Fire Safety Technical Symposium : ATI ONGC’s Path to Excellence

Fire Safety Technical Symposium: ONGC’s Path to Excellence with Industry and Academic Partners

ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) has set a remarkable benchmark for fire safety in the energy sector through its Advanced Training Institute (ATI) in Betul, Goa. Recognized as a global leader in fire safety education, ATI hosted the Fire Safety Technical Symposium under the theme ‘अग्रसर – The Way Forward for Excellence in Fire Safety.’ The event brought together experts and industry leaders to discuss innovations, emerging trends, and the future of fire safety in high-risk operations.

ONGC ATI: A Hub for Fire Safety Training

Established in 1989, ONGC’s ATI in Betul, Goa, is a 250-acre state-of-the-art training facility dedicated to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) and firefighting. Offering over 50 world-class courses, the institute has become a cornerstone of fire safety education, exceeding international standards in Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE), as well as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics.

The Fire Safety Technical Symposium highlighted ATI’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies and fostering collaborations to enhance fire safety across industries.

The Power of Collaboration

The symposium began with a keynote address by Sanjeev Kapoor, Head of Fire Services at ONGC. He emphasized the importance of adopting advanced fire safety technologies and collaborating with academic and research institutions to improve fire safety standards. Kapoor reinforced ONGC Fire Services’ motto, “Strong and Always Alert,” and stressed the need for continuous innovation and improvement in fire safety practices.

Presentations by Leading Experts

The event featured insightful presentations from leading experts, showcasing the latest research and advancements in fire safety.

Opportunities in Fire Safety Testing

Jagdish V, from IIT Gandhinagar’s Fire Engineering Research Laboratory (FERL), discussed opportunities in fire safety testing, emphasizing the alignment of national and international standards. He highlighted the significance of industry-academia collaborations, which enable young professionals to gain hands-on technical expertise through IIT Gandhinagar’s resources.

Driving Innovation in Fire Engineering

Anand Pandey, Business Development Head at IIT Gandhinagar’s Research Park, followed with a presentation on driving innovation in fire engineering. He addressed contemporary challenges and ongoing research to develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of fire safety.

International Contributions to Fire Safety

Experts from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global leader in safety science, shared insights into their contributions to fire safety. Suresh Shanmugam, Business Manager for South Asia, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand, and Renoy Ranjan, Engineering Leader for UL South Asia, discussed advancements in fire suppression products, testing firefighting chemicals, and exploring alternatives to traditional firefighting agents like NOVEC 1230.

Case Studies and Emerging Trends

Significant Fire Incident at Gujarat Refinery

Ashish Gawande, DGM (Fire Services) at ONGC, presented a detailed case study of a significant fire incident at the Gujarat Refinery (IOCL Refinery, Koyali, Vadodara), offering insights into lessons learned and mitigation strategies.

Battery Room Fires and Mitigation Measures

Prashant B. Ganvir, DGM (Fire Services), delivered a technical presentation on ‘Emerging Trends in Battery Room Fires and Mitigation Measures,’ focusing on the unique challenges posed by these incidents.

Expanding Knowledge Beyond Borders

To maximize the symposium’s impact, over 45 Fire Services executives participated virtually, engaging with experts and discussing practical applications. This virtual interaction facilitated the exchange of knowledge, strategies, and real-world solutions to address challenges in fire safety.

IIT Gandhinagar: Advancing Fire Safety Research

IIT Gandhinagar’s Fire Engineering Research Laboratory (FERL) leads fire safety research with state-of-the-art facilities such as automated panel furnaces and G+2 fire testing setups. The institute focuses on addressing emerging fire safety challenges in urbanized settings and developing advanced engineering solutions.

UL Solutions: Decades of Expertise in Fire Safety

UL Solutions, a pioneer in fire safety innovation, shared its contributions to developing fire protection equipment and advancements in firefighting chemicals. Their strategies for improving cost-effectiveness while maintaining the highest safety standards continue to shape the future of fire safety.

A Significant Milestone: SOP Compendium Launch

As part of the symposium, ONGC launched the Compendium of Standard Operating Procedures for Firefighting Equipment & Guidelines. This comprehensive digital resource sets a new standard for operational excellence in firefighting and serves as an essential reference for Fire Services professionals across ONGC.

ONGC’s Commitment to Fire Safety Excellence

By hosting this symposium, ONGC reaffirmed its commitment to adopting the latest safety measures and fostering collaborations with leading institutions like IIT Gandhinagar and UL Solutions. The event not only enhanced ONGC’s capabilities in fire prevention but also underscored its leadership in establishing new safety benchmarks for high-risk industries worldwide.

The Fire Safety Technical Symposium provided a valuable platform for sharing the latest innovations, addressing emerging challenges, and collaborating to improve fire safety standards. With a continued focus on research, collaboration, and technological advancements, ONGC remains at the forefront of setting new safety standards and ensuring a fire-safe environment across its operations.

Conclusion

By hosting the Fire Safety Technical Symposium, ONGC reaffirms its role as a global leader in fire safety standards. With collaborations spanning academic research and industry innovations, ONGC is setting new benchmarks in safety for high-risk industries worldwide. Together with partners like IIT Gandhinagar and UL Solutions, ONGC is committed to advancing fire safety and fostering a secure future.