Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd. manufacturing complex was surveyed for fire safety
on 10/20/2015 by Jensen Hughes.
The purpose of the survey was to identify significant fire safety issues and to
provide recommendations for remediation based on applicable standards
specified by the Accord. The scope of this initial fire safety inspection was
limited to the review and identification of major fire safety issues. The
inspection did not include identification of minor deficiencies, which will be
further addressed as part of follow-up inspections.
Limitations
The information in this fire safety inspection report was obtained during a visit
to the facility and during interviews with local factory management. It has not
been possible to provide independent verification for all the information and
data collected, and, therefore, Jensen Hughes cannot accept general
responsibility for omissions or errors arising from inaccuracies in this report
from the information obtained.
The findings and recommendations in this report are not intended to imply,
guarantee, ensure or warrant compliance with any government regulations.
Additionally, the results do not imply in any way that compliance with the
findings or recommendations as stated in this report will eliminate all hazards,
risks or exposures or that hazards, risks or exposures not referred to in this
report do not exist. Compliance with the findings and recommendations stated
in this report does not relieve the factory owner from obligation to comply with
specific project requirements, industry standards, or the provisions of any local
government regulations.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 3
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Factory Address:
Durgapur, Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka
Points of Contact:
Bekash Chandra Sarkar,Asst. Manager
Penta Forth
01913117994
pentaforth@gmail.com
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 4
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Major Renovations / No
Additions
Other Tenants In No
Building
Ground Storage 15
First Finishing - Office 60
Second Sewing 250
Third Sewing 40
Fourth Sewing - Dining - Storage 70
Fifth Cutting 25
Construction Features
Non-Combustible Yes
Construction
Fire-Resistive Yes
Construction
Building Exposures
North Other factory building approximately 5 meters away from main
building.
Vertical Openings
Exit Stairs Enclosed in Yes
Fire-Rated Construction
(Accord 6.14)
Exit Stair Penetrations Yes
are Fire Rated (Accord
6.14)
Exit Stair Openings are Yes
Fire Rated (Accord 6.14)
Egress Features
Two (2) exit stairs serve the six story high-rise building. Egress from the ground floor was
provided by two (2) exits. Each floor had an adequate number of exits with sufficient exit
capacity based on occupant load. All exits were remotely located. The exit stairs are provided
with 1.5-hr fire-rated doors. UL testing certification tags were provided on the doors. All exits
discharged to the exterior of the building. There was storage located in the east exit stair on all
floors. Handrails were not present on both sides of both exit stairs on all floors. Electrical
panels were not located in the stairs.
Egress doors with locking features were present at exit discharge. All doors were open and
unlocked during the inspection. Emergency evacuation plans, stair designation signs and no
smoking signs were located at each exit stair. Fire drills are conducted monthly, records were
provided during the inspection. Daycare is located on the ground floor and is provided with the
proper travel distance requirements. The building was six stories and re-entry was not provided
within Accord standard. The boiler room on the first floor opens into the exit enclosure and is
not properly fire rated.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 7
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Ground 15 2 875
First 60 2 437
Second 250 2 437
Third 40 2 437
Fourth 70 2 437
Fifth 25 2 437
General
Number of Exits Per Yes
Floor is Compliant
(Accord 6.6)
Capacity of Exits Per Yes
Floor Is Compliant
(Accord 6.5.3)
Exits Remotely Located Yes
(Accord 6.6.6)
Exit Doors
Egress Doors are Side- Yes
Hinged (Accord 6.8.1)
Exit Stairs
All Exit Stairs Discharge Yes
Directly to the Exterior
(Accord 6.17)
Handrails Provided on No
Both Sides (Accord
6.9.2.4)
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 8
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Emergency Planning
Emergency Evacuation Yes
Plans Provided (Accord
13.3)
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 9
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Sprinkler System
No sprinkler system present in the building. Based on the height of the highest occupiable floor,
automatic sprinkler protection is not required.
