1. Fire Safety and Contraband
INTRODUCTION:
SLIDE 1 of 1: INTRODUCTION (1 min)
YOUR ROLE (from the perspective of the instructor speaking to students):
Be clear on this point – ammunition, munitions, whatever you want to call them contain explosive materials. If something functions unintentionally, the effects are highly likely to propagate to other explosive items. This can cause a ‘domino effect’ potentially resulting in sympathetic detonations throughout an entire ammunition storage facility. Many people may well die, the facility will be destroyed, the tactical and strategic plans of the nation’s military will be severely compromised, it might bring down the government and key figures within the defence system.
You will not personally contribute to increasing the risk of this happening.
You will not allow anyone else to increase the risk either.
You may need to call on reserves of personal courage and moral standing to prevent things going wrong or getting worse.
Safety is everybody’s business. Including yours. Do not screw it up.
THE RESULT:
The photo shows what is left of an ammunition facility in the Ukraine, You do not want to be personally responsible for this, nor do you want to have been negligent in failing to implement an appropriate and adequate fire safety plan.
Such a situation will undoubtedly require specialist fire assistance from the local civilian authority, (if this is available).

2. The IATG and Fire Fighting
Fire-fighters shall only risk their lives, and only after appropriate risk analysis, to save saveable lives
Fire-fighters shall only risk their lives, and only after appropriate risk analysis, to save saveable property
Fire-fighters shall not risk their lives for lives and property that are already lost
INTRODUCTION:
SLIDE 1 of 1: THE IATG AND FIRE FIGHTING (2 min)
Fire plans will need to be done on a site-by-site basis. The IATG offers much detail on fire safety and contraband, in order to enable the staff of explosives facilities to liaise effectively with those local authority staff having a responsibility for preventing and fighting fires.
The IATG contains the principles and philosophy of fire-fighting, whilst also providing guidance on generic systems and procedures that should be applied. Definitive local policy can not be provided in this IATG on such matters as fire-fighting systems, numbers and the exact location of first aid fire-fighting equipment as this can only be determined after a detailed risk assessment. This should be undertaken in very close co-operation with specialist fire staff of the national technical authority.
The IATG philosophy is clearly stated in the documents – IATG 02:50. The overall philosophy of fire-fighting should be:
a) fire-fighters shall only risk their lives, and only after appropriate risk analysis, to save
saveable lives;
b) fire-fighters shall only risk their lives, and only after appropriate risk analysis, to save
saveable property; and
c) fire-fighters shall not risk their lives for lives and property that are already lost.

3. Fire Safety Plan FIRE SAFETY PLAN: (5 slides, 13 minutes)
SLIDE 1 of 5: FIRE SAFETY PLAN (6 min)
The Head of the explosives facility should be responsible for the development and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan (FSP). Each facility should have a nominated Fire Safety Officer (FSO).
The IATG should be referred to when devising a fire safety plan. In particular, there are different fundamental principles depending on whether the ammunition store houses are above ground or below ground. These should be integrated into fire safety plans for each site.
The FSP (Fire Safety Plan) itself should cover, as a minimum, the following:
Raising the alarm
Tasking emergency services
Evacuation plan for personnel
Pre-fire action plans for “Potential Explosion Sites” (PES)
A site plan
Design drawings – line drawings of each PES
Liaison mechanisms with local authority fire fighting and other emergency services
Staff training
A pre-drafted media briefing
To consider each of these in a little more detail:
Raising the alarm: There need to be appropriate, working fire alarms at appropriate locations throughout the site. Part of the plan should include frequent, routine testing of fire alarms.
Tasking Emergency Services: system to ensure the rapid response of supplementary local authority fire and rescue services is required, plus the ability to pass information to them en-route if necessary.
Evacuation Plan for personnel: This should include appropriate safety distances, arrangements for roll calls and the identification if persons are unaccounted for.
Pre-fire action plans for “Potential Explosion Sites” (PES): Deployment of warning signs, sprinkler systems, drenching systems and
first aid fire-fighting equipment.
A site plan: This shall be updated on a regular basis to reflect current stock levels. The plan should include locations of PES, separation distances, location of emergency water supplies, location of energy sources etc. Copies should be made available to ensure they can be rapidly handed over to the local authority Senior Fire Officer (SFO) or other external emergency services.
Design drawing: Line drawings of the PES should be available for the SFO.
Liaison mechanisms: Arrangements for regular liaison with local authority emergency services and regular joint training and briefings.
Staff training: Training requirements for unit staff
A pre-drafted media briefing: A pre-agreed media briefing should be available to reassure the local community that appropriate actions are being taken to resolve the situation safely.
A Fire Safety Plan is a ‘Level 1’ activity within the IATG in terms of the Risk Reduction Process Levels. It should be relatively easy to implement such a plan, and it should offer a good start for mitigating the fire risk in ammunition storage facilities.
There are a number of these aspects that we’ll look a little closer at now…

