Evaluation of fire protection systems in Municipal and Provincial Public Hospitals of Cordoba City

Abstract

This article summarises investigative work carried out for a thesis composed for fire protection systems in municipal and provincial public hospitals in Córdoba City, between august and November 2003. Populations were heterogeneous, differing in building structure, complexity, pathologies attendedand administrative jurisdiction. Planning, organization, coordination of prevention strategies and response, design and construction were evaluated using observation and cheek lists, whilst questionnaires and interviewswere used primarily for the execution of said plans in the case of a fire. With respect to the twelve hospitals studied, results showed a predominant use of fire retardant structural but not non-structural material, compartmentalization in only two hospitals, and inseven hospitals, adequate corridors for evacuation. Only four hospitals had stairs with sufficient capacity, but these lacked pressurization system. Acomplete lack of sign posting was evidenced and only 3 hospitals had emergency lighting. Substancesor materials capable of causing fire or explosion were found in the storage rooms of seven of the hospitals. Nine of the analyzed hospitals lacked sufficient fire extinguishers and hoses, three had automatic fire detection systems and only one of these included a sprinkler system. The investigation also demonstrated that one third of the hospitals studied had a disasters committee in place, but only three of these were fully functional. Just one hospital has a fire prevention training scheme. None of the studied hospitals has a human fire detection or extinction team. Only one hospital had an emergency plan in place. In conclusion the following changes are proposed: methods of fire protection should be considered when constructing or remodeling hospital buildings, safe areas should be sought and used forstorage of hazardous substances and materials, emergency exits with adequate lighting and signposting should be set up, the most adept get economically viable fire protection systems should be implemented including functionary disaster committees in all hospitals at the earliest available copportunity, a fire training programme consisting of fire prevention and extinction should be carried out and emergency plans should be put in place by disaster committees.