Heatwave Impact: Pune Hospitals to Undergo Mandatory Fire & Electrical Audits
Heatwave Impact: Pune Hospitals to Undergo Mandatory Fire & Electrical Audits
With temperatures soaring, the public health department has made comprehensive fire and electrical safety audits mandatory in all healthcare facilities across Pune district. The order was issued on Wednesday to prevent potential fire hazards caused by excessive heat.
Hospitals, especially during summer, face higher risks of fire incidents due to overloaded electrical systems, faulty wiring, and overheating of medical equipment. To address these risks, all district, sub-district, rural, and women’s hospitals have been instructed to conduct immediate safety audits.
Officials said hospitals must inspect all electrical wiring, circuitry, and transformers to identify and fix potential faults that may lead to short circuits. Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems should be tested for proper functioning, and faulty equipment must be repaired or replaced without delay.
The order also includes checking Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) systems and generators to ensure hospitals remain operational during power cuts. Heads of hospitals have been asked to inspect vital medical equipment like ventilators and air-cooling systems to prevent malfunctions due to overheating.
According to the Hindustan Times, fire safety drills and emergency evacuation training for hospital staff have also been mandated to enhance preparedness in case of an incident.
To deal with heat-related illnesses, a special heat stroke unit (cold room) with 10 beds has been set up at Pune District Hospital. Additionally, rural and sub-district hospitals have been equipped with five-bed units, essential medicines, and cooling equipment. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and well-equipped ambulances have been deployed at every hospital.
Administrators have been advised to arrange shaded seating areas and avoid public gatherings during peak afternoon hours to reduce heat exposure risks.