4. Measures to Reduce the Fire Risk
Ban smoking materials, lighters, matches and other means of ignition
Ban lighting of fires
In special circumstances, fire must be authorised by Head of Establishment under strict safety controls
FIRE SAFETY PLAN: (5 slides, 13 minutes)
SLIDE 2 of 5: EXPEDIENT MEASURES TO REDUCE THE FIRE RISK (2 min)
There are a number of expedient measures which can be implemented to reduce the risk of fire.
We will look at contraband towards the end of this lesson, but in short these are items which are banned from being taken into an ammunition storage site.
In addition, there are some common-sense ‘basics’ which should be considered. The SFO will also consider these in his or her planning…
Smoking materials, matches, lighters, car cigarette lighters and any other form of ignition shall be deemed to be contraband and not taken into a PES, except unless there are places deemed to be ‘smoking areas’.
Lighting of fires is to be banned. In the event of special circumstances, the head of establishment may give authority to light fires, but this decision must be based on a formal risk assessment. The Head Of Establishment shall decide the means of ignition, and only that means of ignition may be taken onto the site. The means of ignition needs to be kept in a lockable red box, and this red box is to remain in the possession of the person who has been authorised to use it. Authorisation is to be given in writing by the head of the establishment and shall state the purpose for which the means of ignition are required. The appropriate numbers/types of fire extinguishers shall be readily available and present. The fire department should be present during the fire. A safety monitor appointed by the head of establishment shall verify that the fire has been completely extinguished after its use. The safety monitor should normally be a member of the fire department.

5. Fire Alarm Systems FIRE SAFETY PLAN: (5 slides, 13 minutes)
SLIDE 3 of 5: FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS (1 min)
Fire alarm systems may be mechanical or electrical. For example a system wired into the site electrical circuit, perhaps the type where one smashes the small glass window to press a button, or perhaps an old fashioned hand cranked ‘air raid’ type siren which may be just as (or even more) efficient.
Fire alarms should be tested on a regular basis, (weekly for electrical systems and monthly for mechanical systems), and the results formally recorded.
Regardless of the type of alarm, the following are essential considerations if they are to be effective:
They must be readily accessible at all times
They must be clearly visible in the dark
They must be positioned so that the alarm can be quickly raised

6. Fire Practices
Allows the Fire Safety Officer to assess and improve the Fire Safety Plan
Allows staff the opportunity to learn their roles and actions
At least every 2 months – at irregular intervals
Include the local fire authority and rescue service
Keep a record of fire practices
FIRE SAFETY PLAN: (5 slides, 13 minutes)
SLIDE 4 of 5: FIRE PRACTICES (2 min)
A fire practice is essentially a rehearsal for the real thing. It offers two main benefits: (1) It allows the FSO to monitor and assess the success of the fire plan and thus to improve and correct inadequate or missing areas of the plan. (2) It offers the workforce the chance to learn their roles and actions in an environment that is conducive to learning, rather than having to think about it for the first time when a fire actually occurs.
Fire practices which test arrangements at the unit level should be held at irregular intervals of not less than two monthly. These should include fire and evacuation drills for ammunition process buildings. Intervals should be irregular to avoid the often encountered “Monday morning fire drill” when people expect the drill and so it becomes mundane and a ‘normal’ part of life – people just go through the motions and don’t think about it.
Regular liaison with the local authority fire and rescue service shall be maintained as their assistance will be required in the event of a major fire. Regular liaison visits and exercises should take place on an annual basis so that they are aware of the particular requirements of fire fighting within an explosives facility and that they are familiar with the layout of the explosives facility and the availability of water supplies etc.
Records should be maintained of each fire practice and a post exercise report prepared to identify any deficiencies.

