He urged them to evolve SoPs at their factories to avoid casualties in case fire erupts and facilitate the flow of workers in a proper manner. He warned them that it took only 90 seconds for the fire to spread. He said that more people were killed because of smoke inhalation than fire itself. He also wanted factory owners to make their own regulations if there were none in the state's laws to protect workers.
Immediately after a fire breaks out, evacuation of workers from factory should start within three minutes, otherwise smoke will kill people trapped inside the premises. He said that a smooth evacuation would minimise chances of a stampede, which always resulted because of panic and lack of rescue planning.
Saifullah pointed out that slow combustion was more dangerous, saying that it was more fatal. He said factories should allocate proper space for cigarette smoking, adding that this helped avoid fire incidents. "Normally, when there is no such smoking facility at factories workers make use of hidden spaces or toilets to smoke cigarettes, which is dangerous, as half burnt cigarette causes slow combustion ... it remains unnoticed till a full blaze engulfs the building," he warned.
He said that smoke detectors should be installed inside factories besides locking doors should always be avoided. "The number of security guards should be increased if necessary, but doors of factories should not be locked," he advised. He said factory workers should be made aware of the importance of their own safety and security. He observed that fire-fighting awareness reduced damage. This was the first such international training course held in Pakistan.
The course covered fire safety and protection, fire spread and combustion, routine fire prevention measures, effective response during fire, risk assessment, coupled with workable models of evacuation, including fire drills and pre-planning etc. The course focused on fire safety laws in Pakistan and practical fire-fighting drills were also held to allow participants to make their own observations. This fire safety course also introduced an internationally-practised '5 Steps Risk Assessment Process'.
President and CEO of Wrap Avedis Seferian also spoke on the occasion via a webinar from the US. "Working in any manufacturing and industrial unit, staff must be able to control the fire, which can only be done through exclusive training along with practical drills. Factory workers must be well-trained and fully-aware about the fire safety needs, including all precautions and preventive measures to the level that no major or minor fire incident may ever occur in the workplace," he said. Started from December 17, 2012, a series training sessions are being held in Karachi and Lahore in collaboration with trade bodies and associations, including SITE Association, PRGMEA and Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association.