Healthcare facilities must be protected by security measures, which commercial buildings normally do not have to worry about. Water can cause irreparable damage to expensive equipment, while smoke can be combined with oxygen to cause devastating fires.
Additionally, patients recovering from a surgical procedure or even going through one before the event may not be able to be evacuated easily. Because of the expense and the sensitivity to medical devices, the wide risk of errors in hospitals, and the fire safety regulations that are geared towards safety at both the local and federal levels, healthcare professionals must be mindful of the best practices for fire safety.
In this comprehensive guide on fire damage prevention in hospitals, we’ve outlined essential tips and best practices to protect healthcare facilities against fire damage. It is vitally important that patients, staff, and valuable medical equipment remain safe. So click now to discover these valuable insights that will enable healthcare facilities to enhance their fire safety measures and better safeguard both lives and property!
Smoking cigarettes or using other substances carelessly is the leading cause of home fires. Suppose you have a space that is designated for smoking; put in massive ashtrays made of steel that are designed to withstand tipping. Make sure there’s no space for smoking near oxygen sources. Be sure that electrical cords, tools, and other equipment that is electrically powered are safely handled.
Make sure that the outlets and electrical cables are in good working order without damage, nicks, or edges that are frayed. Beware of running electrical cords under carpets or rugs, and avoid overloading extension cords or electrical outlets. Also, clean the tools, appliances, or devices that create fires, sparks, or odors. Take extra precautions regarding kitchens, dining areas, laundry rooms, and any other areas where the risk of fire is higher.
Don’t let smoking occur near machines that provide oxygen.
If there’s greater oxygen content in the atmosphere, flames can burn faster, easier, and more hot than normal, according to N.F.P.A.
Choose a fire safety official who is regularly educated.
The person in charge should ensure that the fire extinguishers have been placed in the proper place and nothing is blocking them. They should also be aware whether any safety seals have been damaged, leaky nozzles, or readings of the pressure gauge are correct.
Be aware of kitchens, particularly around breakfast or lunchtime, as well as dinner and breakfast times.
The N.F.P.A. stated that 61 percent of fires were caused by cooking equipment between 2006 and 2010. Storing flammable oils and liquids far from equipment for cooking and regularly cleaning grills and vents are two ways to stop burning.
Check your electrical outlets and wires regularly.
Making sure that the cords aren’t broken or split, in bad condition, or overloading are some ways to stop fires.
Develop your action plans.
A plan of action helps healthcare workers to be prepared in the event of a fire. The R.A.C.E. strategy is widely used in healthcare facilities. It means:
- Help patients in danger.
- Trigger the fire alarm when you notice an outbreak of fire.
- Contain fires by enclosing rooms and hallways and extinguish small fires, leaving large fires to firefighters.
Develop an emergency and fire safety plan.
Ensure that all employees within the building are aware of the rules. It is possible to conduct fire drills in order to make sure that everyone is aware of the evacuation route and procedures in the event there is an emergency fire.
- Check that escape routes, exits, and important pathways are clear and free of obstructions. Be sure to follow local guidelines for the locking of doors and keeping fire doors in good condition.
- Ensure that personnel are trained on using fire extinguishers.
- Staff members should be aware of the location of fire alarms and how to turn them on.
- Be aware of where the oxygen and the compressed gas shut-off controls are and how to utilize these controls.
- Staff members should be aware of the importance of immediate actions in the event an emergency fire occurs to ensure the safety of patients.
- Be sure that staff members are aware of how to move patients swiftly and safely, as well as what needs to be done to make sure patients are protected in the event there is an emergency fire.
If you’re updating your healthcare facility’s emergency plan, conducting the hospital’s fire drill, or scheduling a regular inspection of your hospital’s systems for fire protection, re-writing the documentation for compliance with regulations is always a must.
Documentation is vital to ensure the safety and compliance of your healthcare or hospital facility. It’s crucial for the security of all facilities. If your records are updated frequently, you will know where to go should you have an issue or emergency.
Full Regular Fire Extinguisher Training
The most effective method to avoid fires at healthcare institutions is to have regular training and maintenance of systems. It is also essential to ensure that if there’s a fire risk, personnel are aware of how to react.
Training in fire extinguishers has been proven to boost the speed and efficiency of your healthcare facility reacting to any danger. If employees are aware of how to make use of a fire extinguisher, they’re better equipped to react to the danger and employ the correct methods to safely stop the fire dangers before they propagate to the rest of your facility. Fire extinguisher courses on-site allow personnel to obtain the right training to react appropriately in the case of an incident of fire.
In healthcare facilities, preventing fires is essential. By ensuring careful planning, thorough training, and frequent maintenance of your fire suppression systems, your facility will be doing all that is possible to limit the danger of fire threatening your facilities.
Doors are also given a rating for fire resistance, which determines the length of time they are in a position to withstand extreme temperatures and flames without exploding.
