Home Fire Safety & Operating Guide
Strict technical instructions based on the official Graha Kavach user manual. Learn how to identify hazards, position equipment, execute the PASS protocol, and react decisively during an emergency.
IN A LIFE-THREATENING FIRE: EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY AND DIAL 101.
High-Risk Fire Zones in Indian Residences
Over 85% of domestic fire tragedies originate in one of these five specific zones. Proper awareness enables early mitigation.
1. Kitchen Cooking Zone
Overheated frying oils, unattended gas burners, and degraded rubber LPG hoses. Cooking oil is flammable above 300°C and must never meet water.
2. LPG Cylinder Storage
Regulator connection points, pinhole leaks, and gas pooling in unventilated under-sink cabinets. Highly susceptible to delayed explosion.
3. Main MCB / Distribution Board
Loose terminal screws, circuit overload, and short-circuit sparks. Electrical fires produce toxic PVC smoke and spread rapidly along cable ducts.
4. Inverter & Battery Backup
Lead-acid battery off-gassing, thermal runaway during prolonged power cuts, and heavy current charger wiring located in utility areas.
5. Pooja Mandir & Diyas
Unattended oil lamps, camphor, and burning agarbatti in proximity to dry floral garlands, wooden woodwork, and decorative fabric.
6. Air Conditioners & Heaters
Overheated compressor coils, frayed power cords, and multi-plug daisy-chaining during peak summer or winter months.
Where to Mount & Position Your Equipment
Equipment that cannot be reached during an emergency is useless. Follow these exact positioning guidelines.
Exit Corridor / Hallway
- • Mount on wall bracket 1.0 to 1.5 metres above floor level.
- • Keep near exit doorway so you always fight with your back to safety.
- • Never hide inside deep cupboards or behind heavy furniture.
- • Avoid direct sunlight and moisture exposure.
30cm Above High-Risk Hazard
- • Fix metal cradle firmly with screws 30 cm above LPG cylinder or MCB panel.
- • Position above inverter battery bank or electrical clusters.
- • Ensure clear 360° dispersion path with no blocking partitions.
- • Do not install directly above open cooktop burners.
Kitchen Wall (Eye-Level)
- • Mount 1.5 metres from the floor near the kitchen exit door.
- • Position at least 2 metres away from the stove so you can reach it safely.
- • Ensure black pull-tapes hang freely downwards at all times.
- • Inform all household members and cooks of its location.
Operating the Extinguisher: The PASS Technique
Remember the four-step protocol. Stand 3 to 4 metres away with an exit behind you before initiating.
PULL the Pin
Firmly pull the metal ring pin straight out. This breaks the plastic tamper seal and unlocks the operating lever.
AIM Low at Base
Aim nozzle low at the base of the fire where the fuel is burning, not at the smoke or leaping flames.
SQUEEZE Lever
Squeeze the operating lever steadily. This discharges the pressurised MAP 90 dry chemical powder continuously.
SWEEP Side-to-Side
Sweep the nozzle back and forth across the burning fuel base until the flames are fully extinguished.
Fire Extinguisher Ball: Installation & Operation
Engineered for both autonomous stationary protection and active manual distance deployment.
Automatic Flame Activation
Install the wire cradle 30 cm above hazard spots. The ball requires no maintenance, batteries, or inspection for 5 years.
1. Thermal Trigger: Contact with open flame triggers ignition cord in 3–5 seconds.
2. Instant Burst: Internal charge bursts outer shell safely, dispersing MAP powder 360° over 8–10 m².
3. Audible Alarm: Emits a loud ~120 dB percussive report that awakens sleeping occupants immediately.
Manual Distance Deployment
Ideal for elders, teenagers, or anyone intimidated by traditional extinguishers.
