EQUIVALENT INITIAL FIRE SAFETYsfi.fairfactories.org/sfi_dev_files/1/Audit_Files/Armana Apparels...

EQUIVALENT INITIAL FIRE SAFETYASSESSMENT

Factory Name: Armana Apparels Ltd

Address: 232-234 Tejgaon Industrial Area Tejgaon, DhakaDhaka Dhaka Bangladesh

Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013

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The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety Page 1/17

Introduction to the Report

The following report contains a site profile and summary of non-conformities identified during an onsite assessment commissioned by theAlliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) and conducted by a third-party Qualified Assessment Firm (QAF). The assessment wasconducted against the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety Assessment Protocols (APs) and Fire Safety and Structural Integrity Standard,which is harmonized with the factory assessment guidelines developed by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) forthe Bangladesh National Tripartite Plan of Action (NTPA). The goal of the Alliance process is to provide clear and practical technicalrequirements by which Bangladeshi Ready Made Garment (RMG) Factories producing for Alliance members may be consistently and fairlyevaluated for fire, structural, and electrical safety in a non-duplicative manner. Each assessment will prompt action plans that will be used byRMG factories to systematically and sustainably improve safety conditions for garment workers. Beyond tracking and reporting on actionsteps taken in a transparent manner, the Alliance organization and its members will seek to further support factory improvements throughtechnical assistance, training, implementation support for functional Worker Committees, and in some cases financial assistance and wagesupport 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 orcontinued safety against fire, electrical and/or structural integrity issues that may lead to injury or loss of life. The report is designed to providea non-exhaustive summary of risk issues, based on a limited sampling and duration of time onsite by the named QAF. Neither the QAF northe 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.

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd

Address: 232-234 Tejgaon Industrial Area Tejgaon, Dhaka Dhaka DhakaBangladesh

Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



GENERAL INFORMATION

General Information

Factory Name: Armana Apparels Ltd

Address: 232-234 Tejgaon Industrial Area Tejgaon, Dhaka Dhaka Dhaka Bangladesh

Country: Bangladesh

Province: Dhaka

City: Dhaka

Zip Code: 1208

Audit Duration:

Re-Audit: Re-Audit After 0 Months

Draft Report Date: June 24, 2014

Final Report Date: June 30, 2014

Are all Action ItemsFrom PreviousAssessmentCompleted?:

N/A

Buildings in Complex: Building 1

Is the building(s) ownedor rented by the Factory:

Rented

Number of BuildingLevels (Stories):

Eleven story high-rise

Approximate BuildingArea (SF):

115,000 sq. ft.

Date of BuildingConstruction:

1996

Date of Last BuildingRenovation/Addition:

N/A

Ancillary Structures inComplex:

None

Approximate AncillaryStructures Area (SF):

N/A

Number of Occupants: 1,950

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Number of AncillaryLevels (Stories):

N/A

Occupancy Type: Overall - G2; The factory consists of the following occupancies and uses: • Ground: laundry (other tenant),generator • 1st Floor: offices, product development (sewing), finished goods storage, • 2nd Floor: day care,fabric storage of rolls to 8 ft. • 3rd Floor: sewing (bar tack), boiler, accessory storage. This storage consists ofmostly Class III and Class IV commodities on 9 ft. solid shelf racks. Most of the storage is up to the deck at 10ft. There is also storage on the floor to 8 ft. • 4th Floor: cutting • 5th/6th Floor: finishing, packing • 7th/8th/9th:sewing, shelf storage of in-process material to 8 ft. • 10th Floor: dining

Construction Type: The buildings are essentially of concrete and brick construction. Floors are steel-reinforced poured in placeconcrete. Exterior walls are concrete with brick inserts and windows are set in masonry frames.

Height of HighestOccupied Floor LevelAbove Grade:

110 ft.

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



ASSESSMENT FINDINGS

Fire Protection Construction

Question: Are openings and penetrations through rated walls and/or assembliesprotected?

