Wednesday, 29 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In view of the increasing cases of fires in the State the Health department has issued a comprehensive fire safety advisory to all the government and private hospitals of the State. The Health secretary R Rajesh Kumar said that the SOP emphasises the collective responsibility of hospital management, staff and regulatory bodies.
“It is essential that we take proactive steps to prevent such devastating incidents,’’ he said. The advisory highlights the importance of adhering to the ‘guidelines for fire safety in health facilities’ issued by the ministry of health and family welfare, New Delhi. The guideline asks hospitals to strictly follow the instructions, obtain valid fire no objection certificate (NOC) from the state fire department and conduct regular fire safety audits and on-site inspections. As per the advisory, the hospitals should install fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and fire alarms at every required location. There should be regular inspection, especially in neonatal and intensive care units. Automatic sprinkler systems and other fire suppression systems in critical areas should be installed. Clearly marked emergency exits are mandatory and the hospitals should establish the necessary working relationships with local fire departments and emergency services.
The placement and storage of oxygen cylinders or piped oxygen should be proper. The hospitals should strictly adhere to building safety codes, including fire protection, electrical wiring, and emergency infrastructure. There should be electrical audits and regular fire inspections in the hospitals and training on fire safety of the employees.
