Priya Ajbani, Founder, Firescue, shares how practical design, strategic placement, and inclusive training are making fire safety in cement plants more effective and human-centric.
In the high-risk world of cement manufacturing, fire safety demands more than equipment—it requires accessibility, usability, and a culture of preparedness. In this interview, Priya Ajbani, Founder, Firescue, discusses adapting solutions for challenging plant environments and making safety second nature for workers.
What role does user-centric design play in developing safety products?
User-centric design plays a huge role, but it’s not just about how the product looks. it’s also about how intuitively it works during a crisis. In high-pressure situations, equipment must be visible, accessible, and easy to use. We always recommend strategic placement—because even the best product fails if it can’t be found quickly. We also ensure that our extinguishers and hose reels carry simple, pictorial instructions that are easy to understand, even for workers with minimal training or language barriers. Visibility, usability, and clarity, that’s what user-centric design in safety products really means to us.
How do you balance compliance with innovation in fire safety systems?
Compliance is non-negotiable. especially in industrial spaces. All our products adhere to BIS, UL, or LPCB standards depending on the requirement. But we don’t stop at that. We’ve introduced innovative touches like QR scan codes on products that link directly to training videos or instructions, making it easy for users to refresh knowledge on the go. We’re also incorporating this into our website to make safety knowledge more accessible. So yes, we follow the rulebook, but we also look ahead at how tech can make fire safety more effective and user-friendly.
What’s one overlooked safety risk in cement units that deserves more attention?
One thing we’ve noticed is that many cement units underestimate how fast electrical panels or junction boxes can become fire hazards especially when surrounded by dust or neglected wires. We’ve had cases where high-quality extinguishers were available, but none were placed near these hot spots. So it’s not just about what you install—but where you install it. That’s something that still needs more attention in many facilities.
How can the cement industry take a more human-centric approach?
By making safety part of the day-to-day routine and not just a checklist for audits. This means placing equipment where it’s naturally visible, making sure it’s working, and encouraging teams to actually engage with it. Even small efforts like acknowledging “zero-incident” months or involving line staff in safety talks help build that culture. When people feel ownership of safety not fear or pressure – it becomes second nature.