Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for fire prevention, firefighting, emergency evacuation and fire drills at its installations to strengthen safety measures and ensure protection of human lives and assets.
FESCO issues comprehensive SOP for fire safety, emergency response at installations
FAISALABAD, Mar 09 (APP): Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for fire prevention, firefighting, emergency evacuation and fire drills at its installations to strengthen safety measures and ensure protection of human lives and assets.
Director Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) FESCO Muhammad Kaleemullah said that HSE Directorate issued the SOP on special instructions of FESCO Chief Executive Officer Engineer Muhammad Aamir.
He said that new safety framework would apply to all grid stations, warehouses, transformer reclamation workshops and office buildings operating under the jurisdiction of FESCO.
He said that this initiative would help eliminate fire hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment while ensuring effective response during emergencies.
He said that the SOP also seeks to safeguard human lives, protect equipment and preserve the organization’s valuable assets through a structured safety mechanism.
Under the SOP, the authorities will keep grid station premises clean and free from combustible materials to minimize fire risks, he added.
He said that technical staff would immediately address transformer oil leakages, maintain drainage systems regularly and ensure proper earthing of all electrical connections.
He said that the company has imposed a complete ban on smoking within grid station premises and directed staff to maintain safe distances around transformers.
He said that the SOP also introduces strict safety measures at transformer reclamation workshops where workers must use protective clothing and safety gear before performing welding operations.
He said that the staff would keep firefighting equipment in active condition at all times while ensuring proper maintenance of oil filtration equipment. Technical teams would regularly inspect electrical wiring and earthing systems to prevent potential hazards, he added.
He said that in FESCO stores, officials will keep flammable materials at designated and secure locations and ensure that emergency exit routes remain open and unobstructed.
He said that office buildings would remain free from unnecessary papers and combustible materials while maintenance teams would regularly check electrical switches, sockets and appliances. The SOP strictly prohibits placing flammable items near electrical panels or heat sources, he added.
He said that the company would prominently display fire safety instructions and emergency contact numbers at key locations in all facilities.
He said that FESCO would also ensure the availability of essential firefighting equipment, including dry chemical powder extinguishers, foam-type extinguishers and sand buckets in transformer and oil handling areas while the offices would remain equipped with dry powder and foam extinguishers.
In case of fire or emergency, FESCO staff would immediately activate alarm systems and inform all personnel as well as the concerned Sub Divisional Officer (SDO), Resident Engineer, Executive Engineer (XEN) and fire brigade.
The officials would disconnect power supply, use appropriate firefighting equipment and shift staff to safe locations to prevent casualties, he added.
He said that the SOP further requires all installations to maintain clearly marked emergency exits to facilitate quick evacuation during hazardous situations. Employees must evacuate immediately when emergency alarms are activated.
He said that FESCO would conduct fire drills at least once every six months at all relevant installations to train employees in emergency response.
Authorities would maintain performance records of these drills and review them regularly while the staff would also receive practical training on the use of fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures, he added.
Director HSE Muhammad Kaleemullah reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to ensuring a safe and accident-free working environment.
He urged all officers and employees to strictly follow the issued guidelines to strengthen workplace safety across all FESCO installations.
