Restrict use of dhoop, agarbatti in Hospital: PGIMER tells its HODS

Chandigarh: With the aim of ensuring fire safety at the premier Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), the Deputy Director of the institute has released a set of guidelines for all the department Heads and HODs to follow. 

Among other measures of fire safety, the direction was seen asking all departments to restrict the lighting of Dhoop / Jot / Agarbatti in the department/establishment / Laboratories premises to ensure the patients and attendants safety. 

Fire incidents are common in hospitals and public institutions. A few months ago, a minor fire occurred on January 16  at the PGI Advanced Trauma Centre OPD due to an oxygen cylinder being opened by a hospital attendant. 

" In order to avoid any untoward fire incident in the institute to ensure the safety & security of the hospital visitors (i.e patients, their attendants, visitors, and staff), as well as for the larger interest of the Institute, the cooperation of all the staff of the institute is sought," the circular has said. The circular further highlighted some important steps to avoid fire incidents at the hospital.

"Cooking inside the hospital building can be quite risky and to prevent from occurring any such minor or major fire accidents in the future, the director has directed to not cook anything using a gas stove in the hospital building during department conference / CMC / workshop, etc and if necessary should be done atleast 06 meters away from the building," stated the notice

" Lighting of Dhoop / Jot / Agarbatti in the department/establishment / Laboratories etc should be restricted", the notice added

The guidelines also mentioned that after using any electric appliances, they should not be left unattended in running conditions as fire accidents can also take place immediately. Hence, it is always better to switch off the device immediately after use. 

In order to prevent any fire accidents in the future and to facilitate the smooth operation of the institute in case of a fire, all corridors, catwalks, and fire escape routes should be kept clear from any obstruction.

The director advised all the hospital staff to take the fire guidelines seriously in order to prevent any untoward fire accidents in the institute and to ensure that people inside the hospital are safe and secure.

"Cooperation of all concerned is solicited to ensure the institute remains FIRE FREE" read the circular.