Two days after a massive inferno at the ESIC Hospital in Marol killed nine and injured 59, the state-run Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has ordered a probe into shortcomings of implementation of fire safety norms by the ESIC hospital management. The MIDC has given the hospital one week to respond, and has said it may proceed with legal action, including closure of the hospital, if it fails to rectify lapses.
The hospital currently lacks a final fire approval and no objection certificate (NOC), which is mandatory as per provisions of the MIDC Fire and Life Safety Regulations, 2007, and the Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act (Maharashtra), 2009.
"It's mandatory for hospitals in the MIDC area to acquire final fire NOC. MIDC had granted a provisional fire NOC to ESIC for its new building in April 2009 for the construction of a 40,000 sq. metre building. The provisional NOC was later renewed for 44,000 sq. metres in August this year. The hospital had applied for the final NOC a fortnight ago for its under-construction building adjacent to the old structure that caught fire," an MIDC officer said.
He added that the MIDC, during a recent visit to hospital premises, found several shortcomings in fire and safety applications, including automatic fire detection and alarm systems, automatic sprinkler system, smoke stop door and wet risers. Additionally, MIDC also revealed that water supply for fire-fighting purposes, available in the form of an underground static storage tank, was short of the provision. "The domestic suction tank connected to the static water storage tank should have an overflow capable of discharging 2,250 litres of water per minute to a visible drain point. Besides, water available in the form of underground static storage tank with arrangements of replenishment by main or alternative source of supply should be at 1,000 litres per minute," the officer added.
