PACDA issues advice to avoid summer fires

Muscat: The Public Authority for Civil Defense and Ambulance (PACDA) has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection in industrial facilities to avoid summer fires.

"Property damage and material losses due to fires are being caused because of the high temperatures expected during the summer and the failure of some industrial establishments in meeting requirements of civil protection," PACDA said.

According to data published by the authority, the number of recorded fires in industrial facilities in 2019 reached 47 fire accidents, compared to 61 fire accidents in 2018, with a decrease of 23 per cent.

In order to prevent fires in industrial installations, the PACDA has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection, such as periodic maintenance of the facility's fire and alarm systems, and the implementation of safety procedures in storage, and other aspects that pose a threat to the facilities, their employees and their users.

PACDA has also called for the preparation of an emergency plan for the facility and to train workers on how to implement it. They added that, "the authority is ready to provide support and assistance in preparing the emergency plan for the facilities and carrying out practical exercises to ensure the suitability of the plan with the nature and size of the facility."