Fire can happen to anyone at any time and any place, even healthcare facilities. The effects of fires in hospitals can be devastating due to the loss of lives, injuries to staff or patients, as well as the loss of equipment and property, particularly since hospitals house a significant number of people who are insecure. People losing lives on the altar of treatment is a tragic tragedy that leads to a variety of health, economic and social implications. Read this article for more information!
Hospital fires, including close-to-miss incidents caused by human activity or as a sequel to natural disasters, occur more frequently than previously thought and result from internal or external dangers.
Internal mistakes that caused the fire incidents were caused by short-circuits except one that was caused by inadvertently using the hospital’s basement.
The basement, intended to be used to be used as a parking area, was also used as a storage space for gas cylinders liquefied from petroleum mattress, mattresses and wooden boxes. The basement also contained pharmacies as well as a central storage room, and a biomedical section with flammable materials.
During the short-circuit-related fires, most of the air conditioning units were destroyed in areas such as intensive care units (ICUs) receiving ventilator support, X-ray rooms, neonatology incubators, pediatric intensive care units, children’s wards, dialysis units, operation theatres, and storage rooms for biomedical equipment.
Some of these facilities contain equipment like ventilators with high and fluctuating power loads, making them vulnerable to short-circuiting. The oxygen enrichment in the air is the primary cause of numerous fires.
The amount of energy required to start a fire decreases when a higher O2 concentration is present. Any heat or spark could be the reason for the ignition.
Generally, these fires can be divided into confined and unconfined fires.
Confined Fires
Confined fires are ones that are limited to specific types of equipment or objects, and restricted in their extent, for example, cooking pans on stovetops. They are much easier to contain and put out before they go too out of hand.
More than 73% of healthcare fires are classified as confined and do not cause severe injuries or a significant loss of property although there is some property damage due to the smoke or water.
Electrical Malfunction
accounting for a minimum of 10% of all accidents in hospitals, the most common electrical malfunctions have to do with the control mechanisms found in tiny appliances trash compactors and other equipment in which low-voltage wiring is in place. The harm is typically limited to the circuit board where the control mechanisms for operation are located.
Fires caused by electrical currents are put out by shutting off the electric current — only when it is safe to do so or with the help of a fire extinguisher of Class C. Remember that you shouldn’t sprinkle water over an electrical fire because it could increase the flame’s intensity and increase the risk of being electrocuted or burned.
Heating Systems
Most heating system fires happen in an ignition device for the boiler in which there is no damage to the box but are chimney fires that remain in the flue. You should use a Class C extinguisher if the fire is coming via an electrical outlet. When the flame is in an air flue, it’s likely to require the help of experts to get it out.
Cooking
Cooking is one of the leading causes of fires in healthcare facilities 60 per cent of all confined fires happen within the kitchen. The best time to deal with small fires occurs between noon and 1 p.m. as meals are cooked. These kinds of fires are typically put out by taking the cooker away from the source of heat by protecting the flame with an aluminium lid if possible and utilizing an extinguisher of Class B in the event of a need.
Unconfined Fires
One of the characteristics of a non-confined fire is that most of the heat generated by the main flame escapes and is spread throughout the structure via convection and radiation. This causes the building to heat up. covering the ceilings and walls in the room. The heat is then reflected to the fire, increasing the temperature.
The larger fires account for only 27% of hospital fires, yet they account for the most deaths and property destruction. In general, local measures are not able to contain these fires. Consequently, your neighbourhood fire service will have to put them out.
Intentional Acts
Healthcare facilities that offer treatment for patients suffering from mental, physical or developmental diseases have seen higher rates of deliberately set fires. These fires can cause 13 per cent of all property damage—15 per cent of personal injuries, and 6 per cent of fires that are reported.
Electrical Malfunction
Electrical faults are the primary cause of fires that are not contained, which account for more than 22% of reported incidents. The causes of these fires can be issues with electrical distribution or lighting equipment. They can also quickly spread throughout the structure and even travel along the path of wires. Click information here!
Appliances
Appliance fires that begin in dryers, clothes washers, and other equipment that produces heat are responsible for 8 percent of the fires in hospitals.
Importance of Fire Safety in Hospitals
Although hospitals constitute among the most strictly controlled buildings regarding fire safety, they still occur at alarming rates.
Most fires are small and only cause minor damage. However, they could cause serious injuries or even death.
Protection for Hospital Fire Safety: Main Categories
There are two major types of fire safety measures:
Active Fire Protection
Active fire protection is a system that automatically operates when a fire occurs. The fire’s radiance energizes activated systems, and their response can be either manual or programmatic.
Passive Fire Protection
Passive fire protection doesn’t require active intervention. It creates a barrier between people and flame to minimize harm to the structure or its surroundings. In order to accomplish this, there are three primary methods:
- Restricting or limiting the flow of heat, flames, and smoke through windowsills, doors, and recess areas
- acting as an actual buffer in between spaces (i.e. creating space between potential sources of fuel or ignition)
- Separating utilities, for example, electrical switchboards
Solutions to Improve Fire Safety in Hospitals
Smoke Alarms
The most crucial aspects of fire safety in hospitals include the usage of smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are a quick warning system that could alert guests, staff members and patients to the presence of a fire. They can be placed throughout the hospital, including hallways, corridors, staircases, and rooms for patients. Additionally, smoke alarms can be linked to the Central fire alarm, which gives first responders the chance to respond to fire emergencies quickly.
Planned Escape Routes
In the event of an emergency, it is essential to have a fire evacuation and safety strategy in place. Be sure that all employees are aware of safety protocols. To ensure you are prepared to prevent fires, you should conduct regular fire drills to ensure everyone is aware of their evacuation routes and the steps to take in the event of an emergency fire.
Public Address Voice Alarm
Voice alarms can offer precise and clear instructions in the case of fire to ensure that everyone within the building understands the proper steps. They are also able to update the situation and offer evacuees security. The voice alarms are also usually linked to other fire protection systems, including fire doors and sprinklers, which could further increase safety.