New Delhi: As the temperature rises during the summer season, fire in hospitals becomes a major accident. To prevent this, the Union Health Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority have issued a joint guideline to all states/UTs. The guidelines emphasize to take proactive steps to prevent such destructive incidents. The State Health Department and the State Disaster Management Authority have been directed to work in close coordination to ensure that all accredited hospitals under their jurisdiction take immediate steps in that direction.
Full inspection, electricity load audit, monitoring of fire NOC compliance is ordered. A detailed directive has been issued to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories outlining the steps to be taken by hospitals to ensure fire safety, recommending dissemination of information among all recognized hospitals.
To prevent the occurrence of fire in hospitals and other health facilities, effective fire fighting systems, regular maintenance and testing, regular electrical load audits, oxygen safety, installation of smoke detectors and fire alarms, control of combustible materials, non-combustible materials for electrical conduits, avoid overloading power sources, States/UTs are requested to review next steps to ensure implementation of important safety measures like installation of water sprinklers and hose pipes, strict compliance of National Building Code, obtaining fire safety NOC, training and practice of personnel, evacuation plan.
