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Ensuring Fire Safety in Hospitals: Fire Resistance and Electrical Installation

Writer's picture: Anirudh Singh ChauhanAnirudh Singh Chauhan

Ensuring fire safety in hospitals is a critical aspect of healthcare management, as these facilities house vulnerable patients, complex medical equipment, and essential medications. The unique environment of hospitals—with its continuous operation, presence of hazardous materials, and high occupancy rates—necessitates comprehensive fire safety strategies


Understanding the different classes of fires is crucial for implementing effective fire safety measures in hospitals. Each class of fire involves distinct materials and requires specific approaches for extinguishment. Here are the primary classes of fires that may occur in a hospital setting:

  • Class A Fire: These fires involve solid combustible materials of organic nature, such as clothing, bed sheets, curtains, paper, and plastics. Effective firefighting methods for Class A fires typically involve water or foam extinguishers that cool the burning material and prevent re-ignition.

  • Class B Fire: These fires involve flammable liquids, including sanitizers, diesel, petrol, and various laboratory chemicals. Foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide extinguishers are commonly used to smother Class B fires and prevent the spread of flammable vapors.

  • Class C Fire: Fires involving flammable gases under pressure, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). These fires require careful handling, often using dry chemical extinguishers to disrupt the chemical reaction of the fire without causing an explosion.

  • Class D Fire: These fires involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, aluminum, zinc, sodium, and potassium. Specialized dry powder extinguishers are needed to safely put out Class D fires, as they can react violently with water or other common extinguishing agents.

  • Class F Fire: Fires involving cooking oils and fats, which have a high boiling point (greater than 200°C). Water cannot be used on these fires as it can cause the burning oil to splash and spread the fire. Wet chemical extinguishers are specifically designed for Class F fires, as they create a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen, cooling and smothering the flames.

By understanding the different types of fires and the appropriate methods to combat them, hospitals can be better prepared to respond effectively to fire emergencies, ensuring the safety of all occupants.


The unique environment of hospitals—with its continuous operation, presence of hazardous materials, and high occupancy rates—necessitates comprehensive fire safety strategies. According to the National Building Code (NBC) 2016, hospitals are classified under Group C as institutional occupancies, specifically Subdivision C-1, which includes buildings used for housing individuals with physical limitations due to health or age. This classification underscores the importance of stringent fire safety measures, given that these occupants are often incapable of self-preservation.


Hospital buildings should be designed and constructed to ensure that their stability, integrity, and load-bearing capacity are maintained for a reasonable period in the event of a fire. The design and choice of materials are critical in making the building resistant to complete burn-out and preventing the rapid spread of fire, smoke, or fumes. This approach significantly reduces the risk of loss of lives and property. Utilizing fire-resistant materials and incorporating fire-resistant design elements can enhance the safety and resilience of hospital facilities.


In hospital buildings, it is essential to seal openings in fire-resistant walls and floors to prevent the spread of fire and smoke from one area to another. For Type 1 to 3 constructions, doorways or openings in a fire-resistant wall on any floor should be limited to an area of 5.6 square meters, with a maximum height or width of 2.75 meters. Each wall opening must be protected with fire-resistant doors that have a fire rating of at least 120 minutes. Additionally, openings in the floors should be safeguarded by vertical enclosures that extend above and below these openings. These enclosures must also have a fire resistance of no less than 120 minutes, and all openings within them should be protected with a fire-resistant assembly.


Openings in walls or floors which are provided for passage of cables, electrical wirings etc. must be protected by enclosure in the form of ducts / shafts with fire resistance rating of 120 minute. The space between the electrical cables / conduits and walls / slabs must be filled with a fire stop material with fire resistant rating of 120 minutes. The electrical installations in hospital buildings should comply with Regulation No. 5A and 30 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Amendment Regulations, 2015. This ensures that all electrical systems meet stringent safety standards, minimizing the risk of electrical hazards.


Critical electrical cables in hospital buildings must continue to function during a fire, as they provide essential power to ICUs, operation theatres, patient wards, and other areas where continuous patient health monitoring is crucial. To ensure their reliability, these cables should be sufficiently robust and carefully routed to minimize the potential for damage. Physical protection should be provided in areas where cables may be vulnerable. Additionally, the methods used to support these cables should be non-combustible and designed to maintain the integrity of the circuit, ensuring that the cables perform effectively even in the event of a fire.

Medium and low voltage wiring running in shafts and within false ceilings must be enclosed in metal conduits. Additionally, any 230 V wiring for lighting or other services above false ceilings should have 660 V grade insulation. This ensures enhanced safety and protection against electrical hazards.


Electrical installations in hospital buildings must comply with Regulation No. 5A and 30 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Amendment Regulations, 2015. Emergency power, which activates when the main electrical power fails, should be provided to the following equipment and systems:

  • Fire pumps

  • Pressurization and smoke venting systems, including ancillary systems such as dampers and actuators

  • Fireman's lifts

  • Exit signage lighting

  • Emergency lighting

  • Fire alarm systems

  • Public address (PA) systems for emergency voice evacuation and annunciation

  • Magnetic door hold-open devices

  • Lighting in the fire command center and security room

Power supply to these critical systems must be ensured through both normal and emergency power sources with changeover facilities. Additionally, the power supply to the panels or distribution boards for these systems must be routed through fireproof enclosures, circuit integrity cables, or alternative routes in adjoining fire compartments. This setup ensures the reliability and continuous operation of essential safety systems and equipment during emergencies.


Ensuring the fire resistance of hospital buildings and the reliability of electrical installations is paramount to maintaining the safety and security of these critical facilities. By adhering to stringent design and construction standards, such as those outlined in the National Building Code (NBC) 2016, hospitals can significantly reduce the risk of fire spreading and ensure that essential systems remain operational during emergencies. Utilizing fire-resistant materials, robust electrical installations, and effective emergency power systems are crucial steps in safeguarding patients, staff, and property.


Our next blog in this series will delve into the vital role of air conditioning and ventilation systems in hospitals. We will explore how these systems should be designed to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and fumes, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all occupants. Stay tuned for detailed insights on optimizing hospital air handling units (AHUs), strategic placement of fire dampers, and maintaining indoor air quality while enhancing fire safety.

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