BMC plans to update 16 hospitals’ fire fighting systems

The decision comes after a fire tragedy at Bhandara hospital claimed the lives of 10 newborns. File Pic/PTI

To improve the fire safety systems in medical institutions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to install smoke detectors and extractor systems at 16 civic hospitals. The decision comes after a fire tragedy at Bhandara hospital claimed the lives of 10 newborns in January. The Mumbai Fire Brigade carried out an inspection of hospitals for updating fire fighting systems. Thereafter, it was then decided to install smoke detectors and exhaust systems at civic hospitals.

The system, which can detect the source of the smoke and extract it, would be installed in 16 peripheral hospitals. The civic administration has proposed M/s Mac Enterprises for the project. The proposal will be tabled before the standing committee meeting on Wednesday. The project will cost the BMC Rs 2.1 crore, and the installation will take six months after the issuance of the work. "In multiple incidents, it was found that the smoke impairs visibility and many lost lives due to suffocation. The smoke detector will alert about the smoke and the exhaust system will dispose of the gas. It will help improve the visibility and save lives," said a civic official.

He added that the systems will be tubeless, as very little space is available at these hospitals. The system was first installed in some of the departments of KEM hospital last year as a pilot project. It was successful and now the BMC has decided to install it in all hospitals in phases. After the 16 peripheral hospitals, the system will be installed in major hospitals like Nair, KEM, Sion, Cooper and then other speciality hospitals.

Another set-up for Sion hospital's electric system

Another system to extinguish fire in an electric system and stop it from spreading further will be installed at civic-run Lokmanya Tilak Hospital in Sion. It will be also set up in the office building of the BMC's B ward. As per the proposal, the requirement came from the hospital and the ward office. The system will automatically control the fire in the electric system. The cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 1.9 crore.