Hyderabad Hospitals Under Scanner: Why 230 Failed Fire Safety Checks
HYDERABAD: The Telangana fire department has issued notices to at least 230 hospitals across the city for failing to follow mandatory fire safety norms, especially in buildings taller than 15 metres.
The fire department inspected around 800 hospitals over 10–12 days. All 145 fire stations participated, with each station checking at least one hospital daily. Their goal is to cover 1,400–1,600 government and private facilities.
Major safety gaps uncovered
The inspections revealed serious issues. Many hospitals lacked working fire alarms, smoke detectors, automatic sprinklers, hose reels, and properly serviced fire extinguishers. Emergency exits were blocked or hard to reach. Staff often lacked training, and evacuation plans were incomplete.
Officials are focusing on high-risk areas such as ICUs, Neonatal ICUs, operation theatres, and medical gas storage units. They are also checking fire safety certificates, firefighting systems, and overall emergency readiness.
“During inspections, we often find missing or broken fire extinguishers, non-functional smoke detectors, and poorly maintained alarm panels,” said a senior district fire officer.
The officer added that hospitals sometimes followed unsafe practices. “We saw oxygen cylinders stored in basements and overloaded electrical circuits, which significantly raise fire risks.”
Action plan for violations
Hospitals with major violations may lose NOC renewals and face prosecution under the Telangana Fire Service Act, 1999. Hospitals with minor issues have two weeks to fix them, or authorities will take stricter action.
The department intensified inspections after recent fires. On March 29, a private hospital in Masab Tank caught fire after an air-conditioner reportedly exploded, but no one was hurt. At SCB Medical College Hospital, an electrical short circuit in an ICU caused a fire that killed 12 people. These incidents highlight the urgent need for strict fire safety compliance.
