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File no.Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD (328623) date:-#Approved Date#
To,
All Medical Superintendents,
ESIC Hospitals/Model Hospitals/Super Specialty Hospitals.
All Deans,
ESIC Medical/Dental/Paramedical Colleges,
All RDs./Regional offices
All SROs I/c- SROs
Subject: Strengthening of Fire Safety preparedness, emergency
response systems and statutory compliances in ESIC Healthcare
Institutions – reg.
Ref.:- (i) MoHFW D.O. No. Z.28015/06/2025-DMCell dated 17.04.2026
regarding observance of “Fire Safety Week 2026”.
(ii) ESIC Hqrs. letter No. Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD dated 06.02.2026
regarding Fire Safety Compliance for all ESI Establishments- Review of
Actions & Preventive Measures.
Sir/Madam,
Kindly refer to ESIC Headquarters letter dated 06.02.2026 and
earlier instructions issued from time to time regarding mandatory
compliance of Fire and Life Safety measures in all ESIC establishments
(copy enclosed for reference). However, Fire & Life Safety Compliance
Reports from most of the Institutions/Hospitals/RO Offices are still yet to
be received. Concerned offices are requested to submit the same at the
earliest for further necessary compilation.
In
this
context,
attention
is
also
invited
to
D.O.
No.
Z.28015/06/2025-DMCell dated 17.04.2026 issued by the Secretary,
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India regarding the
observance of ‘Fire Safety Week 2026’ in healthcare facilities across the
country in coordination with the Directorate General Fire Services, Civil
Defence & Home Guards, Ministry of Home Affairs.( Copy enclosed)
The theme prescribed for the observance is as under:-
“Safe School, Safe Hospital & Fire Safety Aware Society-
Together for Fire Prevention.”
Since, the matter of fire and life safety in hospitals is of utmost
importance, particularly in healthcare institutions where critically ill,
vulnerable, elderly, neonatal and bedridden patients are dependent
upon uninterrupted medical care and timely emergency response
Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD
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systems.
Any
lapse
in
fire
prevention,
detection,
evacuation
preparedness or emergency management may lead to irreparable loss of
precious human lives, disruption of healthcare services and damage to
vital public infrastructure.
Recent fire incidents in healthcare facilities across the country
have highlighted the serious risks arising out of electrical faults, short
circuits, overloading, non-functional fire detection/suppression systems,
blocked evacuation routes and inadequate preparedness. Such incidents
necessitate continuous vigilance, strict adherence to fire safety norms
and proactive institutional preparedness at every level.
In this regard, all Medical Superintendents, Deans and Heads of
Institutions are requested to accord TOP MOST PRIORITY to fire and
life safety compliances and ensure that comprehensive preventive,
preparedness and mitigation measures are implemented without any
delay as per the direction issued by hqrs. office time to time.
Accordingly, the following actions shall be now ensured by all
concerned institutions including all ROs, SROs, DCBOs, BOs etc.:-
1. Fire Safety Assessment & Audit:- Fire Safety Assessment and
internal
fire
safety
audit
shall
be
undertaken/completed
immediately, wherever not already conducted, strictly as per the
updated Fire Safety Assessment Checklist circulated by MoHFW.
2. Rectification of Deficiencies: - All deficiencies/discrepancies
observed during fire safety audit/inspection shall be rectified on
priority
basis
under
the
supervision
of
competent
authorities/engineering officials. No deficiency affecting fire and life
safety shall remain unattended.
3. Validity of Fire NOC/Certificates:- Validity/status of Fire Safety
NOC/Certificates issued by competent Fire Authorities shall be
reviewed immediately. Wherever expired or nearing expiry,
necessary action for renewal/revalidation shall be initiated on
priority basis.
4. Functional Readiness of Fire Protection Systems: - It shall be
ensured that all fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, hydrants,
sprinklers, hose reels, fire extinguishers, fire pumps, suppression
systems and emergency lighting arrangements remain fully
functional and covered under valid AMC/CMC arrangements for
regular maintenance and testing.
