Fire Safety in all ESI Establishments-reg. (English)

F.No. Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD Dated: 15-10-2025 To,   All Addl. Commissioner/Regional Directors, Regional Offices   All MS, ESIC Hospitals/ Model Hospitals/ Super Specialty Hospitals,   All Deans, ESIC Medical/Dental/Paramedical Colleges,   All Directors/Jt. Director I/c/ Deputy Director l/c, Sub-Regional Offices,   Directors (Medical) Delhi/Noida, Subject: Fire Safety in all ESI Establishments-reg. Reference: (1) This office even Letter dated 08.05.2025 and 24.01.2025 (2) Previous instructions issued by ESIC Hqrs vide letter dated: 05.06.2024, 31.05.2024, 19.01.2024, 26.06.2023, 12.08.2021, 15.06.2021, 24.05.2021, 10.05.2021, 13.08.2019, 01.08.2019, 08.04.2019, 01.01.2019 and 28.12.2018 regarding Fire safety compliances (3) Comprehensive Guidelines for adherence to compliances in respect of Fire Safety vide letter dated 29.02.2024 Sir/Madam,  It is reiterated that strict adherence to fire and electrical safety protocols in all ESIC establishments is of utmost importance, especially in light of the recent tragic fire incident that occurred on 5th October 2025 in the Trauma ICU of SMS Hospital, Jaipur, which resulted in the loss of at least eight lives. The preliminary findings indicate that an electrical short circuit was the likely cause, compounded by inadequate emergency response, lack of staff preparedness, and non-functional fire safety infrastructure. It may also be recalled that the unfortunate fire tragedy at ESIC Hospital, Andheri, on 17th December 2018, was another major setback, and ESIC continues to make concerted efforts to restore the facility to full functionality. In view of these incidents, all field units are directed to: 1. Ensure immediate identification and rectification of any faults in electrical and fire safety systems. 2. Renew all mandatory fire safety NOCs and certificates without delay. 3. Conduct periodic, documented inspections and mock drills for staff awareness and readiness. 4. Maintain clear access to emergency exits and ensure functionality of alarms, extinguishers, and evacuation routes. 5. Strict compliance is required to prevent recurrence of such tragedies and to safeguard the lives of patients, staff, and visitors. 6. All concerned authorities are directed to ensure strict compliance with Fire Safety Measures, particularly addressing risks arising from electrical faults, short circuits, and system overloading. Immediate steps must be taken to Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD I/3147121/2025 conduct “Anti-Fire Drives”, including awareness campaigns, inspections, fire mock drills, and regular follow-up reviews in all ESI establishments. 7. It must be ensured that Fire Alarm and Fire-Fighting Equipment remain in optimal working condition under valid AMC/CMC contracts for timely maintenance. Any faults or deficiencies in the existing electrical or fire safety systems shall be rectified without delay in coordination with the Engineering staff. 8. Further, all units shall ensure that the Fire NOC is valid and up to date. In case of expiry, immediate revalidation must be initiated to maintain full regulatory compliance and safeguard lives and property. 9. All shortfall works related to fire safety, AMC /CMC of Fire fighting system installed shall be carried-out after due verification and obtaining technical sanction at the appropriate level by the concerned Engineers as per GFR/CVC/CPWD norms and direction issued by hqrs. time to time, so as to ensure that all ESI buildings are made fully fire compliant. 10. All field units are requested to report the action taken and compliance status to ESIC Headquarters within 15 days from the date of issuance of this letter, as per the attached Annexure-A. The status report (including of all State run hospitals) shall be compiled at the Regional Office (RO) level in respect of all ESIC-owned buildings and submitted to Headquarters accordingly, and thereafter be submitted on a quarterly basis in a regular manner. These issues with the approval of the competent authority. Encl.:- As above Yours Faithfully, (S.S. Mandal) Lt. Col. Chief Engineer Copy to:- (1) PPS to DG- for information Please. (2) All Zonal Medical Commissioners - for information, coordination and proper monitoring including of ESIS Hospitals. (3) All Zonal Insurance Commissioners (Hqrs./All Zones) for information, coordination and proper monitoring. (4) All EE/AEE/AE/JEs posted in Regional Offices/Hospitals/Medical Colleges for kind information with strict direction for taking immediate action in respect of Fire Safety Compliances as above as per extant instructions issued by HQ. and submit consolidated action taken report in respect of all ESIC/ESIC hospital & Colleges in the region. (5) Sh. Rahul Yadv, AE, Hqrs office- For information and compilation of regional status reports on regular basis. (6) Website Content Manager, Hqrs office for uploading on ESIC website. Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD I/3147121/2025 Chief Engineer Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD I/3147121/2025 Annexure-A Sub: -Status of Fire NOC/Fire Safety Norms in ESIC owned buildings like Hospitals & Offices Establishments Name of State (Regional Offices):-………………. Note: - Status report shall be approved by head of the institutions before forwarding it to Hqrs. Signed By:- Name of Engineer: Designation:- (Not bellow the rank of AE) Sr. No. Name of ESIC/ESIS / Hospitals/DCBO, and RO/SROs/BOs/ Staff Quarters etc. Status of Final Fire NOC /Part Final Fire NOC,( If any) status Action taken of fire NOC obtaining/ Re-validation Status of Fire Mock Drill Status of AMC/CAMC of complete Fire Fighting system installed ( Name of Fire agency with period ) Fire Fighting SR works undertaken , if any with present status Name of agency Fire Fighting SR works ( If any SR works undertaken) Remark ( if any) 1. 2. _____________________________________________________________________________ Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD                  Dated:  8.5.2025 To,   All Addl. Commissioner/Regional Directors, Regional Offices   All MS, ESIC Hospitals/ Model Hospitals/ Super Specialty Hospitals,   All Medical Superintendents ESIS Hospitals, All Deans, ESIC Medical/Dental/Paramedical Colleges,   All Directors/Jt. Director I/c/ Deputy Director l/c, Sub-Regional Offices,  Directors (Medical) Delhi/Noida, Subject: Fire Safety in all ESI Establishments-reg. Reference: (1) This office even Letter dated 24-01-2025 (2) Previous instructions issued by ESIC Hqrs vide letter dated: 05.06.2024, 31.05.2024, 19.01.2024, 26.06.2023, 12.08.2021, 15.06.2021, 24.05.2021, 10.05.2021, 13.08.2019, 01.08.2019, 08.04.2019, 01.01.2019 and 28.12.2018 regarding Fire safety compliances (3) Comprehensive Guidelines for adherence to compliances in respect of Fire Safety vide letter dated 29.02.2024 Sir/Madam,    Kindly refer to the captioned subject and the above mentioned letters regarding the prevention, preparedness and mitigation against fire accidents. It is also to inform that continuous directives in regard to the Fire Safety have been issued from time to time (copies enclosed). This office has also issued the comprehensive guidelines for adherence to compliances in respect of Fire Safety vide letter dated 29.02.2024 (copy enclosed).    In this continuation, it is kindly requested to take necessary action to ensure Fire Safety Compliances, especially for the summer season, when Electrical faults and Short circuits, overheating etc. are prone to frequent fault due to increased load on existing Electrical systems. Therefore, All concerned authorities must ensure to conduct an "anti fire drive"(to initiatives aimed at preventing fires and improving fire safety which includes various activities like awareness campaigns, inspections, and the implementation of fire safety equipment)and follow-up reviews at regular intervals to ensure the proper implementation of these critical safety measure & conduct fire mock drills in all ESI establishment for awareness of fire safety. 11-W/fire-Sealdah/westBengal/2024/PMD I/2519236/2025   It is also essential to ensure that all Fire Alarm and Fire Fighting Equipments are good efficient working condition & should be covered under AMC/CMC contracts at all times for timely maintenance without failure on regular basis. Any faults, malfunctions, or outdated fire safety infrastructure in existing Electrical system must be identified and rectified with the support of available Engineers without any delay to eliminate potential fire hazards and to safeguard lives and property in respect of all ESI establishments under jurisdiction in region. Additionally, all units must ensure that the Fire No-objection Certificate (NOC) is renewed & should be in placed. If validity of Fire NOC is expired , immediate steps must be taken to obtain revalidation the same to comply with fire safety regulations.  This is for information and mandatory compliance for their offices as well for the offices/hospitals/buildings for which they are responsible for maintenance.  This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.