Over 200 hospitals in Telangana served notices for violations

Hyderabad: The Telangana Fire Department has issued notices to at least 230 hospitals across the city for not complying with mandatory fire safety norms, particularly in buildings exceeding 15 metres. The action is part of a large-scale inspection drive covering around 800 hospitals so far.

As per the news reports, the inspections, being conducted simultaneously by all 145 fire stations, are part of a focused 10-12 day exercise targeting healthcare facilities. Each station is tasked with inspecting at least one building per day, with the aim of covering between 1,400 and 1,600 government and private hospitals in total.

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Audits conducted during the drive revealed alarming gaps in fire preparedness. Many hospitals were found lacking essential infrastructure such as functional fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, automatic sprinklers, hose reels, and properly serviced fire extinguishers. In several cases, emergency exits were blocked or inaccessible, and evacuation plans and staff training were inadequate.

Officials are closely assessing compliance with key requirements, including valid fire no-objection certificates (NOCs), operational fire-fighting systems, and overall emergency readiness. High-risk areas such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Neonatal ICUs, operating theatres, and medical gas storage units are receiving special attention.

Speaking to TOI, a senior district fire officer said, "During inspections, we are repeatedly finding missing or non-functional fire extinguishers, non-working smoke detectors, absence of sprinkler systems, and poorly maintained fire alarm panels." "In some hospitals, emergency exits are locked or encroached upon, while critical systems like hydrants and hose reels are either not installed or not in working condition."

The officer also highlighted unsafe practices, including the storage of oxygen cylinders in confined basement areas and overloaded electrical circuits, both of which significantly increase the risk of fires.

Hospitals found with serious violations risk denial of fire no objection certificate (NOC) renewals and prosecution under the Telangana Fire Service Act, 1999. Those with minor deficiencies have been given a two-week deadline to rectify the issues, failing which stricter action will follow.

Officials said the drive was intensified following recent fire incidents. On March 29, a fire broke out at a private hospital in Masab Tank after an air-conditioner reportedly exploded, triggering panic among patients and staff, though no injuries were reported. In another incident, a blaze at SCB Medical College Hospital caused by an electrical short circuit in an ICU claimed 12 lives, underscoring the urgent need for strict compliance with fire safety norms, reports TOI.

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