Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Industrial Buildings (Printing and Publishing Industry)
1999 Edition

IS 14689 advises several fire protection measures for printing industry structures, classifying them under Group G (moderate hazard) according to IS 1641. Buildings must be constructed as Type I with fire resistance ratings: 4 hours for external and load-bearing elements, 2 hours for internal walls, and floors matching the external shell's 4-hour rating per IS 1642. Fire safety installations vary with building height and plot size and include hose reels, wet risers, down comers, yard hydrants, and automatic sprinkler systems. Water storage and fire pump capacities are specified accordingly, with minimum pump pressure at 0.3 N/mm². Additional measures include maintaining proper humidity in machine rooms, grounding of machinery to avoid static build-up, guarding spark-producing machines, regular cleaning to prevent frictional fires, and provision of static eliminators. Storage rooms require automatic sprinklers compliant with IS 9972, and fire access aisles must be at least 2.5 m wide with a maximum spacing of 15 m.

IS 14689 mandates that highly flammable raw materials like inks, solvents, and thinners be stored in separate, fire-resistant detached buildings to minimize fire hazards. If detached storage is not feasible, these materials must be segregated appropriately from adjacent structures to prevent fire propagation. Paint mixing areas using flammable solvents should also adhere to this separation. Additionally, strict control is required during the use of volatile solvents like naphtha and gasoline, especially during cleaning operations. Storage facilities should be well-ventilated, equipped with fire detection and suppression systems, and maintain clear labeling and access control. Transport of flammable liquids must be in secure containers such as jerry cans with self-closing lids, and oily wastes stored in closed containers to prevent ignition.

To control static electricity hazards in printing machinery, IS 14689 stipulates proper earthing of all machines to safely dissipate static charges (Clause 8.3.1). It also recommends the installation of static eliminators on equipment that generates static electricity (Clause 8.3.6). Since static can ignite paper dust causing fire or explosion risks, controlling static build-up is critical. Regular inspection and maintenance of electrical connections, along with grounding, help mitigate fire risks associated with static electricity.

IS 14689 specifies fire water supply and sprinkler system requirements based on building height and plot area. For buildings under 15 m height with plot sizes up to 250 m², a 5,000-liter underground water tank with hose reel and wet riser installations is required, along with pumps delivering 450 l/min at 0.3 N/mm² pressure. Larger plots up to 1,000 m² necessitate increased water storage (up to 35,000 liters underground), automatic sprinkler systems, and higher capacity pumps (1,620 l/min electric and diesel, plus 180 l/min electric). For plots exceeding 1,000 m², water storage and pump capacities increase further, with mandatory fire alarm and detection systems. Buildings between 15 m and 18 m height require even larger capacities, including tanks up to 150,000 liters and pumps delivering 2,850 l/min, alongside comprehensive sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Sprinkler deflectors must be installed at least 1 meter above stored materials for effective coverage.

IS 14689 emphasizes stringent housekeeping and waste management to reduce fire risks in printing and publishing industrial buildings. Regular cleaning of drains prevents blockages that could exacerbate fire hazards. Waste accumulation zones should be maintained clean using cyclone or suction systems to efficiently remove combustible dust and debris. Oily wastes must be stored in containers with secure lids to avoid ignition sources. The code also requires routine vacuum cleaning of dust, especially explosive powders like cornstarch, and mandates immediate emptying of dust collectors. These practices collectively reduce fuel sources and ignition potential, thereby enhancing overall fire safety.