Post Lucknow tragedy, Fire safety audit launched at 22 hospitals

Prayagraj: In the wake of a devastating fire at Lucknow's Lokbandhu Hospital, the Prayagraj fire department has initiated a comprehensive fire safety audit targeting hospitals across the city as well as the trans-Ganga and trans-Yamuna regions of the district.

Chief Fire Officer R.K. Pandey confirmed that on Tuesday, fire safety teams carried out inspections at 22 hospitals across both urban and rural areas, including Naini, Soraon, Phaphamau, Meja, and Handia. The audit covered five hospitals, each in Naini and Soraon-Phaphamau, and two in Meja and Handia. Following the inspections, hospital authorities were issued a set of directives aimed at improving fire safety standards.

Also Read: Massive fire at Lucknow Hospital, 200 patients evacuated

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a fire broke out at Lokbandhu Hospital in Lucknow on Monday night, after which around 200 patients were safely evacuated. Authorities confirmed that all patients were safely moved to nearby hospitals, and no casualties have been reported.

The fire department formed five specialised teams to carry out the inspections across regions, including Koraon, Bara, Meja, Phulpur, and Handia. During the audits, officials interacted with hospital management to assess existing fire safety measures and issued specific directives for improvements.

According to TOI, the CFO added, "The fire department officials will interact with hospital management to improve fire safety apparatus, or action will be initiated if they fail to meet the required measures." Fire officials have asked hospital management to change old electric wiring and outdated fire-fighting equipment while carrying out checks at some hospitals in the city," said the CFO, adding, "The management of hospitals is also asked to go through electric safety audits".

The fire safety audit also includes a check to ensure that hospitals have obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Electrical Safety Directorate, a mandatory requirement for all establishments to operate safely.

Taking a cue from the recent hospital fire in Lucknow, fire department officials have advised hospital managements to promptly conduct an electrical safety audit through the Electrical Safety Directorate. They also recommended replacing outdated wiring, noting that old systems often fail to handle increased electrical loads and are a common cause of short circuits.

Also Read: 1800 hospitals get notices for violating fire safety norms in Uttar Pradesh