Audit points out serious fire safety deficiencies in capital's 2 more hospitals

ISLAMABAD - A fire safety audit conducted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) following a tragic fire incident in the PIMS have revealed serious fire safety deficiencies at Capital Hospital CDA and the Federal Government Polyclinic (PGMI) of Islamabad. The audit revealed that with the existing fire-safety arrangements at the two major healthcare facilities are inadequate and requiring comprehensive improvement. According to details, audits, conducted on Thursday by the Capital Emergency Service's Fire Prevention, Protection & Advisory Unit, identified shortcomings in fire detection and suppression systems, emergency evacuation arrangements, firefighting infrastructure, electrical and gas safety and emergency preparedness. Fire safety systems found incomplete at 3 major govt hospitals At Capital Hospital CDA, the audit found that the fire alarm system was conventional or only partially installed, while an addressable fire alarm system was required. A dedicated fire control room was also unavailable and smoke-control systems had not been installed in several blocks. The report further noted that fire doors were not available at all required locations, while emergency stairs and protected evacuation routes were inadequate. ICU, operation theatres and other critical areas lacked adequate fire-rated compartmentation and protection. CDA launches solid waste management plan Existing fire extinguishers were found to be expired, insufficient in number and improperly installed. The hose-reel system was described as old or non-functional, while wet risers and yard hydrant systems had not been installed. Automatic sprinkler systems were also missing from required blocks. At Federal Government Polyclinic (PGMI), Sector G-6, the CDA audit identified 34 fire and life-safety requirements with substantial deficiencies requiring immediate corrective measures. Islamabad Police claim reduction in property crimes by 27pc According to the audit, several critical hospital areas did not have proper emergency exits, with some exits closed or obstructed. Automatic fire detection, manual fire alarms, sprinkler systems, hose reels, wet risers, yard hydrants and fire pumps were not provided. The polyclinic also lacked dedicated underground and terrace firefighting water storage tanks. The audit observed electrical wiring in poor condition and reported gas leakage near the main kitchen. Other deficiencies included inadequate housekeeping, lack of non-slip stair protection, fire blankets and PPE, glass anti-shatter protection and proper compartmentation of critical areas. The CDA has recommended immediate corrective measures at both facilities, including restoration of emergency exits, rectification of gas leakage and unsafe electrical wiring, installation of addressable fire alarm and detection systems, automatic sprinklers, wet risers and hydrant networks, and provision of dedicated firefighting water tanks and pumps. Meanwhile, CDA has urged the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) to make a valid Fire Safety NOC/Plan Approval mandatory for registration, licensing and renewal of all healthcare facilities in Islamabad. It also called for mandatory fire-system maintenance records, functional alarms, extinguishers, hydrants and emergency exits, besides regular fire-safety training and evacuation drills, stressing early action to ensure life safety and emergency preparedness. On the other side while responding to PIMS fire incident, the CDA has issue a incident occurrence report. The report said that a fire incident at the Children Nursery Ward of PIMS Hospital, Sector G-8, Islamabad, on August 26. The report said the fire was apparently caused by an electrical short circuit or plug overload. CDA emergency teams reached the site within six minutes, while a total of 19 victims were evacuated, including seven babies, 10 females and two males. The report highlighted serious safety lapses at the hospital, stating that fire and life-safety arrangements were inadequate and emergency exits were permanently locked from outside or obstructed. It also noted that hospital security staff created hurdles in the fire crew's initial response and that crowd management at the incident site was inadequate. A total of six fire tenders, six ambulances, a rescue van, a water bowser and 44 operational staff were deployed during the operation.