ABSTRACT
Fire accidents have devastating impact on human lives, property and environment. The damages caused by such accidents are irreversible and require immense efforts at multiple levels to get over those damages. Fire disasters have significant impact on densely populated urban areas as well as in the forests. Fire can spread over vertical surfaces, horizontal surfaces, inside the porous materials, over the flammable liquid, inflammable gas-air mixture depending upon various favorable scenarios. When fire combines with other hazardous situations such as natural calamities, lightning, electricity, nuclear radiations, toxic chemicals or explosives becomes more devastating. Such complicated fire incidents must be controlled in intelligent manner by applying advanced fire management techniques so that impact of such accidents can be minimized Urban fire results in loss of human lives and properties and similarly forests fire results in loss of wild life, their habitat and bio-diversity. Therefore, urban fire accidents and forest fire cases should be treated as equally disastrous and both must be addressed with equal importance.
This paper presents an overview on the types of fire hazards and types of fire scenarios such as vertical & horizontal fires and their propagation. The paper reviews the fire prevention and protection techniques developed over last two centuries. Evolution of various technological and administrative control standards along with active and passive protection techniques have also been discussed. It overviews the technological evolution & administrative measures and their amalgamation in the field of fire safety through various rules and regulations worldwide.
The paper discusses latest technological advancements within India in the field of fire sciences such as development of fire-retardant paint, fire suit and fire extinguishing material such as powder, gel, fire detection & protection system etc. Technological advancements in the field of fire science needs to be methodically aligned with prevailing rules and regulations. Also, the paper highlights the role of Defence Research & Developement Organization and Bureau of Indian Standards, which are continuously working for the development of regulations and standards such as S’IliC for Military and NBC for Civil applications respectively to enhance the overall safety standard to evade such disasters in India.
At last, it has been concluded that fire accidents and disasters can be avoided by adhering to rules and regulations and If such incidence occurs, despite all precautions, the damage to life and property can be minimized with the help of technological advancement and administrative management.
