1,800 hospitals served notices for hearth security violations: UP Fireplace Companies DG

Whereas Lucknow has witnessed a number of incidents of hospitals catching hearth, the December 18 incident at Sanjay Gandhi Submit Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), whereby a lady and an toddler had been killed, has jolted the authorities to behave instantly. Whereas Uttar Pradesh Fireplace and Emergency Service has frequently carried out security drives and consciousness campaigns, it lately performed a statewide electrical security audit of hospitals throughout the state.

Avinash Chandra, UP Fireplace Companies DG (HT)

In an interview with HT, the director common of UP Fireplace Companies, Avinash Chandra, spoke about actions taken towards hospitals for security violations whereas additionally stressing on the division’s try to boost hearth security consciousness. He stated the division has served notices on round 1,800 hospitals within the state. Excerpts:

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Please share extra particulars in regards to the statewide audit.

Drives had been performed earlier than, however seeing SGPGIMS hearth, we ordered a statewide electrical audit and consciousness drive. There are 12,276 licensed hospitals within the state, whereas the remaining are operating in small areas with out correct licensing. Whereas the drive was carried out between December 20 and 27, because of the giant variety of hospitals a second spherical was additionally performed from December 30 to January 5.

What’s the prime cause for hearth in hospitals?

Over 80% of fires occur on account of electrical quick circuits. In winter, their quantity rises on account of heavy utilization {of electrical} home equipment. As heavy electrical gear in hospitals run 24×7, they’re extra liable to struggling quick circuits, which many a time take the type of hearth. Many gear have poor high quality wires with decrease present carrying capacities.

What motion will be taken towards hospitals for violating security norms as per the UP Fireplace and Emergency Companies Act, 2022?

There are very strict standards within the regulation that can be invoked now. Any hospital or different premises sans correct hearth security measures can be sealed. We first serve them discover asking them to take corrective measures. In the event that they fail to make sure the identical, hardest motion can be taken towards them.

Any motion taken up to now towards hospitals?

They’re within the pipeline. Nearly 20-25 hospitals in every district, which implies about 1,800 hospitals, have been served discover for not making certain hearth security measures inside their premises. The difficulty is sub-judice. Our concept is to take corrective motion as a substitute of shutting down a hospital as that may hamper well being providers within the space.

Is there an replace on a report that was to be submitted by a seven-member committee fashioned by the federal government to probe the PGI hearth?

The committee can be submitting its report back to the division involved. Its observations and recommendations can be applied accordingly.

Any step being taken by the division in view of accelerating hearth incidents?

Each firefighter is being educated to drive, carry out a drill and do all the things else required in a rescue operation. This can remove the requirement of deploying extra individuals for a small operation.