Every time a fire tragedy strikes our hospitals, we are left reeling at the scale of the tragedy. Hospitals are full of flammable materials that go up like an inferno whenever a fire strikes taking the lives of hapless patients. Despite these tragic incidents, fire audits by various states have found that most of their hospitals are critically underprepared for fire safety.
Elementary measure like getting adequate units from a fire safety extinguisher suppliers are missing. Other common problems include:
Elementary measure like getting adequate units from a fire safety extinguisher suppliers are missing. Other common problems include:
- Absence of fire safety equipment.
- Poor maintenance of equipment leading to complete failure.
- Exits doors locked against intruders, which also hampers quick exit
- Roads outside blocked by vehicles
- No fire plan in place leading to confusion in case of a fire.
How do we ensure that such mistakes are not repeated? This requires some careful planning and thought at every step of the process and commitment to keep with the safety programs. Here are some urgent steps that must be taken:
Involve the professionals: Contact fire safety professionals from the very beginning of the planning process. Make sure that they are expert in NBC and NABH specifications. The construction of the premises must be done according to the National Building Code. The road width at the entrance and around the hospital has to be according to the minimum required width.
The code also lays down specification on fire safety equipments that are to be installed on the premises, including hydrant systems and the specific water capacity of overhead and under-ground tanks.
Also to be considered here are the NABH regulations. This are more detailed regulations that lay down specification such as manning and operation of control panels, PA systems, filling of fire tenders, installation of various safety equipment etc. You can get quality equipments from fire safety extinguisher suppliers.
Plan a detailed communication system: Given the vast premises of a hospital building, the communication system is critical to ensure that evacuation can take place in time. Fortunately, a hospital already has a communication system in place. All we require now is to link the PA system with the fire alarm system.
Develop an action plan: A proper action plan is essential in a place like a hospital where many of the inhabitants like patients, may not even know what is to be done at the time of the fire. The staff, including nurses, doctors, technicians, vendors and other staff must have a detailed knowledge on what is to be done in case of fire.
The plan should include detailed escape routes as well as a planned evacuation of patients. This is critical, given that a hospital has patients who cannot Move fast. Alternative modes of transporting such patients must be in hand.
Make a command team: In organisations like hospitals with their massive areas and large number of people, forming core teams for different tasks is critical to see that all measures are taken in a seamless manner.
There should be separate teams in charge of evacuation, PA system communication, communication with patients, triggering shutdowns, coordinating with emergency services and so on. The rules and procedures should be clearly stated and regular drills held to ensure that everyone knows their role. There should also be a team to oversee the fire fighting equipment. This team will see that all equipment is in working order, including liaising with fire safety extinguisher suppliers for update and repair.
Post-fire recovery: Assign teams to oversee post-fire procedures. Getting the work back to running and handling patients should be the priority. You can again form different teams. They can handle functions like communication with patients and family, connecting with suppliers and arranging for recovery of operations.
Make arrangements for alternative care: The objective of any hospital is the care of its pa-tients. When the operations are shut down due to fire, alternatives arrangements must be in place. This must be planned in advance to ensure that the procedure can take place smoothly. Apart from arrangements on the premises, tie-ups with other healthcare facilities should be in place for critical patients.
Ask your fire safety extinguisher supplier or experts that you can hire. Steps to make our hospitals must be taken immediately to ensure that there are no more senseless tragedies.
Involve the professionals: Contact fire safety professionals from the very beginning of the planning process. Make sure that they are expert in NBC and NABH specifications. The construction of the premises must be done according to the National Building Code. The road width at the entrance and around the hospital has to be according to the minimum required width.
The code also lays down specification on fire safety equipments that are to be installed on the premises, including hydrant systems and the specific water capacity of overhead and under-ground tanks.
Also to be considered here are the NABH regulations. This are more detailed regulations that lay down specification such as manning and operation of control panels, PA systems, filling of fire tenders, installation of various safety equipment etc. You can get quality equipments from fire safety extinguisher suppliers.
Plan a detailed communication system: Given the vast premises of a hospital building, the communication system is critical to ensure that evacuation can take place in time. Fortunately, a hospital already has a communication system in place. All we require now is to link the PA system with the fire alarm system.
Develop an action plan: A proper action plan is essential in a place like a hospital where many of the inhabitants like patients, may not even know what is to be done at the time of the fire. The staff, including nurses, doctors, technicians, vendors and other staff must have a detailed knowledge on what is to be done in case of fire.
The plan should include detailed escape routes as well as a planned evacuation of patients. This is critical, given that a hospital has patients who cannot Move fast. Alternative modes of transporting such patients must be in hand.
Make a command team: In organisations like hospitals with their massive areas and large number of people, forming core teams for different tasks is critical to see that all measures are taken in a seamless manner.
There should be separate teams in charge of evacuation, PA system communication, communication with patients, triggering shutdowns, coordinating with emergency services and so on. The rules and procedures should be clearly stated and regular drills held to ensure that everyone knows their role. There should also be a team to oversee the fire fighting equipment. This team will see that all equipment is in working order, including liaising with fire safety extinguisher suppliers for update and repair.
Post-fire recovery: Assign teams to oversee post-fire procedures. Getting the work back to running and handling patients should be the priority. You can again form different teams. They can handle functions like communication with patients and family, connecting with suppliers and arranging for recovery of operations.
Make arrangements for alternative care: The objective of any hospital is the care of its pa-tients. When the operations are shut down due to fire, alternatives arrangements must be in place. This must be planned in advance to ensure that the procedure can take place smoothly. Apart from arrangements on the premises, tie-ups with other healthcare facilities should be in place for critical patients.
Ask your fire safety extinguisher supplier or experts that you can hire. Steps to make our hospitals must be taken immediately to ensure that there are no more senseless tragedies.