We witnessed a substantial change across the world in the wake of the pandemic. The term “safety” now had an additional layer to its meaning. This stock phrase and the effects of the pandemic have made individuals more aware and cautious about their well-being. Along the same lines, the niche sector of fire safety has been put on the back burner for quite a few decades. Fire mishaps in our country have accounted for lives and assets worth billions of rupees in the past years. Even with the existence of fire and well-being standards, audits and regulations, the gravity of how life-altering situations are caused by these mishaps, is still taken for granted.

According to a Research And Markets report on India fire safety equipment market outlook 2026, the market in India is expected to develop at a CAGR of over 14 per cent in value terms in the forecast period. However, the penetration of fire safety equipment in the industrial sector is low as compared to other sectors in India. A collaborative effort from the industry, government and the fire services department of the country can create a ripple effect; thus, safeguarding the lives of individuals from one of India’s most frequently occurring disasters.

Role of manufacturers in India’s fire safety industry
In India, the market for the manufacturing of fire equipment is cluttered and mainly dominated by players in the regional pockets of the country that have significance in some industries pan-India. However, even with the market being fragmented, some companies have regulated their products to fit Indian as well as global standardisations and certifications which enable them to supply to commercial sectors as well, as it ensures that all safety & compliance norms are met. Such companies hold high responsibility for the product that is being manufactured at their facilities and is produced with top-quality materials at state-of-the-art facilities and is tested with top-notch technology since there are human lives involved. It is only in the past decade or so, there have been systems in place which have led to international players stepping foot into the Indian market with standardised products that are at par with global certifications and norms.

In such a time-sensitive situation-based industry where several lives are at stake, the gaps which are brought due to inefficient production and cost cuts can pay a heavy price for the sake of saving a few crores. The authorities on the matter would agree, the fire security frameworks market size worldwide was esteemed at $96,500 million in 2019 and is now projected to reach $131,274.5 million by 2027, enlisting a CAGR of 5.2 percent from 2020 to 2027. In this case, it is critical to realise that a fire security framework needs to be put in place and it should be created by the norms determined by the specialists and administrative bodies to control fire episodes of all types.

Collaboration with the community of firefighters
Along with the manufacturing of world-class products, companies that are a part of the Fire safety industry must also extend their knowledge and research to the community of firefighters to equip them with the newest technology and awareness about the optimum use of the product while serving the purpose of dealing with such fires.

Over the past few years, training facilities across industries have collaborated with companies with relevance to combine industry knowledge right from the source of information. Companies that are functioning within the industry have core knowledge and are abreast of the constant developments in terms of technology, manufacturing, industry norms and government regulations. This information is extremely beneficial when firefighters are taught to work with a certain product during delicate situations.

Localization of materials to amplify the “Make in India” initiative
The Coronavirus lockdown had additionally adversely impacted the market. Furthermore, a few manufacturers as part of the industry rely upon imports for their raw materials. Government limitations on development and transport had stopped all import activities across the globe, subsequently seeing hardships with their inventory network. The pandemic was a great example of how localisation should be inculcated as part of every industry to safeguard supply chains. With crucial products such as firefighting equipment, the need to ensure the availability of the product, its servicing and spare parts of the product is extremely important, and it needs to be made available locally.

With the industry being at a very nascent stage as compared to our global counterparts, it is important to set a standard and ensure standardisations for products that are manufactured in the firefighting industry. Not only will this ensure that the market is structured, but it will also help the government to create more strict norms and mandatory safety checks for firefighting products that are as important as war machinery during a battle.

About the author:
Rohit Mali is the Director of Firefly Firepumps - the largest manufacturer, supplier and exporter of vehicle-mounted firefighting pumps in India.