7. Evacuation of Personnel
Means of escape
Fire access
Emergency lighting
Luminous guidelines (if underground)
Good equipment husbandry and routine ‘house keeping’ are essential to keeping the exit routes and doors clear and free from obstacles and combustible materials
FIRE SAFETY PLAN: (5 slides, 13 minutes)
SLIDE 5 of 5: EVACUATION OF PERSONNEL (2 min)
The following must be considered in terms of evacuation plans, noting that these are of course in the IATG documentation set:
Means of Escape (which also permits access if necessary) in the event of a fire:
Exit doors shall be kept clear and unobstructed.
Clear passageways and gangways through ammunition stocks within a PES shall be maintained. Painted lines should be used on the floor to indicate gangways and passageways.
Of worthy note here - good equipment husbandry and routine ‘house keeping’ are essential to keeping the exit routes and doors clear and free from obstacles and combustible materials.
Emergency Lighting:
Emergency lighting should be present in above ground explosive facilities.
Emergency lighting shall be present in underground explosive facilities.
Emergency lighting shall operate independently of, and automatically on failure of, the normal lighting system.
Luminous guidelines:
Luminous guide-lines indicating exit routes should be present on the floor of underground explosive facilities.

8. Fire Breaks and Vegetation
The Threat is real!
“The grass surrounding the depot ought to have been trimmed on a regular basis”
Major General (Retired) Ashok K Metha, Indian Army
Bharatpur Ammunition Depot, India
Fire on 28 April 2000 resulted in:
5 Fatalities
Evacuation of 10,000 people
US$ 90M of stock was destroyed
The grass had not been cut for 2 years as a cost saving measure!
FIRE BREAKS AND VEGETATION:
SLIDE 1 of 1: FIRE BREAKS AND VEGETATION (5 min)
The Three Area Plan:
The use of a ‘three area plan’ to reduce the risk of fire from vegetation for explosive storehouses and indeed field storage stacks should be considered. Such a plan should have the following conditions:
Area 1. No vegetation should be permitted within 1 m of a PES (with the exception of earth covered buildings) -this will provide a basic fire-break.
Area 2. Whenever possible, no vegetation over 5 cm in height should be permitted within a further 5 m of a PES (i.e. out to 6 m). No vegetation longer than 5 cm on, or within 5 m of, earth-covered buildings, or on traverses should be permitted within 5 m of a PES. This will allow for the detection of ejected unexploded articles from any explosion.
Area 3. Beyond 6m, the length of vegetation should be in accordance with a site locally assessed risk.
Control of trees and shrubs:
Trees and shrubs may be permitted within explosives areas provided that they do not provide a means by which a fire can bridge a firebreak.
Conifers and spruce should to be kept at least 30 m away from explosives facilities. Other types of tree should be kept at 15 m.
Trees should be regularly maintained by a competent person to ensure that they remain healthy, are less susceptible to storm damage and cannot hazard the PES or the contents.
Cut vegetation:
Cut vegetation, such as grass clippings, fallen branches, hay, etc, should be removed from the short grass areas around PES immediately after cutting.
If the cuttings are removed to a distance of at least 50 m from a PES, they may be temporarily stacked to await removal. Such removal shall be completed within 3 days from the date of cutting.
Cut vegetation should not be burnt within the explosives facility.
Agricultural chemicals:
Only chemicals and fertilisers whose residue does not produce or cause a significant fire risk may be used to control vegetation in explosives facilities.
(INSTRUCTOR: Click now to reveal text box).
In April 2000, there was a fire at the Bharatpur Ammunition Depot in India. The fire resulted in 5 fatalities, the evacuation of 10,000 people, and US$ 90 million worth of stock was destroyed. The grass had not been cut for 2 years as a ‘cost saving measure’.

9. Immediate Fire Fighting and Appliances
IMMEDIATE FIRE FIGHTING AND APPLIANCES (4 slides, 12 min):
SLIDE 1 of 4: IMMEDIATE FIRE FIGHTING AND APPLIANCES (a) (2 min)
There are a number of pre-emptive measures that can be taken to assist in fire fighting:
Emergency Water Supplies (EWS): Clearly, water would be desirable for fire fighting. IATG provides detail on EWS and this should be considered. EWS could be (for example) mains hydrants, natural lakes and rivers, man-made stand-alone water tanks, or even engineered canals or reservoirs. The outlet of the water supply must be compatible with the fire fighting equipment. There will be little point having an ample supply if hosepipes cannot be connected up to it. EWS should be checked monthly and the tests recorded. The location of EWS should be marked on the site map. They should also be sign posed and marked in the actual location. An example of an EWS sign ,in black and yellow, is shown on the slide.
Fire signs and symbols: We have already seen the fire division signs that show the fire fighters what the fire hazard is. These are on the slide as well to aide you recall of these. In addition, there are recognised symbols for ‘supplementary’ hazards, for example if the fire fighters need to wear breathing apparatus. These are also shown on the slide.

