Crucial Fire Protections in Cigarette Industry

Fire risks in the tobacco storage/processing area

The tobacco storage/processing represents a significant risk because tobacco leaves and treatment
chemicals can be easily ignited. When tobacco is stored and exposed to excessive heat, spontaneous
combustion can occur. This is sometimes a result of a chemical reaction, but decomposition can also
create this reaction.

1. General Causes of fire:

a. Sparks where combustible tobacco leaves are stored. (Sparks- Welding arcs, starters for
fluorescent lighting, electric motors, electrical equipment like power points, cigarette
lighters, switches and telephones; Static electricity including from friction sources; Lightning;
Friction from drilling, grinding, scraping of metal on concrete)
b. Unauthorised fire lighting e.g. smoking.
c. Hot working e.g. welding, cutting, while combustible materials are not removed from the
immediate vicinity.
d. Arson/ sabotage.
e. Inadequate insulation/protection and/or overloading to electrical wiring.

2. Fumigation risks:
Tobacco is routinely fumigated during production to kill insects and other pests. Preservatives may
also be applied to prevent the leaves from decomposition. Microbial pesticide is applied to restrain
microbes from becoming active. Some pesticides are flammable, and others are highly corrosive.
Improper handling of such pesticide can cause an exothermic reaction, resulting in spontaneous
combustion.

 Best protection recommended for this types of risks are VESDA Systems or High Sensitivity
Aspirating Smoke Detectors should be installed in this types of storages/ processing areas.

Causes of fire in cigarette manufacturing equipments:

1. Mechanical problems in the cigarette making machine can cause the generation of dangerous
ignition sources.
2. Fire in tobacco dryers: Burning tobacco can give rise to an exothermic reaction, i.e. producing its
own heat and glows which could act as an ignition source.
3. Fire in tobacco Cutting machine: Over-feeding of the mill and shredder can result in the creation
of dangerous ignition sources. Also, contaminates can cause mechanical problems that create
dangerous sparks.
4. Chances of fires and dust explosions in Filtration equipments and Silos of cigarette manufacturing
plant. As shown below-
Minimum Ignition Temperatures

CLOUD LAYER

COCOA 580°C 460°C

PAPER 580°C 360°C

 COTTON 560°C 350°C

CHARCOAL 520°C 270°C

CELLULOSE 500°C 380°C

WOOD 480°C 260°C

TOBACCO 470°C 280°C

PEAT 470°C 320°C

COFFEE 460°C 450°C

 Prevention- Installation of Infra Red-radiation detection system (which not only detects sparks,
but also hot bodies with temperatures as low as 130° C) interlocked with effective water sprays
extinguishing, alarm system and water mist suppression to protect cigarette’s making
machineries.
5. Majority of silos are not pressure rated vessels they can rupture at pressures as low as 1 or 2
psi. Without adequate safety systems in place sites risk fatal injury to staff, damage to
equipment, product loss and environmental pollution – not to mention hefty Health & Safety
fines. Therefore silo protection is essential for avoiding the risks of over-pressurisation and
overfilling.

Note: Other fire protections or detection systems are same as per industry practices.