Howard University Hospital fire, Washington, D.C.--successful construction and reactions prevent fatalities.

Abstract

If the arsonist who set fire to the fourth floor of this hospital intended to destroy the whole hospital, his plans were foiled by the hospital's lifesafety systems and the quick action of the hospital staff. Corridor smoke detectors activated the building fire alarm system, notified the hospital fire brigade and staff, notified the fire department, and closed the corridor smokestop doors. Members of the staff immediately closed the doors to all patient rooms in the area of the fire that were exposed to smoke and heat, and then began evacuating patients from the area. There were no fatalities in this fire. Although this fire is four years old, we think it is worth studying for its contrasts with Mississauga.