Hyderabad, November 07, 2024- A two-day National Seminar on Fire, Electrical, Security and Automation (FESA) 24 for Pharma Industry, the biggest ever Seminar in India on the subject begins at HICC on Thursday morning in the city
The seminar was inaugurated by Guest of Honor Mr.Y. Nagi Reddy, IPS, Director General of Fire Services and Chief Guest Mr.Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Spl Chief Secretary to the Govt of Telangana. Mr B. Raja Gopala Rao, Director of Factories, Govt of Telangana also graced the occasion
It was organized by the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI).
Speaking on the occasion, Nagi Reddy said fire is important in industrial safety in Pharma. In the past 10 years, 97 major fires broke out in Pharma industries, and Rs 93 crore worth of property was lost. In another incident that occurred a day before yesterday, a property worth Rs 30 crore got burnt, he said.
Handling fire in the pharmaceutical industry is difficult due to the different kinds of gases and chemicals used. He explained the Telangana Fire Service Act 1999. Section 13 of this act requires that buildings and hazardous industries must get an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Fire Department. According to another section, 19, the owner or the occupant is responsible for the fire system in the establishment.
He spoke about the National Building Code 2016.
Pharmaceutical industries pose additional hazards compared to other industries, especially from the use and transfer of solvents. Hazards in this industry include fires or explosions in solvents or dusts. Several areas such as Cleanrooms; Laboratories; Warehouses; Utility/mechanical service rooms; Chemical rooms and Production areas need to be paid attention to he said
The regular fire safety Audit is a must he told 300 plus gathering. It has to be voluntary in the interest of the company, he said.
Speaking on the occasion Jayesh Ranjan said accidents of any kind derail an industry. Many Pharma companies are under the watchlist of many European Regulators for non-compliance of ESG guidelines, which are low in those companies. If not adhered they will stop importing pharmaceutical products from India. If that happens you will destroy your business prospects he said.
In my interactions with Pharma companies, I observed that they are facing a talent scarcity. Organisations like FSAI can address such concerns of the Pharma industry for effective fire safety
Mr Ranjan urged FSAI to get associated with Young India Skill University, which will be run on a partnership model. Unlike conventional learning, the way of learning here is through practice. FSAI can design some relevant, useful and customised courses, he said
The past Telangana government announced a Pharma city in 20,000-acre land but the new government would like to decentralise and set up Pharma villages, in some ten clusters. Here also FSAI can help us with the best possible fire safety by suggesting a default design.
He advised FISA leadership to come forward with technology providers and the problem statement The government will run a challenge on their behalf for using technology in fire safety and more mention.
B. Raja Gopala Rao, Directories of factories said more fire accidents are occurring in Pharma than any other sector.
FSAI is 22 years old, a pan-Indian, not-for-profit non-profit trade body representing the Fire Protection, Life Safety, Security, Building Automation, Loss Prevention and Risk Management domains. It has 25 chapters and 10,000 members all over India said Mr Srinivas Valluri, National President, of FSAI
Hyderabad is the hub for pharmaceutical companies not only in India but in the entire Southeast Asia. A lot of fire accidents have occurred in the Pharma industries in the recent past. In this light of background this national conference is happening in Hyderabad informed Mr. Srinivas Valluri, the national president of the FSAI. He is the first ever Telugu man to become the National President of the 22 year old body.
Though we are part of the advisory group of the proposed Skill University of the Government of Telangana, we are also exploring a possible association to offer structured training on fire. We are planning to open a Skill Development Center, a 3rd one in Mumbai and another in Hyderabad very soon. We are also planning to open a Chapter in Dubai, he said. There is a huge demand for resources
The FSAI formulated the Suraksha Index (FSI). This index was reviewed, developed and implemented by the FSAI. It is one of its kind in the world. Many countries are studying this to emulate this practice . FSAI Suraksha Index is a comprehensive evaluation system that assesses the fire and security readiness of buildings, he added
Mr Prasad Nishtala, Chapter President, FSAI Hyderabad; Mr Prasad Raju S, Regional Director-South, FSAI; Mr Manoj Balakrishnan, Chair FSAI Branding; Mr P. Sravan Kumar, Vice Chair-FSAI Operations and Mr Chandra Sekhar K, Secretary FSAI Hyd Chapter said that 300 Senior Managers from various pharma industries are participating and deliberating in the seminar. Representatives of over 100 pharma companies including 50 top pharma companies also participate.
Mr Prasad Nishtala, Chapter President, FSAI Hyderabad said, sessions on a wide variety of subjects of greater importance such as Industries Pharma in Application its and PHA (Analysis Hazard Process; Areas Production in Mitigation and Identification Risk; Areas Storage Hazard High of Safety Fire; Pharma in Safety; Pharma in BMS; Access Control and Surveillance; IoT in Pharma Safety; Fire Audit is scheduled. Several Technical sessions and two-panel discussions will be held. The panel discussion will be held on topics such as Risks in the Pharma industry and strategies to overcome and the Latest trends in Safety and Security in Pharma Industries.