5. Electrical
Fire
Safety:- (i) Comprehensive inspection of all
electrical
systems/installations
shall
be
undertaken
as
per
applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code (NEC) to
identify and rectify electrical fire hazards such as overheating,
overloading, loose connections, short circuits and unsafe wiring.
(ii) Special attention shall be given to ICUs, OTs, laboratories,
hostels and other critical care areas to ensure electrical safety,
proper load management and prevention of fire risks due to
unauthorized or unsafe electrical appliances/installations.
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(iii) Preventive maintenance, testing and servicing of all MEP
systems/equipment shall be mandatorily ensured under Annual
Repair & Maintenance (ARM) works,& AMC/CMC services as per
GFR provision only, as applicable. The same shall be carried out
and
strictly
monitored
only
by
competent
Electrical
Engineers/authorized technical personnel to ensure compliance,
safe operation and prevention of electrical and fire safety hazards.
6. Means of Escape & Evacuation Preparedness:- Corridors,
staircases, fire exits, ramps, refuge areas and evacuation routes
shall remain free from obstruction/storage at all times. Emergency
evacuation plans and signage shall be prominently displayed and
periodically reviewed.
7. Fire Mock Drills & Capacity Building: - Regular fire evacuation
mock drills, awareness programmes and staff sensitization/training
programmes shall be conducted involving doctors, nursing staff,
paramedics, housekeeping, security and other support staff, with
proper documentation and corrective follow-up action.
8. Critical Areas & Medical Gas Safety: - Special attention shall be
given to ICUs, NICUs, OTs, oxygen manifold rooms, medical gas
pipeline systems, HVAC systems, DG sets, electrical rooms and
other high-risk areas from fire safety perspective.
9. Monitoring
&
Institutional
Responsibility:-
Institutional
mechanisms
for
regular
monitoring/review
of
fire
safety
preparedness shall be strengthened. Concerned Engineering,
Administration, Security and Housekeeping Wings shall work in
close coordination to ensure full compliance of prescribed safety
norms.
10. Action Taken Report:- A consolidated Action Taken Report
indicating present status of fire safety preparedness, validity of Fire
NOC, details of audits/mock drills conducted, deficiencies identified
and corrective measures undertaken may be submitted to
Headquarters within 15 days from issuance of this letter stipulated
time for review and monitoring purposes.
11. Documentation of Activities:- Photographs/videos of awareness
activities, mock drills and other initiatives undertaken in connection
with Fire Safety may also be documented and disseminated
through official communication/social media channels, as advised
by MoHFW.
12. All Heads of Institutions shall personally ensure strict compliance of
the above directions and maintain continuous oversight on fire and
life safety preparedness. Any lapse, negligence, delay or deficiency
in implementation of prescribed safety measures shall be treated
seriously and attract accountability.
The matter may be treated as MOST URGENT.
This issue with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD
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Encl: As above.
Your Faithfully
MANISH KUMAR SAHU
EXECUTIVE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Copy to:-
1. PPS to DG - for information please.
2. O/o JS(AP), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Shram Shakti
Bhawan- for information please (Through Email) .
3. O/o DDG, Disaster Management Cell, Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, New Delhi -for information please. (Through Email)
4. All Zonal Medical Commissioners- for information, coordination and
effective monitoring, including all State-run Hospitals.
5. All
Zonal
Insurance
Commissioners
(Hqrs./All
Zones)-for
information, coordination and effective monitoring.
6. All EEs/AEEs/AEs/JEs posted in Regional Offices/Hospitals/Medical
Colleges- for information and strict compliance/action please.
7. Website Content Manager, Hqrs. Office- for uploading on ESIC
website.
(Chief Engineer I/C)
Pt.W-11/12/1/MISC/2017-PMD
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