Standpipe System
A Class II standpipe system was provided in the building. Hose cabinets with 1.5 in. hoses
were provided on the factory floor located adjacent to each exit stair entrances. The factory
building was over 10 m (33 ft) and requires a Class III standpipe system. If full coverage of an
automatic sprinkler system is provided, a Class I standpipe system is sufficient. No records or
assertions of regular testing or maintenance of the standpipe system were provided.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 10
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Hose Cabinet
Functional Test No
Conducted
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 12
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Adequate Yes
Number/Spacing
Location of Equipment Each floor had firefighting equipment staged outside the main
floor entrances.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 14
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Other Features
Elevator
No elevator was provided in the building.
Compressor Equipment
There were no compressors for this building/complex.
Boiler Room
Storage Areas
Rooms used for the storage of combustible materials on ground floor were not separated by
fire-rated construction. Areas are used for combustible storage are open to the factory floor,
were also present within the factory building. These areas were located on the first and fourth
floors and did not meet the pile dimension requirements. Storage areas were separated from
exit stairs. Storage of liquefied gas cylinders were not present in the factory building.
Hazardous material / flammable liquid storage was not provided in the factory building.
Additional fuel was not present in the generator area.
Location(s) Ground - First - Fourth
Additional Information
None
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 18
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
Table 1 summarizes the major fire safety issues identified during the inspection.
Recommendations have been provided to address each issue.
Remediation
No. Category Finding Recommendation Timeframe
F-1 Fire Rated Diesel fuel storage was Remove all diesel fuel Immediately
Construction located inside the storage from the generator
generator room. room and relocate to the
exterior such that the diesel
fuel storage is at least 10 ft
from required egress paths. If
located along egress paths or
in a utility building, separate
the diesel fuel storage with 2-
hr fire rated construction.
There shall be no diesel fuel
storage in a factory
production building.
F-2 Fire Rated Proper certification was Submit proper certifications Immediately
Construction not available for fire for installed fire doors to the
rated doors installed in ACCORD for approval. If not
the factory on each floor available, or certification is
for both exit stairs. not approved, install new,
properly certified fire rated
doors in accordance with
ACCORD direction.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 20
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-4 Fire Rated Unsealed [ electrical / Provide a minimum 2-hr fire- Within 3
Construction mechanical ] shafts are rated shaft to separate the months
located in the fire-rated utility risers from each floor
floor/ceiling assemblies. level and seal all
penetrations in floor/ceiling
assemblies to maintain the
fire separation.
F-5 Fire Rated Electrical panels were Remove and re-locate all Within 3
Construction located in the exit stair electrical panels from exit months
enclosure. stair enclosures.
F-6 Fire Rated The elevator does not Provide the proper [ 1 hr / 2 Within 3
Construction have the proper fire hr ] fire rating for the shaft months
rating for the ( shaft / and [ 1 hr / 1.5 hr ] fire rating
elevator door ). for the elevator door.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 21
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-7 Fire Rated Exit access corridors Provide exit access corridors Within 3
Construction are not provided with 1 with 1 hr fire resistance rating months
hr fire resistance rating or approved NFPA 13
or approved NFPA 13 sprinkler system.
sprinkler system.
F-8 Fire Rated The fire pump room is Provide fire pump room with Within 3
Construction not provided with 2 hr rated fire separation months
adequate fire when not sprinklered and 1
separation. hr rated fire separation when
provided with automatic
Specify location sprinklers, in accordance with
NFPA 20.
Specify conditions
F-10 Fire Rated The industrial dryers are Separate the industrial dryer Within 3
Construction not separated by fire- [ room / area ] by a minimum months
rated construction due 2-hr fire-rated construction.
to ( openings, non-rated Seal and/or protect all
doors, penetrations ). openings to maintain the
required fire separations.
Specify location(s) Provide proper ventilation
and consult with a qualified
engineer.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 22
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-11 Fire Rated The boiler room on the Separate the boiler room by a Within 3
Construction first floor is not minimum 1-hr fire-rated months
separated by fire-rated construction for non-high rise,
construction due to and 2-hr fire rated
openings and non-rated construction for high rise.
doors. Seal and/or protect all
openings to maintain the
required fire separations.