Priority Level: High

Non-Compliance Level: 3

Description: Walls and doors around exit enclosures, floor penetrations, and hazardseparations are not properly protected with fire-resistive rated openingprotectives.

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: Multiple openings in walls and floors.

Suggested Plan ofAction:

Provide fire-resistive rated opening or penetration protection for rated wallsand assemblies. Consult a qualified fire protection engineer to design therequired opening protectives or penetration systems.

Suggested DeadlineDate:

30 Nov 2014

Standard: Includes doors, windows, ducts, piping, etc. Reference Alliance Standards Part4 Section 4.6 Opening Protectives and Section 4.7 Penetrations

Question: Are exit enclosures provided with fire-resistive rated construction barriers?



Description: The building has 2 exit stairs. The West stair is located on the front side of thebuilding. The East stair is located on the rear side of the building. Each stair isopen to the floor on all levels with sliding gates that are kept in the openposition du

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) West Stair floor opening (2) Window in East Stair (3) Windowin West Stair


Remove the existing sliding gates that separate the production floors from thestairs and replace them with automatic-closing, side-swinging, fire-rated doorsin fire rated frames with latching panic hardware. These doors should be aminimum 39 inches (1 m) wide with a total opening of at least half the existingstair width to maintain the flow of pedestrian traffic. These doors should swingin the direction of egress from the production floor toward the stair. Provide 90-min. fire-rated doors at all other openings into the stair enclosures includingthe door from the laundry to the East stair on the Ground Floor. Fill in thewindows on the south side of the West exit stair with 2-hr. rated constructionmaterials to eliminate the exposure from the pharmaceutical factory to thesouth. This should be done on from the Ground Floor to the 7th Floor. Fill inthe windows on the east side of the East stair with 2-hr. rated constructionmaterials to eliminate the exposure from the buildings to the east. This should

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



be done on from the Ground Floor to the 1st Floor.


30 Sep 2014

Standard: Reference Alliance Standards Part 4 Section 4.5 Separation

Question: Are shafts provided with the minimum fire-resistance rating?



Description: There is one elevator in the building, located adjacent to the Main Stair. Theelevator shaft openings have doors at each level except at the top where onlya non-rated door separates the elevator equipment room from the stair.

Source of Findings: Photograph: Elevator opening to West Stair


Separate the elevator equipment room from the remaining portions of thefacility with 2-hour fire-rated construction. This includes providing rated firedoors at all openings.


30 Sep 2014

Standard: Reference Alliance Standards Part 4 Section 4.5.7.1 through 4.5.7.3

Question: Is each floor separated with a fire-resistive rated construction barrier?



Description: There is a vertical opening in each floor for the electrical service that proceedsthrough the building. These openings are neither enclosed in a fire-rated shaftnor separated at the floor opening.

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) Floor electrical penetration (2) Detail of floor electricalpenetration


Provide 2-hour fire resistive rating for all vertical penetrations by providing afire-resistive rated sealant at each floor penetration.


30 Sep 2014


FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Question: Are separations between hazards provided with fire-resistive ratedconstruction barriers.

Priority Level: Medium


Description: There are several areas of the facility that have contents that present a greaterhazard than the predominate occupancy. This includes: storage on the 1st,2nd, and 3rd Floors, and the boiler on the 3rd Floor.

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) Opening from Product Development and Finished GoodsStorage (2) Opening between Sewing and Accessories Storage (3) Boiler notseparated from egress path (4) Egress path next to boiler


Separate all material storage areas from the remaining portions of the facilitywith 1-hour fire-rated construction. This would include installing dampers at theopenings between the Product Development and Finished Goods storage onthe 1st Floor. Separate all hazard areas including the boiler room and elevatorequipment room from the remaining portions of the facility with 1-hour fire-rated construction. This includes providing rated fire doors at all openings intothese hazard areas.


