A fire in any kind of structure can result in injuries or property damage and may even cause death. A fire in a health facility where patients aren’t in a position to get out of their beds and where chemicals can be volatile can pose a danger.
Hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare institutions are all enthused about preventing fires. Here are some of the most important elements to consider when establishing and implementing fire safety procedures at a healthcare facility.
Importance of Fire Safety in Hospitals
Although hospitals are among the most tightly controlled buildings regarding fire safety, they still occur at a high rate. According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association, between 2012 and 2014, there were around 5,700 structural fires within healthcare facilities. The majority of fires are small and only cause minor damages, but they could nevertheless cause serious injury as well as death.
Statistics on Hospital Fires
The most common causes of smoke and fire destruction in healthcare facilities include:
Cooking Equipment
The majority of than half of all fires at healthcare facilities are in the kitchen area than any other place, and 60% of all confined fires occur in the kitchen. The most frequent time for the fires to start is between noon and 1 p.m. as staff prepare meals.
Cigarette smoke or other smoking materials:
They can be very risky if used recklessly. If you have an area designated for smoking and you want to introduce ashtrays of a sturdy metal that can’t be placed on top. It is important to ensure that there’s no smoking in oxygen tanks.
Power Outages:
These are a problem for the majority of hospital equipment and medical equipment. They are 10% or less of all fire-related incidents. The damage is usually restricted only to circuit panels that have operating controls. Continue reading for more info!
Solutions to Enhance Fire Safety in Hospitals
Planned Escape Routes
In the case of an emergency, it’s essential for a rescue and security plan in place. Workers must be informed of the safety procedures. To ensure you’re well-prepared, conduct regular fire drills that ensure everyone knows the evacuation routes and the steps to take in the event of fire emergencies.
Horizontal Smoke Curtains and Fire Curtains
Modern designs usually have openings in the ceilings to improve the appearance. Like an elevator shaft, gaps horizontally let smoke and fire fill the floors above quickly. Horizontal fire curtains and smoke close rapidly, ensuring that fire and smoke are in control even when other elimination systems are operating to clean the area.
Smoke Alarms
An essential aspect of fire safety in hospitals is using smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are an instant alarm system that alerts staff, visitors, and patients to the possibility of fire. They can be installed in all hospital areas, like patient rooms, hallways, corridors, and stairwells. Smoke alarms are connected to the hospital’s central alarm system, allowing the first emergency personnel to respond to fire emergencies quickly.
Emergency Escape Lighting
If there is an emergency, the lights in the escape zone will assist people in finding the nearest exit while providing an easy path to safety. This is crucial in hospitals where patients may require clarification or clarification of their surroundings. The lighting for emergency escapes can help identify hazards in rooms with smoke or areas with thick smoke. Furthermore, illumination for escape routes can ease anxiety by providing an easy route to safety.
Perimeter Fire Curtains and Smoke Curtains
In a fire, the main priority should be the security of the people evacuated from the building. If an incident results in power systems shutting down, elevators cannot be functional, and stairs are the most common way to get out.
A smoke-resistant fire curtain could be used to safeguard stairs and escalators from smoke and fire and smoke, in addition to offering the potential for a smoke pond on the floors above or an atrium or other open space. To create an effective blend, a perimeter curtain could be a good addition to the existing fire suppression systems or fire curtains. For more details, visit here.
A Voice Alert for Public Address
Voice alarms can offer precise and precise instructions during an emergency to ensure that everyone in the building knows the correct steps to take. They can also inform the public about the situation and also offer evacuees protection. In addition, they are frequently linked to other security systems for fire protection, such as sprinklers and fire doors, that further improve security.
Vertical Smoke and Fire Curtains
Contrary to the fire and smoke suppression mechanisms built into the structure, such as smoking doors and doors for fire, vertical curtains may be targeted at a particular space or space where there is a fire.
They are suspended from the ceiling, swiftly closing large openings in walls and blocking the flame from entering by stopping oxygen from entering the space and limiting the spread of smoke throughout the room. If they are paired with the central control room for fire alarms, the first responders can start the curtains quickly before detecting fire, offering a way to escape for staff and residents.
Smoke Curtains in the Elevator
One important aspect of fire protection in hospitals is the installation of smoke curtains. Smoke curtains are designed to block the lift shaft. This is typically the largest open area that permits fire and smoke to flow to floors freely. The most efficient curtain designs allow elevator users to exit quickly and close the gap independently.
Conclusion
Enhancing fire safety in healthcare facilities must be considered. While healthcare institutions strive to promote healing and care for their patients and staff, fires remain an ever-present danger. By understanding common causes and applying solutions discussed herein, healthcare facilities can significantly lower fire incidents by planning escape routes, installing modern fire curtain systems, installing smoke alarms, and emergency escape lighting to bolster fire safety measures – ultimately furthering their mission of care and well-being.