Provide proper ventilation
and consult a qualified
engineer.
F-12 Fire Rated Areas on the first and Provide defined storage Within 3
Construction fourth floor used for areas and limit the storage months
combustible storage arrangement as follows:
open to the factory are - Maximum height of 2.45m
not properly defined (8 ft) and maximum area of
and/or not within limits. 23m2 (250 ft2)
- If sprinkler protected:
maximum height of 3.66m
(12 ft) and maximum area of
93m2 (1000 ft2)
Separate areas of
unenclosed combustible
storage by a minimum clear
distance of 3m (10 ft).
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 24
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-13 Fire Rated Rooms on the ground Provide dedicated storage Within 3
Construction floor used for rooms separated by minimum months
combustible storage are 1-hr fire-rated construction.
not separated by a
minimum 1-hr fire-rated Where separate storage
construction. rooms are not feasible,
provide defined storage
areas and limit the storage
arrangement as follows:
- Maximum height of 2.45m
(8 ft) and maximum area of
23m2 (250 ft2)
- If sprinkler protected:
maximum height of 3.66m
(12 ft) and maximum area of
93m2 (1000 ft2)
Separate areas of
unenclosed combustible
storage by a minimum clear
distance of 3m (10ft).
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 25
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-14 Fire Rated Exit stair(s) are not Separate the exit stairs from Within 3
Construction separated from ( work from work areas and other months
areas, other spaces ) on building spaces on all floor
each floor by fire-rated levels by minimum [1-hr / 2-
construction due to hr ] fire-rated construction.
unportected openings Provide minimum [ 1-hr / 1.5-
and penetrations. hr ] fire rated doors and seal
all unprotected openings and
Specify location(s) if not penetrations to maintain the
all stairs / floors. fire seperation.
F-15 Fire Rated Fire-rated floor/ceiling Seal all penetrations and Within 3
Construction assemblies have openings in floor/ceiling months
unprotected openings / assemblies to maintain the
penetrations. fire separation.
Specify location(s)
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 26
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-16 Fire Rated The boiler room on the Openings from exit enclosure Within 3
Construction first floor discharges to boiler spaces shall be months
directly into exit stair provided with a vestibule with
enclosure. fire rated construction and
openings.
F-17 Fire Rated Atrium connecting two Provide proper fire protection Within 6
Construction or more stories is not in accordance with ACCORD months
properly protected. standard 3.7.
F-18 Fire Rated The exit discharge path Seal all penetrations and Within 6
Construction serving the [specify exit] openings to the interior of the months
is less than 10 ft wide building along the discharge
and is not separated path, up to a height of 10 ft,
from the building to provide a minimum 1-hr
interior. fire separation.
Alternatively, provide a
second remote discharge
path to the public way (only
include this if feasible).
F-19 Fire Rated Exterior exit stair is not Exterior exit stairs shall be Within 6
Construction properly separated from separated from the building months
the building. with a rating requirement of
[ 1 hr fire rating for 3 or fewer
Specify location stories or 2 hr fire rating for 4
or more stories ]. The rating
of the exterior wall shall
extend 3.05 m (10 ft) beyond
the ends of the stair
structure.
F-20 Egress Building did not have Provide occupant load signs Immediately
stair occupant load at required locations.
signs at required
locations.
F-21 Egress Fire drills are not Fire drills shall be conducted Immediately
performed as required on a quarterly basis in
by ACCORD standard. accordance with ACCORD
standard 13.2.
F-24 Egress Storage was located in Remove all storage from exit Immediately
the exit stair. stairs.
Specify location(s)
F-26 Egress The width of egress Provide minimum aisle widths Within 3
aisles is less than 36-in. of 36-in. months
Specify location(s)
F-27 Egress Each exit stairs serve Every door in a stair Within 3
more than 5 stories and enclosure serving more than months
do not have required re- 5 stories shall be provided
entry provisions. with re-entry unless it meets
ACCORD standard 6.8.3.1.
