With summer temperatures rising, the Union Health Ministry and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) are calling for a multi-pronged approach to prevent hospital fires. A joint advisory highlights the critical importance of fire safety in healthcare facilities and outlines a roadmap for enhanced preparedness.
The cornerstone of this initiative lies in preventative actions. All accredited hospitals will undergo thorough fire safety audits to assess compliance with regulations. Trained inspectors will meticulously examine fire alarms, smoke detectors, extinguishers, hydrants, and fire lifts, ensuring they are present, functional, and strategically placed.
Furthermore, the spotlight shines on electrical safety. Hospitals must conduct regular electrical load audits, especially when adding new equipment or converting spaces into intensive care units (ICUs). Any discrepancies in capacity must be addressed promptly to prevent electrical malfunctions, a common cause of hospital fires. Obtaining and maintaining valid fire No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from state fire departments is mandatory for all hospitals. Older buildings, constructed before stringent fire safety norms were implemented, may require upgrades to meet current standards.
Beyond these initial measures, the advisory dives into specific actions hospitals can take to bolster their fire safety protocols. Regular inspections are paramount to ensure fire extinguishers, hydrants, and alarms are operational. This includes checking expiry dates of extinguishers, ensuring hydrants have adequate water pressure and are readily accessible, and verifying that fire alarms are functional and audible throughout the facility.
Establishing a comprehensive maintenance plan for all fire safety equipment is another crucial step. This involves monthly checks of fire extinguishers, quarterly tests of fire alarms and hydrants, and annual professional inspections to certify their effectiveness by relevant Indian Standards.
Bi-annual electrical audits are essential to assess the hospital’s power consumption, particularly in high-demand areas like ICUs where life-support equipment places a significant burden on the electrical grid. Certified electricians should be engaged to ensure upgrades comply with the National Electrical Code of India-2023 to avoid overloading the system and sparking electrical fires.
Hospitals with oxygen tanks or piped oxygen systems pose a unique fire risk. Strict no-smoking policies and stringent controls on heat sources in these areas are essential. Clear signage should highlight these restrictions, and staff must be comprehensively trained on the dangers associated with high-oxygen environments.
The advisory emphasizes the importance of early detection and suppression systems. All hospital areas, especially patient rooms, hallways, and common areas, must have functioning smoke detectors and fire alarms. Monthly testing as stipulated in IS2189 and annual battery replacements are mandatory to ensure these systems operate effectively in the event of a fire.
Hospitals will be reviewing materials used in construction and furnishings to identify and replace combustible materials with non-combustible or fire-resistant alternatives, particularly in patient care areas. This reduces the fire load within the facility, minimizing the potential for fires to spread and intensify. Furthermore, electrical ducts should be inspected to ensure they are sealed with materials like intumescent firestop sealants that prevent the spread of fire and smoke through openings.
Power management systems are essential to monitor electrical loads and prevent overloading circuits. Avoiding overloading circuits and regularly reviewing power distribution for new equipment is crucial. Critical areas like ICUs and operation theatres should be equipped with automatic sprinkler systems and accessible hosepipes. These systems should be linked to fire alarms for automatic activation in the event of a fire.
Hospitals must also ensure their infrastructure adheres to the latest fire safety standards outlined in the National Building Code 2016. Regular reviews and updates may be necessary to address deficiencies. This includes proper ventilation systems to remove smoke and heat buildup, fire-resistant doors to compartmentalize fires and slow their spread, and emergency lighting in corridors and stairwells to guide safe evacuation during a power outage.
Obtaining annual Fire Safety No-Objection Certificates from local fire departments is mandatory. Up-to-date fire safety plans and detailed records of equipment maintenance and staff training are required for renewal. These measures ensure hospitals remain compliant with fire safety regulations and demonstrate their commitment to patient and staff safety.
Ongoing fire prevention, emergency procedures, and fire-fighting equipment training programs for all staff are essential. Equipping staff with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in an emergency can significantly improve patient outcomes. Bi-annual fire drills, including evacuation drills, ensure staff, doctors, and patients know how to respond calmly and efficiently.
Clear, well-marked escape routes, unobstructed emergency exits, and designated safe assembly areas are crucial elements of comprehensive evacuation plans
