AIIMS reviews fire safety measures, to rectify shortcomings

In the wake of a major fire mishap at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, AIIMS, which has witnessed two small fire incidents this year, today reviewed its fire safety measures and preparedness.

New Delhi, Oct 19: In the wake of a major fire mishap at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, AIIMS, which has witnessed two small fire incidents this year, today reviewed its fire safety measures and preparedness.

Following a review meeting with all the officials of Delhi Fire Service, AIIMS Engineering Wing, Fire Supervisors and Security Personnel, the Deputy Director Administration of the AIIMS V Srinivas said, "AIIMS fire preparedness is in accordance with the provisions of the Delhi Fire Services Act."

The premier institute has witnessed two small electrical fires this year, both of which were due to UPS cables catching fire. The fires were extinguished and no major loss to property was reported, the AIIMS said in a statement.

"The recommendations made by the CISF in their Fire Preparedness Study of AIIMS have been fully implemented. There are 30 trained fire officers and supervisors deployed at the Main Hospital and various centres.

Fire systems are well maintained and on auto-mode. "All fire exists are fully operational. The fire supervisors have trained over 4,000 faculty, non-faculty and nursing personnel in 2016," the statement said.

The Centre for Medical Education and Training AIIMS has conducted training programmes for 700 newly-recruited nurses on fire preparedness, it added. "Monthly fire preparedness exercises are being held in the main hospital and centres.

The main hospital and centres would also be undertaking evacuation drills in October to further enhance their preparedness," it said. To address the electrical fires at the institute and centres, Srinivas said "thermal scanning and thermal imaging audits have been conducted." "Cables where temperatures increase are immediately detected in the process.

All panels having loose wires have been checked. Fire safety circulars have been issued to all faculty and laboratory in-charges," he said.

Delhi Fire Service has advised some improvements in fire safety operations for the Jaiprkaash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre and Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Studies with regard to installation of smoke management systems and sprinkler automisation, he said. "These shortcomings would be rectified in the next 10 days.

The institute also said that over 2,000 fire extinguishers installed in all patient care areas, teaching blocks, residential areas are well maintained, fully functional and available on auto-mode," it said.

PTI