Thiruvananthapuram: With facilities in the hospital stretched too thin because the current covid pandemic situation, the vulnerability of the hospital to fire the outbreak also increased.
To overcome this, firefighters have launched a fire audit in all hospitals in the district.
According to the fire department authorities, almost half of the hospitals they examined in the district did not have the right fire extinguisher system.
The first round of the audit was carried out two months ago in almost 70 hospitals found that almost 30 did not have a well-functioning fire extinguisher system.
As the next round of this audit, the department will soon launch a review inspection to check whether they have made the changes needed by updating their equipment.
Speaking to Toi, the Director of Fire Extinguisher (Technical) M Noushad said that in the current state, more volume of material was being used in hospitals now.
Almost everyone brings alcohol-based hand cleaners with them and hospitals save medical oxygen excessively to fulfill any excendation.
Steam alcohol and oxygen-rich environment are very susceptible to fire outbreaks.
He added that such inspections were carried out in hospitals in other districts as well.
So far a total of 400 hospitals are covered almost half of them identified less in safety steps.
The audit report is also forwarded to the local agency office concerned to ensure that hospital management meets instructions, he said.
In addition, other factors such as increasing electrical loads on life-efficient electrical equipment, bed compartment with flammable curtains and sanitary beds and equipment that can contribute to rapid fire deployment if there is an outbreak.
Firefighting officials have also suggested hospital management to ensure all emergency exits left from any block.
This is because officers who visit the hospital can see stairs and corridors used to store various ingredients.
“In many hospitals, we can even see a lack of adequate ventilation,” said an officer attached to one of the fire stations in this district.
Fire Dept launched a safety audit at the District Hospital