1. Safe Distance: Stand 5 to 7 metres away from the active fire.
2. Roll or Toss: Roll the ball along the floor or toss it directly into the base of the fire.
3. Autonomous Action: Upon contacting the flame, it activates in 3–5 seconds without further input.
Fire Blanket: Kitchen Pan-Fire & Body Escape
1m x 1m pure fibreglass rated up to 550°C. Eliminates oxygen starvation safely without mess.
Kitchen Pan-Fire Smothering Procedure
- 1.Pull Tapes Downward: Grasp both black tabs hanging below the pouch and yank downward firmly.
- 2.Protect Your Hands: Roll top corners backward over your knuckles to shield hands from rising heat.
- 3.Drape Gently: Place blanket gently over the burning pan from front to back. DO NOT throw.
- 4.Turn Off Stove: Turn off burner knob and LPG regulator. Leave blanket in place until completely cold.
Emergency Escape Heat Shield
- 1.Wrap Body: Drape blanket completely over the person’s shoulders like a cape.
- 2.Cover Hair & Skin: Pull upper hem over head and hair to prevent ignition from radiant heat or falling sparks.
- 3.Crawl Low: Evacuate crawling beneath the smoke layer towards the nearest external exit.
- 4.Stop, Drop & Roll: If clothing catches fire before wrapping, stop, drop to floor, and roll while smothering with blanket.
Critical Emergency Do's & Don'ts
ALWAYS DO
- ✓ Dial 101 immediately: Alert the local fire service before attempting to fight any fire.
- ✓ Keep your back to an exit: Ensure an unblocked escape corridor behind you at all times.
- ✓ Alert all residents: Shout and wake up every occupant before taking action.
- ✓ Crawl low in smoke: Clean, breathable air stays within 30–60 cm of the floor.
- ✓ Shut doors behind you: Slows down fire growth and smoke migration while evacuating.
NEVER DO
- ✗ NEVER throw water on oil or grease: Causes immediate explosive steam fireball.
- ✗ NEVER use water on electrical fires: Water conducts electricity, causing severe shock.
- ✗ NEVER fight a spreading fire: If flames exceed wastebasket size, evacuate immediately.
- ✗ NEVER use elevators: Electrical failure can trap you in the shaft. Always use stairs.
- ✗ NEVER re-enter a burning building: Toxic carbon monoxide fumes can render you unconscious in seconds.
After the Fire: Post-Incident Checklist
1. Check for Smouldering
Ensure deep embers inside mattresses, insulation, or wood trim are not continuing to smoulder silently.
2. Ventilate Safely
Open windows only after the fire department confirms complete extinguishment to disperse lingering powder and smoke.
3. Discard Used Blanket
Used fire blankets cannot be re-packed. Dispose of safely and replace with a fresh unit immediately.
4. Recharge Extinguisher
Even partial discharge requires immediate professional cylinder recharging to restore working pressure.
Safety & Maintenance FAQs
How often should I inspect the Fire Extinguisher?
Inspect the pressure gauge once every month. Ensure the needle is resting firmly inside the green zone. If the needle drops into the red 'Recharge' zone, have the cylinder serviced immediately.
Will the Fire Ball activate from ambient room heat or summer weather?
No. The Fire Ball is designed with a specialized ignition fuse that only triggers upon direct contact with an open flame (temperatures above 70°C). It will not activate from room heat, steam, or summer climate.
Can I reuse a Fire Blanket after putting out a cooking fire?
No. Fire blankets are designed for single-use emergency suppression. After exposure to burning oil or direct flames, the micro-fibreglass structure is degraded and must be replaced.
What class of fires does the 2kg extinguisher cover?
The 2kg ABC Dry Powder extinguisher covers Class A (solid combustibles like wood, cloth, paper), Class B (flammable liquids like petrol, paint, thinners), Class C (flammable gases like LPG), and electrical equipment fires up to 1000V.
Why should water never be poured on a burning oil pan?
Burning oil exceeds 300°C. Water poured onto it sinks and instantly vaporises into steam, expanding by 1,700 times. This violently ejects the burning oil into a massive fireball that can engulf the entire kitchen.