Written by Proactive measures in preventing Hospital Fires during
Summer Season
The Union Health Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have issued a joint advisory to all States/ UTs underscoring the paramount importance of proactive measures in preventing Hospital fires as temperatures escalate during Summer season.
State Health Departments and State Disaster Management Authorities have been directed to work in close collaboration to ensure that all accredited hospitals within their jurisdiction take immediate action on the following:
a. Thorough Inspections
b. Electrical Load Audits
c. Fire NOC Compliance
A detailed set of instructions outlining the steps and measures to be undertaken by hospitals to ensure fire safety compliance have also been provided to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, recommending them to disseminate the information among all accredited hospitals
Following are the instructions that need to be carried out to prevent occurrences of fire incidents in hospitals and other healthcare facilities
a. Regular inspection of Functional Fire-Fighting Systems
b. Regular Maintenance and Testing
c. Regular Electrical Load Audits
d. Oxygen Safety
e. Installation of Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms
f. Combustible Material Control
g. Non-Combustible MateriaI for Electrical Ducts
h. Avoid Overloading Power Sources
i. Installation of Water Sprinklers and Hosepipes
j. Strict Adherence to the National Building Code
k.Obtaining Fire Safety NOC
l. Staff Training and Drills
m.Evacuation Plans
States/UTs have also been urged to conduct follow up reviews to ensure the implementation of these critical safety measures.
Source:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2016232