Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has declined to renew fire safety certificates for two prominent hospitals in the city — AIIMS and Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital — following several violations discovered during inspections.Fire officials reported that at the AIIMS convergence block, they found locked basement escape stairs, corridors blocked by storage cabinets, and improperly sealed electrical shafts. Moreover, missing lift signage and accumulated waste materials on the terrace were identified as safety risks.In a correspondence dated May 6 to the AIIMS administration, DFS director Atul Garg detailed violations in the dining block, including unsealed electrical shafts, non-functioning basement smoke exhaust systems, inoperable first-aid hose reels, faulty automatic fire detection systems, non-operational manual electrical call points, and incomplete sprinkler coverage. The inspection also revealed missing hoses in internal and external hydrant boxes, alongside ongoing lift installation work.Based on the findings, the fire department rejected the renewal application and instructed the institute to address these deficiencies before further consideration.“All requisite inspections, checks and compliances for renewal of the safety certificate have been completed. We expect to receive the renewed fire safety certificate within this week,” said AIIMS chief security officer Digvijay Singh.Prof Rima Dada, in-charge, AIIMS media cell, said, “All these procedures take time and we should be getting the clearance very soon.”At Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, Pitampura, run by Delhi govt, inspectors found lift lobby pressurisation systems had been removed and fresh air fans and ducts dismantled. Officials warned that operating without proper fire safety measures would be at the owner’s risk and liability. Fire authorities stressed that operations should cease until all deficiencies are corrected and safety measures are properly restored.Dr Manoj Kumar, medical superintendent, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, said he had sought a report regarding fire safety issues, and assured swift implementation of safety arrangements.
Mayank Rawat
