FIRE SAFETY IN

HOSPITAL

Presented by:- Guided by:-

Dr. Monisha Gupta Dr.
G.R.M.Patil
Dr. Nivedita Gazta
Dr. Prafull Vishe
INDEX

Introduction & planning for fire

preparedness

Fire Fighting & Equipments

Fire Plan & Fire Drill

 INTRODUCTION

What is Fire?
Fire is a chemical reaction of
combustible substances with oxygen
in presence of heat AT RIGHT RATIO,
which further produces heat , smoke,
flame & light.

Combustion :
is a process of oxidation or chemical
reaction in which heat & light is
produced.
CONDITIONS FOR FIRE :The Fire
Triangle
Combustible substance
Oxygen
Heat
4th condition is the CHAIN REACTION which is
necessary for any fire to burn
continuously .(Fire Tetrahedron)
Fire Triangle
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES
Depending on substance involved
Type A general substances cotton, wood,
paper
Type Binflammable liquids petrol, diesel
Type C inflammable gases L.P.G.,
medical O2
Type D inflammable metals magnesium,
sodium
Type Eelectrical fires
Type F cooking oil, fat etc.
 INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
Appropriate Fire safety system should be installed in
hospitals.
Means of egress/exit.
Fire resistant doors/fire check doors.
Fire lift
Fire exit
Fire separating wall.
Fire stop
Fire tower
Horizontal exit
Smoke and fire barriers.
Construction material should be heat resistant.
Pressurized exclusion of smoke in case of fire or any smoke
leak.
Lobbies, staircases, aisles, etc should be sufficiently wide
to ensure easy movement of traffic.
 ELECTRICAL AND ENGINEERING
PLANNING
Automatic fire detecting system.
Smoke and heat detection alarms.
Automatic sprinkler system.
Automatic switch off of electrical supply.
Electrical wiring enclosed in metal/ heavy gauge
screwed conduits.
The cable passing from one floor to the other should
be suggestively sealed off .
A master control switch for each floor should be
located at the ground floor for easy switching off of
systems in case of emergency.
In case of centralized systems that we generally use
in hospital infrastructures; care should be taken to
provide appropriate automatic fire dampers for each
floor in the common ducting system.
 Contd..
Proper cooling facilities to dissipate heat for
overheated equipments/plants/machinery.
Boilers, plant rooms, freezers, manholes and
similar confined spaces should have safe
access & exits.
All equipments should be bonded and earthed
properly to dissipate the static charges to the
earth.
Incorporate totally enclosed switchgear
systems/ miniature circuit breakers instead of
ordinary fuses.
Emergency power supply arrangements like
emergency lighting system and escape
lighting system need to be designed &
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
PLANNING
Substitution:
Flammable liquids may be substituted by:
o relatively safe materials(stable and nontoxic)
o nonflammable or materials having a high
flashpoint.
Storage
Cabinets
o Container
o Glass or approved plastic
o Metal
o Safety Cans
o Metal drums
o Approved portable tanks
Ventilation
o Mechanical exhaust ventilation system
o To prevent the accumulation of vapors
o Air movement directly to the exterior of the building
 Condt.
Elimination of Ignition Sources
All nonessential ignition sources must be eliminated
where flammable liquids are used or stored such as:
Open flames- such as cutting and welding torches,
furnaces, matches.
Chemical sources of ignition- such as d.c. motors,
switched, and circuit breakers.
Mechanical sparks-these sparks can be produced
as a result of friction.
Static sparks-these sparks can be generated as a
result of electron transfer between two contacting
surfaces.
Removal of Incompatibles
Oxidizers and organic peroxides, which, on
decomposition, can generate large amounts of
oxygen.
FIRE FIGHTING &
EQUIPMENTS
Dr. Prafull Vishe
 IMPORTANCE OF FIRE
SAFETY

Once feature of manufacturing industry this

system has been introduced in hospitals
marking changing nature of hospitals as
industry.
Need permission from Chief Fire Officer
Compared to other survival methods like
swimming, first aid
 PLANNING FOR FIRE FIGHTING

Principles of fire fighting

- Fire can be prevented by not allowing 3
conditions to complete the fire triangle.
- Controlling even one factor will ensure
the fire safety.
 FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM
Heat & smoke
detectors : sense fire &
give off alarm so that fire
can be controlled in
initial stage itself.
Control system should
be manned 24 hrs.
FIRE DETECTION
SYSTEM..contd.

Apart from these

detectors, break
glass units &
hooters are also
provided at strategic
areas.
 FIRE ALARMS
Smoke & fire detection devices are
installed in patient rooms & other high
risk areas in the heating & ventilating
ducts between floors.
On activation there will be an audible
sound throughout hospital campus.
If there is fire in room, indicator light
outside that patient room should get
activated.
 FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEMS

Extinguishers

Wet riser system

Sprinkler system
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM AT HOSPITAL
Basically it consists of static water supply source
within the building . Connected to this are first aid
hose reels & hydrant valve s with hoses at every
floor level & strategically placed.
If the building is high rise, there should be a wet
riser serving 1000 sq. meters of floor area to
which hose reels & hydrant valves are connected.
The required pressure in line should be provided
with suitable capacity pumps.
Unmanned areas require sprinklers.
Portable fire fighting extinguishers of the type &
capacity suitable for specific areas of application
should be provided in strategic location.
 Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are sturdy, metal cylinders filled with water