30 Nov 2014


Fire Protection Systems

Question: Is the building protected by an automatic sprinkler system?



Description: Automatic sprinkler is not provided for this high-rise building.

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: No sprinkler system or supply installed.


Provide automatic sprinkler protection throughout the facility. The installationof sprinkler protection should be conducted in phases. The first phase wouldbe to protect all storage areas. Prior to installation, the system should beproperly designed by a qualified fire protection engineer and plans should besubmitted to the Alliance for review.


31 Jan 2015

Standard: Reference Alliance Standards Part 3 Section 3.5.3 Existing Buildings, Part 5Section 5.3 Automatic Sprinkler Systems and Section 6.13 Travel Distance

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Question: Does the building have a fire pump?



Description: No fire protection pump and supply installed. Only gravity tanks on roof.

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: No pump installed.


Provide a water supply system capable of serving the hydraulic demand forthe automatic sprinkler/standpipe system as described above. This will requirethe installation of a fire pump and tank sized to meet the demands inaccordance with NFPA 20 and NFPA 22.


31 Jan 2015

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 5 Fire Protection Systems

Question: Are notification and initiation devices for the fire alarm system installed atrequired locations based on occupancy type?



Description: There is a manual fire alarm system in the main building. The system isactivated by push buttons located at the entry to the stairs. The alarm systemis designed for general evacuation, alerting all occupants at the same timethrough horns and beacons (s

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) Single station smoke alarm (2) Fire alarm horn


Install initiating devices and notification appliances as required by the AllianceStandard and NFPA 72. Devices should be part of an automatic fire alarm anddetection system for the facility.


31 Oct 2014

Standard: Pull stations at egress points, smoke detectors in air handling equipment,visual and audible devices spaced appropriately based on occupancy type.Reference NFPA 72

Question: Does the building have a Standpipe System?



Description: Four hose stations are provided at each floor. These hoses are supplied withpressure from a gravity tank located on the 10th floor (Roof) that isapproximately 13,000 gal (50,000 L).

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: Only small hose stations installed.

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013




Provide standpipe systems in each stairwell capable of meeting the fireprotection demand for hose connections and automatic sprinkler protection.The standpipe should be sized with a minimum 6 in. supply pipe and 3 in.drain pipe. The system should be designed to provide a demand of 750 gpm at65 psi at the top of the each standpipe riser (500 gpm for the first riser and 250gpm for the second). This system should be installed as part of the first phaseof the overall fire protection system.


31 Jan 2015

Standard: Does the building have a standpipe system installed where required. AllianceStandard Part 5 Section 5.4.2

Question: Is the fire alarm and detection system monitored by a central stationmonitoring service or directly connected to the Fire Service and Civil Defense?



Description: There is a manual fire alarm system in the main building.

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: Only manual fire alarm system.


Install a new automatic fire alarm and detection system. Once installed,arrange for direct connection of the fire alarm and detection system to acentral station monitoring service or the Fire Service and Civil Defense as perAlliance Standard Part 5 Section 5.7.5 Monitoring. Until that time that a centralstation monitoring service or direct connection to the Fire Service and CivilDefense can be set up, a person trained to contact the Fire Service and CivilDefense in the event of fire alarm activation shall be provided. An annunciatorshall be located in a constantly attended location (such as a fire control room)to alert this person.


31 Oct 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 5 Section 5.7.5 Monitoring

Means of Egress

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Question: Occupant loads on each level (floor) do not exceed the capacity of theavailable means of egress.



Description: The stair widths are inconsistent from the top to the bottom. The East stair hasa reduction in width for the bottom stair run. There is also a restriction in widthfrom the gate installed inside the stair enclosure. The total stair width is 93 in.(2374

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) East Stair internal gate (2) East Stair bottom reduced run


Limit the number of occupants on the 10th Floor canteen to 296 until automaticsprinkler protection is provided throughout the building. Limit the number ofoccupants on the sewing floors to 296 until automatic sprinkler protection isprovided throughout the building.