F-29 Egress The day-care room does Day-care shall be located on Within 3
not meet ACCORD the ground floor with a months
standard 3.4.2.1.1. maximum travel distance of 9
m (30 ft) or located one story
Specify location above level of exit discharge
with direct access to an exit
enclosure.
F-32 Egress [ Exit stair door / egress Modify the egress door to Within 3
door serving 50 or more swing in the direction of months
occupants ] does not egress travel.
swing in the direction of
egress travel.
Specify location(s)
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 31
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-34 Egress Occupiable roof is not All occupiable roofs shall be Within 3
provided with an provided with parapets or months
adequate parapet / guards with a minimum
guard rail. height of 1067 mm (42 in.)
F-35 Egress The width of an egress Provide minimum ramp width Within 3
ramp is less than 1.1 m of 1.1 m (44-in.) to meet months
(44-in.). ACCORD standard 6.10.1.
Specify location(s)
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 32
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-40 Egress Exits are not remotely Specify appropriate upgrade Within 6
located from each other based on conditions: months
such that a single fire - Modify exit arrangement to
event could compromise meet ACCORD standard
both exits. 6.6.6.
- Provide additional exit(s) to
Specify location(s) meet ACCORD standard
6.6.6.
- Provide sprinkler protection
in accordance with NFPA 13
to meet ACCORD standard
6.6.6.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 34
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-41 Fire Protection The fire alarm system is Replace the fire alarm Design
antiquated, not a listed system with a new, listed within 4
system and does not automatic fire alarm system months,
provide alarm and in accordance with NFPA 72 install within
notification features and ACCORD standards. 9 months
consistent with
acceptable standards.
F-42 Fire Protection The high-rise building Provide automatic sprinkler Design
has an occupied floor protection throughout the within 6
greater than 23m (75 ft) building in accordance with months,
and is not provided with NFPA 13 and ACCORD install within
automatic sprinkler standards. 12 months
protection.
F-43 Fire Protection Existing building greater Provide automatic sprinkler Design
than 2 stories with non- protection throughout the within 6
rated construction shall building in accordance with months,
not exceed 2000 m2 NFPA 13 and ACCORD install within
(22,000 ft2) per floor standards. 12 months
unless automatic
sprinkler protection is
provided throughout.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 35
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-44 Fire Protection Fire alarm system Submit as-built drawings, Within 1
installation requires testing records, equipment month
detailed review to certification and other
confirm compliance with relevant documentation to the
NFPA 72 and ACCORD ACCORD for review and
standards. approval.
F-45 Fire Protection Activation of the fire Configure the fire alarm Within 1
alarm system by a system to initiate automatic month
manual fire alarm occupant notification on all
station provides floor levels to facilitate whole-
automatic occupant building evacuation upon any
notification only on the manual fire alarm station
floor of alarm and not activation.
throughout the building.
F-46 Fire Protection Fire pump installation Submit as-built drawings, Within 1
requires detailed review testing records, equipment month
to confirm compliance certification and other
with NFPA 20 and relevant documentation to the
ACCORD standards. ACCORD for review and
approval.
F-50 Fire Protection Inspection, testing and Inspect, test and maintain the Within 3
maintenance for the fire fire alarm system and keep months
alarm system is not in written records on-site, in
accordance with NFPA accordance with NFPA 72
72. and ACCORD standards.
F-52 Fire Protection Inspection, testing and Inspect, test and maintain the Within 3
maintenance of portable portable fire extinguishers months
fire extinguishers is not and keep written records on-
in accordance with site, in accordance with
NFPA 10. NFPA 10 and ACCORD
standards.
F-53 Fire Protection Inspection, testing and Inspect, test and maintain the Within 3
maintenance of the fire fire pump system and keep months
pump system is not in written records on-site, in
accordance with NFPA accordance with NFPA 20
20. and ACCORD standards.
