EQUIVALENT INITIAL FIRE SAFETY ASSESSMENT B.K. Bari, Taltoli, Mirzapur Bazar, Gazipur Sadar Gazipur Gazipur Dhaka The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 1/11
Introduction to the Report The following report contains a site profile and summary of non-conformities identified during an onsite assessment commissioned by the Alliance for Worker Safety (Alliance) and conducted by a third-party Qualified Assessment Firm (QAF). The assessment was conducted against the Alliance for Worker Safety Assessment Protocols (APs) and Fire Safety and Structural Integrity Standard, which is harmonized with the factory assessment guidelines developed by University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for the National Tripartite Plan of Action (NTPA). The goal of the Alliance process is to provide clear and practical technical requirements by which i Ready Made Garment (RMG) Factories producing for Alliance members may be consistently and fairly evaluated for fire, structural, and electrical safety in a non-duplicative manner. Each assessment will prompt action plans that will be used by RMG factories to systematically and sustainably improve safety conditions for garment workers. Beyond tracking and reporting on action steps taken in a transparent manner, the Alliance organization and its members will seek to further support factory improvements through technical assistance, training, implementation support for functional Worker Committees, and in some cases financial assistance and wage support for workers if factories are closed for remediation. The contents of the report do not constitute a guarantee of compliance with the applicable laws, the Alliance Standard or the absolute or continued safety against fire, electrical and/or structural integrity issues that may lead to injury or loss of life. The report is designed to provide a non-exhaustive summary of risk issues, based on a limited sampling and duration of time onsite by the named QAF. Neither the QAF nor the Alliance can certify or guarantee the quality, outcome, or effectiveness of actions taken in response to the report. For more information and report feedback please go to: www.bangladeshworkersafety.org. The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 2/11
GENERAL INFORMATION General Information Country: Province: City: Dhaka Gazipur Zip Code: Audit Duration: Re-Audit: Re-Audit After 0 Months Draft Report June 16,2014 Final Report June 30, 2014 Are all Action Items From Previous Assessment Completed?: Buildings in Complex: Is the building(s) owned or rented by the : Number of Building Levels (Stories): Approximate Building Area (SF): Date of Building Construction: Date of Last Building Renovation/Addition: Ancillary Structures in Complex: Approximate Ancillary Structures Area (SF): N/A Main production/office; Bonded Warehouse; Four wash/dying; Utility; chemical store, work shop, tag section,oven crinkle Owned office two story; One production with mezzanine; others 1 story Production 28,145 sq. ft. Unknown Unknown 10 Unknown The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 3/11
Number of Occupants: Number of Ancillary Levels (Stories): Occupancy Type: Construction Type: Height of est Occupied Floor Level Above Grade: 978 in two shifts 2 G2 Unrated construction 15 ft (4.57 m) The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 4/11
ASSESSMENT FINDINGS Fire Protection Construction Are openings and penetrations through rated walls and/or assemblies protected? 3 Wall penetrations are not protected with firestop systems. Photograph: Wall penetration from boiler room Install listed firestop systems at every penetration through fire rated walls and assemblies. Includes doors, windows, ducts, piping, etc. Reference Alliance Standards Part 4 Section 4.6 Opening Protectives and Section 4.7 Penetrations Fire Protection Systems Are notification and initiation devices for the fire alarm system installed at required locations based on occupancy type? 2 The office is provided with single station smoke alarms. The main production areas are provided with a smoke detection system that provides a signal to a fire alarm panel. The fire alarm system does not cover all buildings. Photograph: (1) Single station smoke alarm, (2) smoke detector Install fire alarm systems per NFPA 72. Include pull stations at all entrances to exit stairs, and at ground floor exits. Install strobes and horns for complete notification on all floors. Install smoke detectors that are part of the fire alarm system in Pull stations at egress points, smoke detectors in air handling equipment, visual and audible devices spaced appropriately based on occupancy type. Reference NFPA 72 Is the fire alarm and detection system monitored by a central station monitoring service or directly connected to the Fire Service and Civil Defense? The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 5/11
3 No central reporting system was installed. Visual Assessment: No central reporting fire alarm Arrange for direct connection of the fire alarm and detection system to a central station monitoring service or the Fire Service and Civil Defense. Assign a person to contact the fire department in the event of fire alarm activation until this connection Alliance Standard Part 5 Section 5.7.5 Monitoring Means of Egress Doors are not locked in the direction of egress under any conditions. All hasps, locks, slide bolts, and other locking devices have been removed where required. 3 Hasps and locks are installed. Photograph: Hasps and locks are installed. Remove all existing gates and doors in the means of egress including all locking devices. Install approved fire doors with compliant panic hardware that cannot be locked in the direction of egress under any conditions. Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.8 Doors and Gates All doors in a means of egress are of the side-hinged swinging type. 3 Sliding doors and gates and roll up doors were installed. Photograph: Rolling shutter at exit Remove all existing doors and gates in the means of egress. Install sidehinged doors with approved hardware that swing in the direction of egress. The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 6/11
Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.8 Doors and Gates Means of egress are free from impediments, obstructions, and stored materials. Keep means of egress continuously free and clear of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency. Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.3.8 Impediments to means of egress and Section 6.3.9 Reliability Doors along the path of egress have a minimum width of 0.8 m (32 in) and have required ratings. Exits connecting four or more stories shall be enclosed with a minimum 2-hr fire-resistance rating. Install side-swinging, self-closing, non-lockable fire doors of 1.5 hr rating which opens in the direction of egress in all stairwell enclosures as per All Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.5.6 Minimum Widths. Increased occupant loads will require a door width greater than 0.8 m. Landings are provided on both sides of doors used along the path of egress. Doors do not swing out over stairs. The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 7/11
Replace the door from its existing position toward the inside the floor so that door does not swing out over the stairs. Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.8 Doors and Gates Exterior exit stairs are separated from the building with the required rating. The rating of the exterior wall shall extend 3.05 m (10 ft) beyond the ends of the stair structure. Close all openings across the span of the stair and 10 feet on each side from the ground level to roof or 10 ft above the top most landing. Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.3.1.2. Three stories or less 1-hr rating. Four stories of more 2-hr rating Occupant loads are posted for every assembly and production floor in a conspicuous space near the main point of egress. 3 No occupant load signs are posted. Visual Assessment: No signage provided Post the occupant load for all assembly and production floor areas in a conspicuous space near the main exit or exit access doorway for the space. Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.4.4 Posting of Occupant Load Handrails are provided on both sides of each stairway. Intermediate handrails are provided when the stair width exceeds 2.2 m (87 in.). Handrails are not mounted lower than 760 mm (30 in.) or higher than 1100 mm (44 in.). 2 The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 8/11
No handrails were installed at exit discharge. Photograph: No handrails were installed at exit discharge. Provide handrails on both sides of all steps and stairways. Mount handrails at a height between 30 in. and 44 in. Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.9 Stairs and 6.12 Handrails and Guards All paths of egress are provided with compliant means of illumination. 1 Some emergency lights were installed and were on emergency power. Visual Assessment: Insufficient exit lighting Install emergency lighting for all paths of egress. Illumination needs to be a minimum of 10 lux for all corridors, exit doors and stairways. Illumination for aisles needs to be a minimum of 2.5 lux. Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.7 Egress Illumination and Part 10 Section 10.12 Illumination of Exit Signs and Means Of Escape Illuminated exit signs are placed at entrances to exits and along the path of egress anywhere the continuation of egress is not obvious or there is a change in the direction of the path of travel. 1 Lighted exit signs were installed only at the exits. Visual Assessment: Insufficient exit signage Provide continuously illuminated exit signs. Signs shall be placed at all required exits and along egress paths, especially where there is a change in direction for the path of travel. Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.11 Exit Signs Emergency power for means of egress illumination is verified at least once per year. If battery operated lights are used, these lights are tested on a monthly basis. Functional testing of battery powered lights is provided for a minimum The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 9/11
90 min once per year. Develop a testing and maintenance program that ensures that the operation of all exit signs is verified at least once per year. If battery-operated signs are used, these signs should be tested on a monthly basis. Functional testing of battery powered sign Alliance Standards Part 10 Section 10.12 Illumination of Exit Signs and Means Of Escape Lighting Emergency power for exit signs is tested at least once per year. If battery operated, these lights are tested on a monthly basis. Functional testing of battery powered signs is provided for a minimum 90 min once per year. Develop a testing and maintenance program that ensures that the emergency power for exit signs is tested at least once per year. If battery operated signs are used, these signs should be tested on a monthly basis. Functional testing of battery powered sig Alliance Standard Part 10 Section 10.12 Illumination of Exit Signs and Means Of Escape. Fire Safety Programs Fire Department pre-planning has been completed. Low The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 10/11
Complete fire department pre-planning activities with the local Fire Service and Civil Defense in accordance with Alliance Standard, Part-13, Section- 13.1.1(2). Alliance Standards Part 13 Section 13.1 Fire Safety Director A written housekeeping policy is established and enforced. Low According to Alliance Standard,Part-13,Section-13.6, establish written corporate and plant policies on housekeeping to ensure scheduled cleaning for floor, wall, ceiling, supply and return air ventilation systems. Promptly reschedule skipped cleanings. Pr Alliance Standards Part 13 Section 13.6 Housekeeping A hot-work permit program has been established. Low A hot work permit system program shall be enacted for all RMG facilities in accordance with NFPA 51B. Alliance Standards Part 13 Section 13.4 Hot Work Permit and NFPA 51B The Alliance for Worker Safety Page 11/11