The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) on March 23, 2024, issued a Joint-Advisory to States on measures to prevent Hospital Fires during the Summer months.
The following instructions need to be carried out to prevent occurrences of fire incidents in hospitals and other healthcare facilities:
• Functional Fire-Fighting Systems:
The Hospitals must regularly inspect fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers, hydrants, and alarms. This includes checking the expiry dates of extinguishers, ensuring hydrants are accessible and have adequate water pressure, and that fire alarms are operational and audible throughout the facility.
• Regular Electrical Load Audits:
They must conduct electrical audits bi-annually to evaluate the hospital's power consumption, particularly in high-demand areas like ICUs. Upgrades or modifications should be assessed by a certified electrician to ensure they meet safety standards without overloading the system as per the National Electrical Code of India-2023.
• Staff Training and Drills:
Implement a continuous training program for all staff on fire prevention, emergency procedures, and the use of fire-fighting equipment. Conduct bi-annual fire drills, including evacuation drills, to ensure staff, doctors, and patients know how to respond in an emergency.
For further details, kindly refer to the document attached.
[Press Release ID: 2016232]
