What is the main fire hazard in a printing press?

The primary hazards are large quantities of combustible materials like paper and cardboard, and flammable liquids like inks, solvents, and cleaning agents (Clause 8).

Are automatic sprinklers mandatory?

Automatic sprinkler systems are strongly recommended for all process and storage areas, and are considered essential for buildings exceeding certain height or area thresholds (Clause 7.3).

What type of fire extinguisher is needed for solvent fires?

For fires involving flammable liquids (Class B fires) like solvents, Dry Chemical Powder (DCP), Foam, or Carbon Dioxide (CO2) type extinguishers are required (Clause 7.2).

What are the rules for storing flammable liquids?

Quantities in work areas should be minimized. Bulk storage must be in a separate, detached, well-ventilated building or a dedicated fire-resistant room (Clause 8.3).

IS 14689

: 1999

Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Industrial Buildings (Printing and Publishing Industry)

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Safety

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This code of practice outlines fire safety requirements for buildings in the printing and publishing industry. It addresses hazard classification, fire-resistant construction, means of escape, and specific provisions for handling flammable materials like inks and solvents. The standard aims to minimize fire risk and ensure life safety for occupants in these specialized industrial environments.

Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Industrial Buildings (Printing and Publishing Industry)

Quick Reference Values

Maximum travel distance to an exit30 m

Minimum width of escape routes and exits150 cm

Maximum height of paper roll stacks4.5 m

Maximum storage quantity of Class A flammable liquids in workroom500 litres

Minimum separation distance between process buildings and storage15 m

Practical Notes

Pay special attention to the storage and handling of flammable inks and solvents, which are the primary fire hazards. Segregation, ventilation, and proper electrical bonding/grounding are key.

The high fire load from paper storage requires robust automatic sprinkler systems, especially in warehouses and reel stores.

Regular maintenance of printing machinery is crucial to prevent fires from overheating, static discharge, or electrical faults. Ensure good housekeeping is maintained to control combustible dust.