Hospitals are very important places that need strong fire safety rules. Fire Safety Guidelines for Hospitals in India can put patients, staff, and healthcare services at risk. In recent years, India has had many hospital fires leading to loss of lives. This shows how important it is to have strict fire safety rules for all hospitals. Fire safety is very important in hospitals because there are people who need extra help and important medical equipment. Some patients can’t move quickly or leave by themselves if there’s a fire. Also, things like medical gases and oxygen can make fires more dangerous. Fires can also cost a lot of money and stop the hospital from working properly. That’s why it’s really important to have good fire prevention and protection in hospitals.

1. FIRE SAFETY
GUIDELINES FOR
HOSPITALS IN INDIA
Basic Elements

2. CAUSES OF FIRE SAFETY
GUIDELINES FOR HOSPITALS
IN INDIA
Hospitals have a lot of things that could easily start fires. If
people are not careful, these fires can be very dangerous.
Some common reasons fires start in hospitals include:
• Electrical faults – Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits,
defective appliances and other electrical issues account
for around 15-20% of hospital fires. Fires can start from
sparks in wiring, short circuits, overheated appliances etc.
• Cooking accidents – Hospital kitchens operate almost
round-the-clock and accidents like grease fires,
unattended stoves, defective appliances can easily trigger
blazes.
• Smoking – Despite bans, smoking remains a major fire
hazard. Cigarettes and matches can ignite fires if not
properly extinguished or discarded.
• Arson – Intentional fires, often set by patients, are another
cause for hospital fires.

3. FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS
AND CODES
India has detailed rules and guidelines for fire safety in
hospitals and healthcare places. The main rules come from
the National Building Code of India (NBC), which includes
fire safety measures for both new and old buildings.
The NBC fire safety regulations cover various aspects like
construction materials, egress requirements, detection and
suppression systems, fire separation, etc. Some important
provisions include:
Requirements for fire-resistive construction based on building size and
occupancy. Hospitals are classified under institutional occupancy,
which has more stringent requirements.
Minimum number, width and location of exits and exit access
pathways. The NBC specifies minimum stair widths, exit door widths,
etc. based on occupancy load.
Mandatory fire detection, alarm and suppression systems. For
hospitals, an automatic sprinkler system is required along with fire
alarm system connected to a control room.

4. STRUCTURAL FIRE
PROTECTION
Fire-resistant construction materials
Hospitals should utilize fire-resistant construction materials
that are rated to withstand fire for 1-2 hours without
structural failure.
Fire doors, walls and partitions
Fire-rated doors with self-closing mechanisms play a
crucial role. They should have fire resistance ratings of 1-
1.5 hours.
Exit stairwell requirements
Exit stairwells must be constructed with 2-hour fire rated
enclosures and doors to allow safe egress.
Hospitals have unique structural fire protection needs compared to
other buildings due to the presence of patients who may have limited
mobility. Key aspects of structural fire protection in hospitals include

5. ELECTRICAL AND POWER
SAFETY
ELECTRICAL FIRE
PREVENTION SAFE ELECTRICAL
• Hospitals must have backup
generators to supply power to
critical areas during outages.
Generators should be tested and
serviced routinely.
• Fuel supply lines and storage tanks
should have proper fire prevention
systems.
• Train staff to watch for signs of
electrical faults like flickering lights.
• Combustible materials should be
kept away from electrical panels and
equipment.
• Regular maintenance checks should
look for loose connections, frayed
wires, hot spots etc.
• Use surge protectors to prevent
voltage spikes. Install emergency
power off switches.
• Ensure electrical rooms are properly
ventilated and cooled. Conduct
thermographic inspections to check
for hot spots.
BACKUP GENERATORS

6. FIRE SAFETY PLANS
Evacuation Plans
Detailed evacuation diagrams should be posted in all
patient rooms, waiting areas, and staff workstations.
These maps indicate the closest emergency exits and
designated meeting points outdoors.
Signage and Emergency Lighting
Exit signs with directional arrows should clearly mark
paths to emergency exits and stairs. These must be
illuminated at all times in case of power failure.
Hospitals in India must develop comprehensive fire safety plans to
protect patients, staff, and visitors in case of emergency. These
plans outline procedures and responsibilities for prevention,
evacuation, and response.

7. THANK YOU!
Fire safety is of paramount importance for
hospitals in India. As discussed in this article,
hospitals face unique fire risks due to the
presence of oxygen tanks, flammable chemicals,
old wiring, vulnerable patients, and other
hazards. By following fire safety guidelines and
regulations, hospitals can greatly reduce the
chances of fire and be prepared to respond
swiftly in case of emergency.
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