10. Immediate Fire Fighting and Appliances (IFFA)
Inside and outside Primary Explosion Sites (PES)
Type/quantity determined by SFO – see IATG
Determined by building type
IMMEDIATE FIRE FIGHTING AND APPLIANCES (4 slides, 12 min):
SLIDE 2 of 4: IMMEDIATE FIRE FIGHTING AND APPLIANCES (b) (4 min)
Immediate fire fighting appliances:
Immediate fire fighting appliances (IFFA) shall be made available within and outside PES. Of note here, this does not necessarily mean that IFFA need to be permanently located within explosive storehouses (ESH). They may taken to the ESH on each visit. They must however be present though when people are there.
The type and quantity of IFFA should be determined by an appropriate SFO. Again of note here, "ABCE Generic Dry Powder" extinguishers are now available that have the versatility to be used on all types of fire. These extinguishers should replace current foam and water extinguishers on a rolling replacement programme.
The requirements for the type and quantity of IFFA should also be determined by the building use, which is clearly stated in the IATG:
a) Explosive Storehouses (ESH). Portable fire water and foam extinguishers should be available and capable of extinguishing small fires within the ESH due to electrical faults or accidents. Fire beaters should be available outside the ESH to fight small vegetation fires.
b) Ammunition Process Buildings (APB). Fixed IFFA installations such as hose reels should be available within APB. Fire beaters should be available outside the APB to fight small vegetation fires, although the hose reels should have sufficient length to also do this.
c) Transit facilities. The risk at transit facilities is usually one of vehicle fires. Fixed IFFA installations such as hose reels should be available within transit facilities. Portable foam IFFA should be available for electrical fires on vehicles. Fire beaters should also be available outside the transit facility to fight small vegetation fires, although the hose reels should have sufficient length to also do this.
You will see here that all buildings, generally speaking, require fire beaters outside to tackle small vegetation fires. The fire fighting equipment inside the building depends on the use and the risk, but is likely to be either portable fire extinguishers or hose reals.

11. Major Fire Fighting Appliances
IMMEDIATE FIRE FIGHTING AND APPLIANCES (4 slides, 12 min):
SLIDE 3 of 4: MAJOR FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES (1 min)
In some States the local authority fire and rescue service may be available to support fire fighting activities, and they would have the major appliances (such as tenders, mobile pumps and extendable ladders) necessary to fight major fires. Bear in mind that such services need to be included in development of the fire plan, in liaison activities, and in fire practices.
In other locations however, such services may not exist. For those explosive facilities where local authority fire and rescue support is unavailable a much larger scale of major fire fighting equipment should be held within the explosives area.
Staff need to be trained to operate such equipment and should also be trained in how to fight major fires.
Professional fire fighting personnel should be used to develop the appropriate training packages and to deliver such training. Similarly, their advice shall be sought as to the type and quantity of major fire fighting equipment required for each particular explosives facility.

