Fire safety in health care facilities.

Abstract

All healthcare facilities must have a plan for the protection of all persons on their premises and for their evacuation from the building in case of fire. Written copies of this plan must be available to all supervisory personnel. All employees must periodically trained and informed of their duties in implementing the plan. All beds must be easily movable should evacuation be necessary. Emphasis should be placed on moving patients who are in he room of fire origin and others who are directly exposed to the fire, and on maintaing in their rooms the patients who are not immediately threatened during the fire. Fire exist drills must include actual transmission of a fire alarm signal alongwith a simulation of a fire alarm signal alongwith a simulation of a fire alarm signal alongwith a simulation of a fire condition. Quarterly drills on all shifts are required. All personnel including administrative staff, maintenance personnel and internal must be trained, as well as the nurses on duty each shift. A minimum of 12 drills must behold each year. All employees must be instructed in life safety procedures and use of devices.