Bhubaneswar: On the directions of Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, joint task force committees comprising the Health Department, Home Department and Electrical Inspectors have been constituted both for Municipal Corporations and Districts to conduct periodic fire and electrical safety audits of all the hospitals and nursing homes within their jurisdiction.
A task force has been constituted for the Municipal Corporation, consisting of the Municipal Commissioner as Chairman, Police SP/DSP, Directors of Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar/RGH, Rourkela/CDM and PHO, Fire Officer, Additional Chief Engineer-cum-Electrical Inspector/Superintendent Engineer-cum-Deputy Electrical Inspector as Members.
A task force has been constituted for the districts, comprising the Collector and District Magistrates as Chairman, Superintendent of Security, CDM&PHO, Assistant Fire Officer, and Superintendent Engineer-cum-Deputy Electrical Inspector as Members.
“The Health Department official will provide a list of all hospitals and nursing homes within her/his jurisdiction. A joint team of the Police, Fire Officer and Electrical Inspector will conduct an audit of the establishments regarding their fire and electrical safety as per the list supplied and maintain a record of the same,” a Notification from the H&FW Department read.
District Collectors asked to check fire & electrical safety measures in all govt health institutions
In a letter to Collectors of all districts, State Health Dept Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Shalini Pandit has asked to ensure fire and electrical safety measures in all Government Health Institutions.
Reiterating that fire safety in all health institutions is a critical activity requiring convergent action by different departments, the Health Secretary suggested specific actions to prevent any fire incident in Government health institutions including Medical Colleges & Hospitals, District Hqr. Hospitals, SDHs, CHCs, UCHCs, PHCs & UPHCs etc.
The following are the actions suggested by the Health Dept:-
- Functional Fire-Fighting Systems: 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 maintenance and Testing: Establish a maintenance schedule for all fire safety equipment. This should include monthly checks of Fire Extinguishers, quarterly tests of fire alarms and hydrants, and annual professional inspections to certify their effectiveness in accordance with relevant Indian Standards.
- Installation of Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms: Ensure fire smoke detectors and fire alarms are installed in all hospital areas, particularly in patient rooms, hallways, and common areas. Test these systems monthly as stipulated: in IS 2189 and replace batteries annually or as needed.
- Installation of Water Sprinklers and Hosepipes: Fit critical areas, including ICUs and operation theatres, with automatic sprinkler systems and accessible hosepipes: These systems should be linked in sync with the fire alarm system to be activated in the event of a fire.
- Regular Electrical Load Audit: Conduct electrical audits 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.
- Regular Inspection of electrical installation & wiring system: The electrical installations and wiring system in all the health institutions should be inspected by a team of experts comprising of the Fire Safety Officer, Engineers from GED and the P.W.D. and Electrical Inspector. They should conduct a detailed survey of the current status of the electrical wiring and fittings such as fans, lights, bulbs etc. Any other potential sources of fire should also be identified.
- Action of the Department: Based on the report, immediate corrective measures must be taken by the department concerned. A certificate of Fire Safety Officer should be obtained in this regard.
- Subsequent inspection: Subsequent inspections should be conducted by the team every year and remedial measures taken.
- Avoid Overloading Power Sources: Use power management systems to monitor electrical loads and prevent overloading. Ensure that multiple high-power devices are not connected to a single circuit. Regularly review power distribution to accommodate new equipment safely.
- Non-Combustible Material for Electrical Ducts: Inspect electrical ducts to ensure they are sealed with materials like intumescent fire stop sealants that prevent the spread of fire and smoke through openings.
- Oxygen Safety: In areas with oxygen tanks or piped oxygen, implement strict no-smoking policies and controls on heat sources. Signage should clearly mark these areas and staff should be trained on the risks associated with a high-oxygen environment.
- Combustible Material Control: Audit materials used in hospital construction and furnishing to identify and replace combustible materials with non-combustible or fire-resistant alternatives, especially in patient care areas.
- Strict Adherence to the National Building Code: Regularly review and update hospital infrastructure to comply with the latest fire safety standards outlined in the National Building Code 2016. This includes ensuring proper ventilation systems, fire-resistant doors, and emergency lighting in corridors and stairwells.
- Obtaining Fire Safety NoC: Annually renew the: Fire: Safety No-Objection Certificate as per State Fire Safety Rules from the local fire department. This includes submitting up-to-date fire safety plans and records of equipment maintenance and staff training.
- Preparation of detailed Action Plan/SoP: Detailed Action Plan/SoPs should be prepared for dealing with all natural calamities including fire accidents.
- Procurement of fire safety equipment: Wherever fire safety equipment is not available, immediate steps must be taken to procure and install the same in consultation with the Fire Safety Officer. An adequate number of staff in each institution must be given training on handling the equipment and personnel should be designated to ensure the maintenance of the equipment in each institution.
- 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.
- Evacuation Plans: Develop comprehensive evacuation plans that include clear, well-marked escape routes, emergency exits free of obstructions, and designated safe assembly areas. Plans should be displayed prominently throughout the hospital and in staff training programs. Each hospital has to formulate an SoP to be followed in case of a fire incident.
- Ensuring Fire Safety in new buildings: A number of new health buildings are under construction in your district. Please ensure that the fire safety certificates are obtained as well as inspections by the Electrical Inspector are done before shifting the patient there. Especially for more than two-storey buildings such as MCH wings and critical areas such as SNCUs, OTs, labour rooms etc., fire sprinkler systems, safety in lifts and high-quality electrical wiring must be ensured.
“Kindly adhere to the timelines and take urgent necessary action. Please also review it once by 1st week of August 2024 and then again by 1st week of September 2024 to ensure that all measures have been taken for fire safety in health institutions,” the letter reads.
