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AAI flags increase in fire accidents at airports, stresses need to follow SOP
Says all staff engaged in airport operations should be trained in fire-fighting and rescue operations
A fire being put out on the premises of the Airports Authority of India at the Tiruchi airport. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a safety advisory expressing concern over the recent increase in fire accidents at airport buildings. The safety advisory laid emphasis on following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent and respond to fires, which could cause chaos, loss of life and flight disruptions.
Referring to the significant increase in the number of building fires at airports, the Directorate of Aviation Safety, AAI, urged all employees engaged in airport operations and air traffic services to scrupulously follow the SOP set for the purpose. The recent incidents of building fires at some of the international and domestic airports had raised concern about the maintenance and operation of fire-prevention equipment, preparedness of the staff to deal with contingency situation, and storage of inflammable materials, it said.
Fire in a terminal building could create chaos and result in loss of life and/or flight disruption at an airport. On the other hand, fire in operational buildings housing navigational equipment could lead to contingency situation not only at airports, but also for aircraft in the air.
Fires highly preventable
The advisory was issued in “serious response to the significant increase of building fires” at airports. It pointed out that though fires were unpredictable and destructive, they were highly preventable with proper safety measures. By practising fire safety and prevention at workplace, every employee of AAl could contribute to a safe environment, and there would be no disruption of civil aviation on account of fire incidents.
The advisory gave a check-list of Do’s and Don’ts in regard to measures to prevent fire hazards, such as ensuring the efficacy of smoke alarms, displaying emergency hotline numbers at prominent places, and promoting fire safety by including all the staff members, including contractual employees, in fire drills. To minimise risk of loss of life, damage to property and flight disruption, it was essential for all AAl employees engaged in airport/air traffic operation to be aware of fire reporting and trained in basic fire-fighting and rescue operations, it said.
The safety guidelines come in the wake of different incidents of fire reported in airports across the country. On May 17, a fire was reported at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and fire tenders were pressed into service. There were no casualties. A few days later, a fire broke out in the Air Traffic Control tower building at the Chennai airport. The blaze noticed on the fourth floor of the ATC around 3.30 a.m. was put out in about 30 minutes. An electrical short circuit in one of the rooms was suspected to have caused the fire.
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