Nagpur: As many as 94 hospitals in Nagpur city were found operating from buildings where the use of the premises for running hospitals had not been sanctioned, prompting the fire department to write to the respective NMC zone offices and town planning officials to initiate action. The findings have emerged in a citywide fire-safety assessment conducted in the aftermath of the Amravati hospital fire that claimed the lives of three newborn babies.The fire department assessed 484 hospitals, of which 93 are under construction. The assessment found that 121 hospitals were functioning without the mandatory fire department No Objection Certificate (NOC), while 366 had obtained the requisite approval.The department has initiated action under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act against 265 hospitals. Three hospitals were shut during the enforcement exercise.The assessment also revealed gaps even among hospitals where fire-safety arrangements were available. As many as 327 hospitals were found compliant with fire-safety requirements, while 33 had arrangements that were present but insufficient. Fire officials said deficiencies included inadequate capacity of mandatory firefighting water tanks and emergency staircases that were narrower than prescribed norms at some hospitals.The finding of 94 hospitals operating from buildings without sanctioned use has now shifted the issue beyond fire safety to building and town planning violations. Fire officials have written to the respective NMC zone offices and town planning department officials, seeking necessary action against such establishments.The findings assume significance following the Amravati tragedy, which has brought renewed scrutiny on fire preparedness in hospitals. Healthcare facilities pose a heightened risk during emergencies as many patients may be unable to evacuate independently, and some may be dependent on oxygen, ventilators or other life-support systems.Under Section 6 of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, fire authorities can inspect buildings, identify deficiencies in firefighting and life-safety arrangements, and direct owners or occupiers to rectify them. The action taken against 265 hospitals indicates the extent of enforcement undertaken by the department.The assessment also highlights that possession of a fire NOC does not necessarily mean all safety requirements are complied with. Fire officials said hospitals with inadequate arrangements would have to rectify the deficiencies as per prescribed norms.With 94 hospitals now referred to civic zone and town planning authorities for action over unauthorised building use, the fire department’s assessment could trigger a wider scrutiny of whether healthcare establishments are operating from premises legally sanctioned for hospital use.Box: Hospital Fire Audit at a Glance484: Hospitals assessed93: Hospitals under construction366: Hospitals with Fire NOC121: Hospitals without Fire NOC327: Hospitals found compliant33: Hospitals with inadequate fire-safety arrangements265: Hospitals against which action initiated94: Hospitals running in buildings with sanction violations/unauthorised use3: Hospitals shut down
