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5 regulations that SUM Hospital flouted: What we must know about fire safety in hospitals

The Odisha government has slammed SUM Hospital for negligence with regard to fire safety regulations, leading to culpable homicide.

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Updated:19th Oct, 2016 at 8:50 PM

BHUBANESHWAR: The Odisha government has slammed SUM Hospital for negligence with regard to fire safety regulations, leading to culpable homicide. Despite suggestions given during an audit in 2013, the hospital had failed to implement essential fire safety measures. In fact, a recent media report also claimed that the hospital had not obtained a NOC (No-Objection Certificate) from the fire department and had already lost its accredition two months ago.

There are several regulations and guidelines mentioned in the National Disaster Management Guidelines laid out by the Government of India for hospital safety. Here are five major fire safety norms that the SUM was found to be in violation of:

Water sprinklers were non-functional on the second floor where the Intensive Care Unit is located, and where the fire broke out.
No overhead water tank or water storage to douse fire in such mishaps. As per the guidelines, SUM was directed to set up a 25,000 - litre tank.
Lack of emergency staircases for immediate fire exit.
No system or sirens in place for automatic fire alert.
Fire hydrants installed had no water connection

Another news report from Chennai on Wednesday said a majority of both government and private hospitals in the city were in violation of various safety regulations, if not all.

But what are the basic norms as per the National Disaster Management (NDM)?

A Hospital Disaster Management Plan (HDMP) and frequent ICU & ward evacuation drills are deemed necessary amidst several other safety measures. The HDMP, formed by a set Disaster Management Committee of the hospital is also required to design floor maps, pointing at the designated exit ways for smooth evacuation in case of a mishap. Every hospital must not just have adequate resources like fire extinguishers and pre-stored water supply, but must also conduct regular training of hospital staff about evacuation procedures for patients.

In fact, hospitals must also have a standardised colour code system like "Code Green: Evacuation/ rapid response team", "Code Black: Bomb threat/ suspicious object", "Code Blue: Medical emergency/cardiac arrest", in place to communicate in times of crisis.

The SUM hospital management indeed has a lot to answer over Monday evening's blaze that claimed 20 lives and injured over a 100.

After fire officer (Central Range) had lodged an FIR against the hospital management at Khandagiri Police Station citing negligence in installing fire safety measures in the hospital despite recommendations made in a 2013 audit, the hospital authorities are now facing charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence in dealing with combustible substances.