31 Aug 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.4 Occupant Load

Question: Doors are not locked in the direction of egress under any conditions. All hasps,locks, slide bolts, and other locking devices have been removed whererequired.



Description: All collapsible gates are provided with hasps and locks. These gates arelocked in the open position during working hours.

Source of Findings: Photograph: Gate with lock


Remove all locking devices from all egress doors and means of egresscomponents.


31 Aug 2014

Standard: Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.8 Doors and Gates

Question: All doors in a means of egress are of the side-hinged swinging type.



Description: All openings into the stair enclosures are either collapsible sliding gates orsliding gates.

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: All openings provided with sliding gates

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013




Replace all non-compliant doors in the means of egress with side-hingedswinging type doors.


31 Aug 2014

Standard: Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.8 Doors and Gates

Question: The path of egress along the means of egress is not reduced at any pointalong the path of travel and is sufficient for the occupant load.



Description: There is a reduction in exit width in the East Stair’s discharge path; however,this reduction does not impede on the calculated width of the occupantsdischarging from this stair. This restriction is caused by the concrete structuressupporting the exter

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) East Stair discharge path reduction (2) East Stair dischargepath


Revise the egress discharge path on the north side of the building so thatoccupants do not trip over the laundry equipment piping and platforms.


31 Oct 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.5 Egress Width and BNBC Table 4.3.2

Question: Exit discharge is directly to the exterior of the building, unless the requirementsof 6.17.2 are met, at grade or provides direct access to grade. Exit dischargeshall not reenter a building.



Description: The West stair discharges to a lobby on the Ground Floor and discharges pastthe elevator and the entrance to the laundry facility. The East stair dischargesto the north side of the building and requires travel along the north side of thebuilding betwee

Source of Findings: Photograph: West Stair exit discharge


Provide a fire-rated door to separate the exit discharge of West Stair from theGround Floor laundry facility.


31 Oct 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.17 Exit Discharge. See Section 16.7.2 and16.7.3 for exceptions.

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Question: Stairwells are not utilized as storage spaces.



Description: Excess storage was found in both stairwells and under the West stair at thebottom.

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) Storage in East Stair (2) Storage in West Stair


Remove all storage from the stairwells.


31 Jul 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 13 Section 13.9 Safety Inspections

Question: Aisles are provided with the minimum unobstructed clear width of 0.9 m (36 in)based on occupant loads.


Non-Compliance Level:

Description:

Source of Findings:



Standard: Higher occupancy loads will require a greater width to accommodate theincreased load. Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.5 Egress Width

Question: Occupant loads are posted for every assembly and production floor in aconspicuous space near the main point of egress.



Description: No occupant load information is posted.

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: No signage observed


Post the occupant load for all assembly and production floor areas in aconspicuous space near the main exit or exit access doorway for the space.


31 Aug 2014

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Standard: Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.4.4 Posting of Occupant Load

Question: All paths of egress are provided with compliant means of illumination.



Description: Emergency lighting is provided throughout building but light fixtures are notprovided over every aisle. Emergency lighting is connected to a battery backuppower supply (IPS).

Source of Findings: Photograph: Emergency light fixture


Provide additional emergency lighting fixtures to provide a minimum lightinglevel of 2.5 lux for all aisles in production and storage areas.


31 Oct 2014

Standard: Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.7 Egress Illumination and Part 10 Section10.12 Illumination of Exit Signs and Means Of Escape

Question: Changes in elevation of walking surfaces do not exceed 6.35 mm (1/4 in)unless provided with a beveled slope of 1 in 2 that does not exceed 12.7 mm(1/2 in).



Description: The East stair has a sloped ramp at the top step of the stairs on the 5th Floor.The main entrance/exit has a sharp sloped ramp.

Source of Findings: Photograph: (1) Excessive slope in West Stair step (2) Steep ramp at Main(West) entrance


Revise the top step on the 5th Floor East Stair landing to remove the slope.Extend the ramp at the Main (West) entrance so that the ramp does notexceed a 1 in 12 slope.


