Pune News: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has recently issued notices to private hospitals registered under the Nursing Home Act within the twin city area. The hospitals have been directed to submit essential documents related to fire safety compliance and a fire safety audit certificate to the fire brigade department within ten days, officials announced on Thursday.
Stringent Fire Safety Measures Required
Manoj Lonkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of PCMC, emphasized that every private hospital, regardless of size, must install a comprehensive fire-fighting system. He highlighted concerns that fire safety audit certificates, typically issued by recognized private agencies, could potentially be influenced, thus necessitating thorough verification.
Scope of the Notice
In Pimpri-Chinchwad, there are 623 private hospitals and 1,456 clinics. The current notices have been specifically served to hospitals, not clinics, to ensure they meet stringent fire safety standards. This proactive measure comes in response to a recent tragic fire incident at a hospital in Delhi, which resulted in the loss of seven lives and injuries to many others.
Verification and Compliance
“Upon receiving the required certificates and documents, PCMC fire brigade staff will conduct visits to each hospital to verify the submissions and inspect the fire safety systems in place. Only after this verification will a fire non-objection certificate (NoC) be issued,” explained Lonkar.
Required Documentation
Hospitals are required to provide a comprehensive set of documents to the PCMC fire brigade, including:
- Bills and photographs of the installed fire safety systems.
- A certificate of daily maintenance of air conditioners.
- A fire safety audit certificate from a government-recognized fire license agency.
- Names and contact information of the members of the hospital fire safety committee.
These measures aim to ensure that all hospitals within the twin city comply with necessary fire safety protocols, thereby enhancing safety and preparedness in the event of a fire.