or a smothering material. When you depress a lever at the
top of the cylinder the material is expelled by high pressure
Type of extinguishing material
Water Class A
Pure Carbondioxide Class A
Dry chemical foam Class A,B
Dry chemical powder (D.C.P.)Class A,B,C
Monnex Dry Powder Class A,B,C
Wet chemical Class B
Location and Marking
Easily accessible,
Clearly visible
Properly marked with class of fire
Mounting and Distribution
installed on hangers, brackets, in cabinets, or on shelves.
gross weight not exceeding 40 pounds will be so installed that
the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3-1/2 feet above
the floor
extinguisher operating instructions face outward
distributed in such a way that the amount of time needed to
travel to their location and back to the fire does not allow the
fire to get out of control.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) :
Class A,D- 75 feet
Class B- 50 feet
Inspection and Maintenance
the CDC Office of Health and Safety to oversee the inspection,
maintenance, and testing of fire extinguishers
PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERES
Mode of Action
oWater based
oFoam type
oDCP
oCO2
Application of Extinguishers
WET RISER SYSTEM
Consists of
2 high pressure pumps
2 water tanks
Booster pumps
Water pipes, valves,
hydrants, hoses, nozzles
Electrical control panel
SPRINKLER SYSTEM LAYOUT
SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Heat bursts the
bulb at head,
water falls on the
deflector forming
spray
GAS BASED EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM
To be used for fire fighting in OT
Consists of inert gaseous mixture mainly
Nitrogen & Argon with special proprietary
additive
Acts by lowering the oxygen
concentration below 11.5% which is
required for sustainment of fire.
FIRE PLAN & FIRE DRILLS

Dr. Monisha Gupta

EMERGENCIES INVOLVING
FIRE
Fire Alarms
Evacuation Routes and Plans
Emergency Coordinators
EMERGENCY EGRESS
 EMERGENCY EGRESS
Fire escape routes are kept free of
clutter all the time
It should be provided with emergency
lighting system or radium glow strips
for easy identification of route in dark
For accessing the fire spot this route
is used in reverse direction.
At designated station there should be
a headcount to find out any missing
person.
 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
IF THE FIRE IS IN YOUR AREA
Remove the person from immediate danger
Activate fire alarm
Use the code Doctor Red or Code Red.
Dial telephone operator and give exact location
and extent of fire.
Seal off the affected area. Close all windows
and doors.
Use wet blanket to confine smoke.
Shut off all equipment , gas etc.
Fight the fire by using a proper extinguisher.
Follow your dept. specific fire plans and
procedures.
 CONTD
Take a head count off patients and staff.
Post staff at the elevator.
Establish contact with engineering
department and security.
Establish and maintain communication with
the control centre.
Relinquish control when fire dept. personnel
arrive at scene.
When the fire is completely put off than an
all clear message to the control centre.
 CONTD.
IF THE FIRE IS NOT IN YOUR AREA
Stop what you are doing.
Report to your dept. head or supervisor.
Continue your duties within your
department if instructed by supervisor.
Take the head count off patients and staff.
Check with the supervisor before shutting
off any equipment or gas.
Communicate with the patients and reassure
them.
Post staff at the elevator.
Maintain a stand by alert for any
eventuality.
 PREVENTIONS OF FIRE
Effective fire safety program for the hospital.
Written policies and procedure manual
covering all contingencies arising from fire.
Every department should have a
departmental fire plan and a fire procedure
manual outlining every employees role in
the plan.
There should be a Doctor Red alert team to
direct all fire fighting operations.
Learn at least two escape routes, and
emergency exits from your area.
Never use an elevator as part of your escape
route.
Learn to activate a fire alarm.
CONTD.
Learn to recognize alarm sounds.
Simulated fire drills should be
conducted periodically. These drills will
ensure that all personnel understand
there roles in the fire safety program.
Fire drills should be conducted in a
realistic manner and on periodic basis.
PRACTICE MAKES A MAN
PERFECT
FIRE DRILLS
PERIODIC FIRE DRILLS SHOULD BE
CONDUCTED
To ensure staff is fully trained.
Everyone is able to recognize the alarm
system & is familiar with layout & escape
routes to gather at designated point
Ensure fire fighting equipments are in
proper working condition along with trial
of communication equipment.
The equipment used in drills should be
immediately brought back to operational
condition. Any faults & defects discovered
should be remedied immediately
Conducted as if there was actual
 CHALLENGES IN FIRE SAFETY
To maintain the integrity of the means of
egress
To maintain fire safety equipment and fire
safety building features
Have building and fire protection features
designed and maintained to minimize the
effects of fire, smoke and heat
To inspect, test and maintain emergency power
systems
To conduct fire drills at periodic basis to impart
and improve their fire fighting skills.
 Major fire at Hyderabad hospital
A major fire broke out in a private superspeciality hospital in which around
150 people including 29 patients in ICU and emergency wards had a
providential escape today but an old patient on ventilation was not
lucky.
The condition of four persons, including three nurses, was critical after
they inhaled smoke and jumped from the second
floor when huge flames and thick clouds of smoke leapt from the five-
storey hospital building here, hospital sources said.
The blaze started on the ground floor of 'Park Superspeciality Hospital'
building this morning and quickly spread to the top floor. The persons
including several hospital staff who were lucky to escape were trapped
inside for nearly one hour before being pulled out of the fire.
Mangaiah, 75, a native of Suryapet who was already on ventilation before
being shifted to a nearby hospital after the blaze, died this evening
reportedly due to shock and inhaling smoke, hospital sources said
tonight.
As many as 37 persons, including 29 patients who were undergoing
treatment in ICU and other emergency wards, were shiftedto a nearby
corporate hospital. Though none of them suffered burn injuries, they
complained of asphyxiation due to
excess inhaling of smoke, sources said.
They were among the 150 persons that including patients, medical, para-
medical staff and attendants to have a providential escape due to timely