30 Sep 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.3.4 Walking Surfaces

Question: Stair treads are of nominal uniformity.



Description: The East stair has a gate structure located at the 1st Floor landing leading tothe Ground floor. In addition to the gate there is a larger step at the top step.

Source of Findings: Photograph: Excessive step/gate East Stair

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013




Revise the top step on the 1st Floor East Stair landing to match the step heightof the adjacent steps in that run of stairs.


30 Sep 2014

Standard: Alliance Standards Part 6 Section 6.9 Stairs. Any tread height exceeding morethan 50% of the adjacent tread heights or 75 mm (3 in.), whichever is less,shall be modified to be within this tolerance

Question: Handrails are provided on both sides of each stairway. Intermediate handrailsare provided when the stair width exceeds 2.2 m (87 in.). Handrails are notmounted lower than 760 mm (30 in.) or higher than 1100 mm (44 in.).



Description: Handrails are only provided down the center of the stair (inside) only.

Source of Findings: Photograph: West Stair with single handrail


Provide handrails on both sides of all exit stairs.


31 Aug 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.9 Stairs and 6.12 Handrails and Guards

Question: Emergency power for means of egress illumination is verified at least once peryear. If battery operated lights are used, these lights are tested on a monthlybasis. Functional testing of battery powered lights is provided for a minimum90 min once per year.



Description:

Source of Findings:



Standard: Alliance Standards Part 10 Section 10.12 Illumination of Exit Signs and MeansOf Escape Lighting

Question: Illuminated exit signs are placed at entrances to exits and along the path ofegress anywhere the continuation of egress is not obvious or there is a changein the direction of the path of travel.

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013





Description:

Source of Findings:



Standard: Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.11 Exit Signs

Question: Emergency power for exit signs is tested at least once per year. If batteryoperated, these lights are tested on a monthly basis. Functional testing ofbattery powered signs is provided for a minimum 90 min once per year.



Description:

Source of Findings:



Standard: Alliance Standard Part 10 Section 10.12 Illumination of Exit Signs and MeansOf Escape.

Question: Stair designation signs are provided at each floor entrance from the stair to thefloor in English and Bengali. Signs indicate the name of the stair and the floorlevel. Signs are posted adjacent to the door.

Priority Level: Low


Description: Stair designation signs are not provided.

Source of Findings: Visual Assessment: No signs provided.


Install signage adjacent to each stair door indicating the stair name and thefloor level in both English and Bengali.


30 Sep 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 6 Section 6.9 Stairs

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Fire Safety Programs

Question: Storage areas underneath the cutting tables are clear of combustibles.



Description: Storage of cut material is kept underneath the cutting tables.

Source of Findings: Photograph: Cutting tables with storage


Remove all storage from beneath the cutting tables.


30 Nov 2014

Standard: Alliance Standard Part 17 Section 13.7.2 Cutting tables.

Question: Are there additional areas of non-compliance to report?



Description: Day care is located on the second floor and is not directly connected to the exitstair. It is also not separated from the storage area on the second floor.

Source of Findings: Photograph: Entrance to day care on 2nd Floor


Either relocate Day Care to Ground Floor or relocate to First Floor and providea fire rated passageway from the Day Care to the stair so that the day careoccupants have direct access to a stair enclosure.


30 Nov 2014

Standard: Not Applicable

Question: A hot-work permit program has been established.

Priority Level: Low


Description: No hot work program has been established.

Source of Findings: Document Review: No hot work program in place.


Develop a hot work permit program. The program must comply with therequirements of NFPA 51B.


30 Sep 2014

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



Standard: Alliance Standards Part 13 Section 13.4 Hot Work Permit and NFPA 51B

FactoryName:

Armana Apparels Ltd


Assessor: CCRD

Date: 24 Apr 2013



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