12. Unit Immediate Actions
Immediate fire fighting by unit personnel
Major fire fighting
IMMEDIATE FIRE FIGHTING AND APPLIANCES (4 slides, 12 min):
SLIDE 4 of 4: UNIT IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (5 min)
There should be two types of fire fighting measures:
a) Immediate fire fighting by unit personnel. This may involve the use of equipment such as portable extinguishers. It shall only be conducted during the early stages of a fire.
b) Major fire fighting. This shall be conducted by trained fire personnel and will involve the use of a wide range of equipment such as mobile fire appliances and Self Contained breathing Apparatus. It could be undertaken by specially trained unit staff or by local authority fire and rescue services (if available).
Unit Immediate Actions:
The following immediate actions should be taken by unit staff if a fire is detected before any ammunition and explosives are involved, and it is small enough to be dealt with by unit level fire fighting equipment:
a) Unless ammunition or explosives are already on fire, immediately attempt to extinguish or control the fire with the immediate fire-fighting equipment available.
b) Sound the fire alarm.
c) Evacuate all non-essential personnel in the immediate vicinity of the fire to an appropriate safe distance.
d) Immediately call the appropriate fire and rescue service and request their assistance, (as time may be a factor later on if first aid fire-fighting fails).
e) Prepare personnel for a wider evacuation should immediate fire-fighting fail to extinguish or control the fire.
Should the immediate fire-fighting actions fail to control the fire and it begins to spread towards the ammunition and explosives the following immediate action should be taken:
a) All personnel are to be evacuated to an appropriate safe distance based on the separation distance for the potential explosion site involved in the fire.
b) A roll call should be taken to ensure that all unit personnel and visitors are accounted for.
c) The fire and rescue service should be alerted (en route of necessary) that immediate fire fighting has failed and that the fire is spreading towards the ammunition and explosives.
d) the Fire Safety Plan (FSP) should be fully instigated.
Furthermore…
The SFO will require a briefing, in order to direct activity accordingly.
If the fire still continues to develop, major fires will need to be fought in accordance with the direction and instructions of the SFO based on the principles mentioned at the beginning of this lesson.
Unit personnel shall follow all instructions from the SFO who shall command all fire fighting activities. He/she shall be advised on explosive risks by a senior ammunition trained and qualified officer

13. Contraband
FIRE SAFETY AND CONTRABAND - CONTRABAND: (2 slides, 7 minutes)
SLIDE 1 of 2: CONTRABAND (1 min)
“The entry of certain items into explosives facilities is strictly controlled. These are known as controlled articles or “contraband”.”
(Instructor: Click mouse to show sample contraband notice, which is an extract from IATG 06:10, Annex C).
C10 Slide 13

14. FIRE SAFETY AND CONTRABAND - CONTRABAND: (2 slides, 7 minutes)
SLIDE 2 of 2: CONTRABAND (6 min)
The entry of certain items into explosives facilities is strictly controlled. These are known as controlled articles or “contraband”.
Cases of doubt regarding the status of a particular item shall be referred to the head of the establishment and if necessary the national technical authority.
Contraband Notice:
A sign, which is a “Contraband Notice”, shall be prominently displayed at all of the entrances to all explosives facilities.
This notice is to be produced locally to the required size as designated by the head of the establishment or national technical authority.
Details of the contraband items (and exceptions) can be found the IATG 06:10. Note that a Contraband system is a Level 1 method in terms of the Risk Reduction Process Levels.
Contraband items:
Matches or any other means of producing flame or high temperatures.
Tobacco in any form, including snuff.
Any articles used in connection with smoking.
Radio transmitters or receivers, including mobile phones and car key fobs.
Tools and other equipment.
Any battery or mains operated item.
Unauthorised explosives.
Dangerous or flammable substances.
Cameras.
Firearms.
Drugs and Medicines.
Metal shod footwear.
Magnetic Therapy Products.
Commercial vehicles unless specifically authorised.
Nothing should be carried by the individuals inside explosives facility except a handkerchief
and writing materials. All personal belongings should be left at the gate, secured in the locker
provided.
Food and Drink. Food and drink shall be declared on entry and shall only be consumed at
authorised locations. Food and drink shall not be consumed inside any explosives building.
Searching of personnel:
Before entering an explosives facility all personnel shall search their pockets and bags and deposit outside the entrance any controlled articles that they have with them.
A suitable, secure personal container should be provided for the reception of such articles. All persons employed in or visiting an explosives facility may, if they consent, be subjected to a thorough search at the entrance before entering and when leaving, or at any time whilst they are in the explosives area.
The search is to be made in accordance with national technical authority regulations. Should they not consent then they should be prevented from entering or leaving until the head of establishment makes a decision on the appropriate next steps.
Personnel shall only be searched by personnel of the same gender. Any body search policy should be determined by the national technical authority. Searches shall be carried out at random intervals and a record maintained. Personnel unwilling to consent to search shall not be admitted to an explosives facility.
Visitors are also liable to be searched if this is considered desirable by access control personnel. Visitors who do not submit to this liability are to be refused admittance. Before any visitor is searched, reference is to be made to the head of the establishment

15. Questions? Are there any questions? (allow 5 minutes for questions)
If there are no questions, test their understanding about asking about ISO, Risk Reduction Process Levels, and the structure of the IATG document set.
C10 Slide 15