Do’s & Don’ts of Hospital Fire Safety
Do's for Hospital Fire Safety
Acquaint yourself with the layout of the escape routes, staircases, refuge areas and the location of fire alarms
Train yourself and the security personnel in the proper operation and use of the first-aid hose reel provided at each floor level and fire extinguishers. Also train them in switching on the fire pump, at the ground/basement level and also the booster pump at the terrace level, and the method of summoning the Fire Brigade Department in the event of a fire
Keep always closed the fire doors of staircases, the main entrance of the premises
All the fire protection installations such as fire pumps, wet riser-cum-down comer, sprinkler installation, fire extinguishers etc should be kept in a good state. Timely use of these will help in controlling/extinguishing the fires in the early stages, thereby minimizing life losses and property losses
Always maintain good housekeeping
Ground all the lifts, including FIRE LIFT, in case of a fire
Practice evacuation drills periodically
Irrespective of the magnitude of the fire, summon the Fire Brigade at the earliest
Seek the advice and guidance of the Fire Brigade Department in the matter of fire safety
In case of fire, guide the Fire Brigade Department personnel about the location and extent of the fire, information about trapped persons, if any, and provide any other information they may request. Help them to help you
Switch off appliances after use and remove plugs from the socket and replace broken plugs and switches immediately
Switch off the main switch when leaving the premises
Use good quality fuses of correct rating miniature circuit breakers and earth leakage circuit breakers
Organize regular evacuation drills on the premises
Prominent exits should be marked
Trained occupants/staff
Do plan your escape routes in case of fire or any other emergency.
Dont's for Hospital Fire Safety
Do not allow encroachments or storage in the courtyards of the building. Open courtyards are required for placing and operating the fire and rescue appliances in case of emergency
Do not allow storage or obstructions in the common corridors and staircases. These exit routes, if maintained clear, will help easy escape in case of fire
Do not allow the Fire doors of the staircases to be kept open. In case of fire, heat and smoke enters the staircases and prevent the escape of people. • In case of fire, do not use LIFTS for escape. They may fail midway trapping people inside. Use only staircases
Do not allow Electric Meter Rooms to be used as storage, dumping places or living quarters for servants. They are potential fire hazards
Do not use the basement for any purpose other than permitted purpose. Because ill-ventilation, habitation or working in the basement will make a death trap for people
Continuous electrical ducts throughout the height of the building enable the fire to spread from one floor to another. Seal them at each floor slab level
Do not allow Air-Condition ducting to pass from one floor to another, because fire, heat and smoke travel through these ducts and spread to the other part of the building. Sectionalize them, as far as practical even on a particular floor, to limit the spread of fire, heat and smoke, and minimize the damages
Never paint or coat fire detectors or sprinkler heads. If done, they will become ineffective
Do not re-enter the fire-affected building to collect the valuables or for any other purpose. It may cost your life
Do not decorate walls and ceilings of common corridors with combustible material such as wooden panelling etc. They create unwarranted fire risk in the escape route in case of fire
Do not allow Fire fighting tanks to be misused or remain empty. Do not block access to the tank. You/Fire Service may need them for use at any moment. • Avoid damage to the wet riser system. It has been provided for your use to extinguish/check the spread of fire before the arrival of the Fire Brigade. Its good maintenance ensures your safety
Do not ‘switch off’ Fire/Smoke Detection System. This may lead to fire remaining unnoticed till it assumed a large magnitude
Do not ‘switch off’ the electricity of the entire building in the event of a fire. This will cause a stoppage of all the fire protection and fire fighting system installed in the building
Do not carry out additions and alterations in the building. Consult Fire Brigade before undertaking such works. • Don’t operate electric switches during gas leakage
Don’t use water during an electric fire, use appropriate extinguishers
Don’t lay wires under carpets, they may get crushed resulting in short-circuiting.
