10.1 Introduction

The need of participation from erstwhile Defence Institute of Fire Research (DIFR) in the Antarctic Expeditions as a part of logistic support arose due to the problem faced by past expeditions relating to fire safety for their men and property was, due to hostile weather conditions being coldest, windiest and driest in the world. The visit by a Fire Engineer from the lab was necessitated due to the tragedy in which four members of ninth Expedition lost their lives during the expedition. Of course, not due to fire accident but because of toxic combustion products from generators.

The assigned job was to study the adequacy, possible improvement and efficient support of fire safe conditions for men and property at Antarctic Station.

10.1.1 Scientific Importance

Since Antarctica has the toughest climatic conditions, it was considered prudent to carry out some trials on the various fire protection and extinguishing agents/materials.

10.1.2 Various Research Projects

  1. 1.

    Fire Protection—Indian Station at Antarctica—Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri accommodation.

  2. 2.

    Review of Fire Safety Preparedness and modifications.

The Significant achievements are being outlined below:

  1. (i)

    The Dakshin Gangotri Hangar was declared unsafe and their subsequent expedition after tenth Expedition it was no more being used for accommodation

  2. (ii)

    The complete Maitri Station housing 26 people were treated with fire.

  3. (iii)

    The Fire Standing Orders and the Fire Drills framed because of member of tenth Expedition has become standard guidelines in all the subsequent expedition to Antarctica.

It has become a mandatory requirement for all participants to have a 2-day Crash Fire Safety Course before departure wherein they are made aware of safety requirements and the hands-on training on various firefighting equipment available at Antarctica Station.

10.2 Conclusions

The following research/trials were conducted by this Institute during the participation in two expeditions (10th and 16th expeditions)

  1. I.

    Installation of Linear Thermal Detection Cable (LTDC) in the boiler room with fire control panel.

  2. II.

    Monitoring of toxic/flammable gases in genset accommodation. Garbage incinerators and vehicle exhaust.

  3. III.

    Evaluation of CO2 conductivity test, which is used as a fire-extinguishing gas.

  4. IV.

    Test/evaluations on the effectiveness of fire-retardant paints when applied in the interior and exterior Antarctic conditions.

  5. V.

    Conduction of fire drills on regular basis to observe the firefighting preparedness of the members.

  6. VI.

    Detailed study on the fire risk analysis of Maitri Station and Summer Huts.

  7. VII.

    Retrieval of halon-type fire extinguishers and their replacement with eco-friendly extinguishers.

  8. VIII.

    Setting the futuristic milestones such as covering the entire station with linear thermal detection cable, feasibility of installing halon alternative extinguishing agents at vulnerable places, installing fire check doors to segregate the main block, placing 10-min duration escape BA set in all the living modules in the Antarctic Station building, etc.

  9. IX.

    Behaviour of different types of extinguishing agents under Antarctic conditions would be tried by our scientist.