F-54 Fire Protection Inspection, testing and Inspect, test and maintain the Within 3
maintenance of the automatic sprinkler system months
automatic sprinkler and keep written records on-
system is not in site, in accordance with
accordance with NFPA NFPA 25 and ACCORD
25. standards.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 37
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-55 Fire Protection Inspection, testing and Inspect, test and maintain the Within 3
maintenance of the standpipe system and keep months
standpipe system is not written records on-site, in
in accordance with accordance with NFPA 14
NFPA 14. and ACCORD standards.
F-56 Fire Protection The fire alarm system Provide additional notification Within 6
does not appear to appliances such that the fire months
provide adequate alarm system is audible
audible notification throughout the building in
coverage. accordance with NFPA 72
and ACCORD standards.
Specify location(s) and if
functional test was
performed.
F-57 Fire Protection Fire pump is not Provide a fire pump in Within 6
provided and appears to accordance with NFPA 20 months
be needed for the and ACCORD standards, or
standpipe system and provide an alternative water
automatic sprinkler supply source capable of
system fire demand. meeting the required fire
protection demand, subject to
ACCORD approval.
F-58 Fire Protection Standpipe system is Install a new class III Within 6
required for the building, standpipe system in months
which has an occupiable accordance with ACCORD
floor 10 m (33 ft) or standard 5.4 and NFPA 14. A
more above grade. class I system shall be
permitted in buildings
protected throughout by an
approved automatic sprinkler
system.
F-59 Fire Protection Visible and audible Provide visible and audible Within 9
notification was not notification for the building in months
provided for the building accordance with NFPA 72.
in accordance with
NFPA 72.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 38
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-60 Fire Protection The building is equipped Remove single-station smoke Within 9
with single-station alarms. Provide automatic months
smoke alarms. Smoke smoke detection throughout
alarm activation sounds the building, tied into the fire
only a local alarm and alarm system, in accordance
does not provide with NFPA 72 and ACCORD
automatic fire alarm standards.
notification of
occupants.
F-61 Egress Exit signs were placed Remove exit signs from Immediately
Lighting in areas that were not noted areas to avoid
exits. confusion from actual exits.
Specify location(s)
F-62 Egress Exit signage was not Provide exit signs above all Within 1
Lighting provided ( at a building building exits to the exterior, month
exit / along a path of all doors to the exit stairs and
egress / in a readily along all paths of travel
visible location ). where a change of direction
is not obvious.
Specify location(s)
F-63 Egress Exit signage not Regularly inspect all exit Within 1
Lighting illuminated (burned out, signage and replace/install month
broken, etc.). lights as needed to illuminate
signs. The source of
Specify location(s) illumination shall provide not
less than 50 lux at the
illuminated surface with a
contrast of not less than 0.5.
Approved self luminous signs
which provide evenly
illuminated letters having a
minimum luminance of 0.2
cd/m2 may also be used.
Accord - Bangladesh RMG Fire Safety Inspection Page 39
Penta Forth Apparels Ltd.
F-64 Egress Emergency lighting did Regularly test the emergency Within 1
Lighting not function in test mode lighting system on each floor month
(burned out, broken, and replace/repair lights as
etc.). needed.
Specify location(s)
F-66 Egress Inspection, testing and Inspect, test and maintain the Within 3
Lighting maintenance for the emergency lighting system in months
emergency lighting the accordance with
system was not in ACCORD standards. Keep
accordance with written records on-site.
ACCORD standards.
F-67 Egress Based on the number Test the emergency lighting Within 3
Lighting and location of system on each floor and months
emergency lights provide additional emergency
observed, adequate fixtures to supply adequate
illumination levels are illumination along the means
not anticipated along of egress. Provide a
egress routes. minimum illumination of 10
lux at the floor level within
Specify location(s) exit stairs and along exit
discharge paths and a
minimum 2.5 lux along exit
access aisles.