of catching fire due to fast and decreasing humidity in the wind,” he said.
Thakur further said that the outbreak of fire require only three components – fuel, oxygen and temperature. It requires only 16 percent of oxygen for braking up of fire, while the environment during summers, have 21 per cent of the oxygen content in it due to which, chances of fire increases even with a spark over the fuel and may sometimes turn very ugly.
“Therefore, people are advised to be alert and stress on good house-keeping. They must be aware that what should be done and what should not be done in case fire breaks out in their home, office or shop,” said Thakur. State Fire Service is always available free of cost to make them aware about the action taken in case of fire, he added.
The State Fire Officer also said that more than 150 fire tenders are available all over Jharkhand in running condition to deal with outbreak of fire while Ranchi alone has around 20 fire tenders distributed among different fire stations as per the requirement.
“Presently, there is a fleet of 150 fire tenders across the State to fight fire of any intensity and magnitude. Also there is one ‘Aerial ladder Platform’ to reach the point of fire in sky scrapers. Each of the fire station in Ranchi have an average of 4-5 fire tenders with a single foam fire tender placed in Dhurwa,” said Thakur.
The ‘Foam Dissipater’ is used to control fire caused by oily substances and gases (Category B and C). The foam used in this case has to be lighter than the lightest oil. The foam dissipater is also used to spray tiny droplets of water to control fire caused by gases. The dissipater when filled with a special powder is used to control fire of category D, caused by metallic substances.