FESCO launches fire safety campaign to protect installations, employees, assets

FAISALABAD, Jun 02 (APP): Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has launched a comprehensive fire safety, firefighting and emergency evacuation awareness campaign across its operational facilities to enhance workplace safety and prevent fire-related incidents.

According to Director General (DG) Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Asghar Hussain Qazalbash and Director (HSE) Muhammad Kaleemullah, the campaign has been initiated on the special instructions of FESCO Chief Executive Officer Engineer Muhammad Amir and HSE is implementing it at grid stations, warehouses, transformer reclamation workshops and office buildings throughout the company’s jurisdiction.

They said that primary objective of the campaign is to eliminate fire hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment, ensure effective emergency response mechanisms and protect human lives, machinery and institutional assets.

Under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the HSE Directorate, all grid stations will be kept free from combustible materials and unnecessary waste. Immediate rectification of transformer oil leakages, regular maintenance of drainage systems and proper earthing of all electrical connections have also been made mandatory, they added.

They said that the SOPs further impose a complete ban on smoking within grid station premises while the staff has been directed to maintain safe distances around transformers and other sensitive electrical installations.

They said that special safety measures have also been introduced for transformer reclamation workshops where the workers would be required to use protective clothing and safety equipment before welding operations.

Firefighting equipment must remain fully operational at all times while oil filtration systems would be regularly maintained and electrical wiring and earthing systems periodically inspected, they added.

Director HSE also directed that combustible materials in warehouses should be stored separately in designated safe locations and all emergency exits should remain open, accessible and free from obstruction.

For office buildings, he issued instructions to keep workplaces free from unnecessary paper and flammable materials. Regular maintenance of electrical switches, sockets and appliances would be ensured while the storage of combustible items near electrical panels or heat sources would be strictly prohibited, he added.

He said that fire safety instructions and emergency contact numbers would be prominently displayed at all facilities to improve preparedness and response capabilities.

He said that the campaign also includes the provision of modern firefighting equipment across all relevant installations. Dry chemical powder extinguishers, foam-type extinguishers and sand buckets would be installed in transformer and oil handling areas while offices would be equipped with dry powder and foam extinguishers, he added.

He said that a detailed emergency response protocol has also been introduced. In the event of a fire, staff members would be required to immediately activate alarms, inform all personnel, notify the concerned SDO, Resident Engineer, XEN and Fire Brigade, disconnect electricity supply where necessary and use appropriate firefighting equipment to contain the situation.

The SOPs further require the establishment of clearly marked emergency exits at all facilities. In the event of an emergency alarm, immediate evacuation of employees would be mandatory to ensure their safety, he added.

He said that to strengthen preparedness, FESCO would conduct regular fire drills every six months with mandatory participation of all employees.

Performance records of the drills would be maintained and reviewed periodically while staff members would receive practical training on the use of fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation procedures, he added.

Reaffirming commitment to workplace safety, Director General HSE said that providing a safe, secure and accident-free environment remained one of FESCO’s highest priorities.

He urged all officers and employees to strictly comply with the newly issued safety guidelines to minimize risks and ensure the protection of personnel and infrastructure.