ISLAMABAD: Fire safety arrangements at Capital Hospital in Islamabad have been found to be insufficient, following a similar disclosure at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), ARY News reported.
The shortcomings surfaced during a fire safety audit conducted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which revealed egregious discrepancies in the hospital’s safety measures.
The report declared the hospital’s fire safety arrangements entirely inadequate, noting the absence of a timely alarm system to alert occupants in the event of a fire. Furthermore, the report stated that a dedicated fire control room has not been established at the facility.
The audit highlighted that there are no appropriate arrangements for smoke extraction, and emergency exits lack proper fire safety doors. Emergency ladders and protective pathways were also deemed insufficient, while sensitive areas such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and operation theatres lacked adequate fire protection measures.
Fire extinguishers were found to be expired and insufficient in number, and the outdated firefighting system was non-functional, prompting a recommendation for its immediate replacement.
The building also lacks a comprehensive emergency lighting system, and the hospital suffers from a shortage of trained firefighting personnel. The report recommended deploying a minimum of two trained firefighters around the clock.
Additionally, the facility does not conduct regular fire and rescue drills, and critical areas like server and record rooms lack adequate fire protection systems. The report has directed authorities to address all discrepancies on a priority basis.
