5 Most Common Reasons for Fire in Hospitals
Hospitals, a place where everyone goes to get better health, healing, and recovery for everyone, can, unfortunately, become sites of danger when fires break out. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), hospital fires make up about 9% of all notified fires annually. These incidents can lead to damage, extreme injuries, and even lives of people. Understanding the main reasons for these fires is essential for the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Here are the five most common reasons for fires in hospitals and commercial buildings which are electric equipment, kitchen facilities in hospitals, specialized medicine equipment, smoking materials, and intentional fire setting.
Here we list 5 main reasons for fire in hospitals. Have a look:
1. Electric Equipment
Hospital electrical fires generally occur due to faulty systems or wiring. A damaged wire or an improper setup could give rise to faulty wiring. Faulty equipment might have broken parts or components that were not fixed correctly.
Other causes of electrical fires are faulty electrical equipment like switches and dimmers; overload extension cables; faulty appliances; overloaded sockets; overloading circuits; and power surges carried on by lightning strikes or other electromagnetic interference sources.
2. Hospital Kitchen Facilities
It may surprise you when you realize that kitchen fires happen regularly. They are probably the main reasons why commercial buildings catch fire.
Considering that hospital cooking facilities are the most common cause of fires, a kitchen fire has a chance to do great harm. There could be a lot of causes for this, such as an increase in the number of staff members who have the opportunity to move around and cook their meals and an increase in the number of people who come into interactions with electrical appliances.
3. Specific Medical Equipment
Special medical equipment has been responsible for of an increasing number of hospital accidents in recent years. Lasers and electrosurgical equipment are common sources of ignition due to their high power output. Oxygen tanks, surgical clothing, and flammable sterilizing chemicals are all at play in these fires.
Staff at hospitals have to be aware of the possible fire risks that these kinds of equipment offer and take precautions to prevent them. When using lasers and electrosurgical equipment, one should use areas with adequate ventilation and keep them away from flammable chemicals, oxygen tanks, and medical clothes.
These things ought to be kept, if at all feasible, in cabinets or different containers that are fireproof. Staff at hospitals must adhere to established fire prevention guidelines in the case of a fire. Call the fire brigade and exit the area right away. Stay away from trying to put out the fire on your own since you could be hurt. Hospital staff may help the prevention of fires caused by specialized medical equipment by following these easy safety measures.
4. Gas Cylinders And Medical Oxygen Compliance
The equipment that stores pressurized gases like propane, oxygen, acetylene, or butane is known as a gas cylinder. They can be found within a hospital in several places, like supply closets, pharmacies, and operating rooms.
These medical oxygen cylinders look like standard hospital equipment, but if not used properly, they can be extremely dangerous. If a cylinder’s valves fail or it is overflowing, it may burst.
Here are some tips for the right storage and securing of gas cylinders and medical oxygen:
- Store gas cylinders and medical oxygen in a well-ventilated area to prevent the accumulation of gas in case of leaks.
- Keep cylinders in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and flammable materials.
- Store full and empty cylinders separately. Also, observe different types of gases (e.g., oxygen and acetylene) separated to control hazardous reactions.
- Store gas cylinders in areas away from heavy traffic to reduce the risk of accidental damage
- Check gas cylinders and medical oxygen regularly.
- These simple tips can help control hospital fires generated by gas cylinders and medical oxygen.
5. Hand sanitizers
Hospitals often utilize hand rubs with alcohol in it to stop the spread of infection. These things should be stored at least six feet away from any potential sources of fire, though, since they have the potential to catch fire. Hand sanitizer use or storage gone wrong has been the cause in several hospital fires in recent years, involving serious harm and even fatalities.
Staff members have to be properly instructed in the safe storage and use of hand sanitizers for the purpose prevent disasters of this nature. Hospitals may want to consider spending money on non-flammable alternatives for alcohol-based products, as they can offer a comparable degree of security without the same risk of fire. By having the right safeguards in place, we may contribute to making hospital fires a thing of the past.
Some Fire Safety Tips For Hospital
- Conduct regular training and drills for all staff for fire safety.
- Confirm that all fire safety equipment, like fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems, are installed properly and checked and maintained regularly.
- Design and convey a clear evacuation plan for everyone who visits in hospital like patients, staff, and visitors in case of a fire. Practice to ensure everyone knows their positions and exit routes.
- To provide easy evacuation for emergency responders, maintain all hospital locations clear of clutter, mainly in hallways, stairwells, and emergency exits.
- Store and manage flammable materials, chemicals, and gases in selected areas that complete safety standards and regulations.
- Follow appropriate electrical safety protocols, like regular equipment care, avoiding overloading sockets, and safely managing electrical cords and platforms.
- Execute a strict no-smoking guideline throughout the hospital premises, and have specified smoking areas away from buildings.
- Properly keep and take oxygen cylinders, providing they are attached and kept away from potential ignition sources.
- Familiarize staff with possible fire hazards associated with specialized medical equipment and teach them safe operating systems.
- Install fireproof doors and barriers to compartmentalize sites and stop fire spread.
- Regularly check and maintain heating and cooling systems, boilers, and other heat-producing equipment to control malfunctions and possible fire risks.
- Have emergency contact systems to alert staff, patients, and visitors in case of a fire.
Conclusion
The system is to provide safe surroundings in which fires may be included and hospital personnel can react fast enough to minimize harm. Understanding the reasons for fire in hospitals allows you to save patients, employees, and visitors. Connect with Damia Global Services for the installation of Fire Extinguishers for the Hospital.