PCMC fire department issues notice to private hospitals on fire safety

Pune: Following the tragic fire incident at a baby care centre in Delhi's Vivek Vihar where seven newborns lost their lives, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) fire department has issued notices to all private hospitals and clinics registered with the civic body asking them to submit information about their fire safety measures.  

In the notice, the department has asked the hospitals to submit documents related to fire safety compliance and fire safety audit certificate within 10 days. After this, officials from the fire department will conduct a thorough fire safety audit before issuing a no-objection certificate (NOC). Furthermore, it has been cautioned that if a hospital does not acquire a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department, its license will be withheld.

According to officials, hospitals have to submit bills and photographs of the fire safety system, a certificate of daily maintenance of air conditioners, a fire safety audit certificate by a government-recognised fire licence agency, and names and contacts of members of the hospital fire safety committee.  

Also read- Ensure Fire NOCs, Conduct Inspections Of Hospitals: Pune Health Dept Issues Advisory

There are a total of 899 private hospitals and nursing homes registered under the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration Act 1949 that fall under the jurisdiction of the PMC. At the same time, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has 623 private hospitals and 1,456 clinics registered with the civic body. However, fire safety is neglected in many clinics and small and medium-sized hospitals.  

Speaking to HT, Manoj Lonkar, Deputy Commissioner of Fire Department, PCMC said, "Private hospitals with one bed or more have to install a fire fitting system. As fire safety audit certificate is issued to hospitals by recognised private agencies, it could be influenced."  

“All hospitals and clinics have received a notice requiring them to submit information about their fire safety measures within 10 days. Failure to obtain an NOC from the Fire Department will result in the withholding of medical licences. The Fire Department will conduct a thorough fire safety audit at each establishment. This audit aims to ensure compliance with regulations, focusing on the functionality and presence of fire protection systems such as fire alarms, fire smoke detectors etc,” he told Pune Times Mirror. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the joint director of health services has issued guidelines asking all health officials across the state to adopt proactive measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.

In a letter issued by Dr Sunita Golhait, the joint director of health services (Hospitals) has asked all health officers of Municipal corporations, district health officers, civil surgeons, and deputy directors across the state to conduct thorough inspections of all hospitals. These inspections aim to address any electrical capacity issues, verify the existence of valid fire NOCs, and enforce necessary safety protocols to prevent potential hospital fires.

In May, seven newborns died and five got injured after a baby care centre in Delhi's Vivek Vihar caught fire. It was revealed that the hospital authorities did not possess a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department and the hospital was operating despite the expiry of its license. Also, it had no qualified doctors.

Also read- 7 Newborns Dead, 5 Injured: What Went Wrong In Delhi's Neonatal Hospital That Caught Fire?