Center tightens hospital fire safety norms, enforces audits and evacuation plans

NEW DELHI: In an effort to prevent deadly hospital fires, India’s health ministry has issued revised national guidelines requiring healthcare facilities to conduct stricter safety inspections, regular audits and clear evacuation protocols.The National Guidelines for Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities (2026) set out a comprehensive framework for how hospitals can prevent, detect, and respond to fire incidents, with a focus on patient safety, particularly those in ICUs and other intensive care units (such as NICUs, PICUs, and operating rooms) who cannot evacuate on their own.The revised guidance goes beyond earlier building-level specifications to introduce a hospital-specific safety framework with clear accountability, mandatory risk audits and detailed evacuation protocols for critical care areas, gaps that had not previously been addressed uniformly.The guidance comes amid a nationwide push for fire safety, with the center observing Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10 and urging states and health care organizations to reassess preparedness, conduct audits and strengthen response systems.The document states that hospitals are particularly vulnerable due to high oxygen consumption, complex electrical systems and immobile patients, with electrical faults considered a leading cause of fires in healthcare facilities.Under the new framework, hospitals must carry out regular fire risk assessments, develop fire safety plans and conduct annual fire and electrical safety audits. Facilities are also required to list ICUs, NICUs, PICUs, operating rooms, oxygen storage areas and electrical rooms as high-risk areas that require stricter monitoring.The guidelines require each hospital to appoint a dedicated fire safety officer and establish a fire safety committee responsible for preparation, training and coordination with local fire departments. Staff will undergo regular training and simulation exercises to ensure preparedness in the event of an emergency.With a focus on early detection and rapid response, hospitals are required to install and maintain fire alarms, sprinklers, hydrant systems and smoke control mechanisms, and provide round-the-clock monitoring.Given the risks involved in transferring critically ill patients, detailed evacuation plans prioritized horizontal evacuation – moving patients to safer areas on the same floor.Officials are also pushing for greater compliance, including regular reporting on fire safety audits and broader advocacy efforts, as part of efforts to build a culture of safety in healthcare facilities. The aim is to make preparedness the norm, reduce the risk of major incidents and ensure continuity of care in emergencies.