The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) has refused to renew the fire safety certificate for the trauma building of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital after an inspection uncovered 14 major safety lapses.
The building lapse on severe safety standards, including non-functional fire systems, damaged hydrants and inadequate access for fire tenders. Officials said on Monday that the violations place one of the capital’s busiest government hospitals at serious fire risk.
According to a notice issued on December 4, a DFS team inspected the trauma block on November 14 in the presence of hospital representatives and found that the building failed to meet several mandatory requirements. The most critical lapse noted was the absence of a six-metre-wide motorable road with a nine-metre turning radius needed for the movement of fire tenders. Without this, fire engines cannot reach the structure quickly in an emergency, significantly slowing down rescue operations.
Inspectors also found that the lifts in the building are not protected by designated lift lobbies in the basement. While smoke detectors were installed, none were functional during the inspection. The notice states that the pressurisation system required for lift shafts, lift lobbies and staircases had not been provided, a gap that could allow smoke to fill escape routes during a fire.
The automatic sprinkler system, a critical line of defence in containing fire, was either missing or not working in many areas, including above false ceilings. Hose reels were found to be installed but non-functional, and fire check doors designed to stop the spread of fire and smoke were missing at several locations. DFS officials also reported that the fire pumps had not been set to auto mode, meaning they would not automatically activate if a fire broke out.
The overhead water storage tank, supposed to feed the firefighting system, was discovered to be completely disconnected from it. The tank’s capacity was only 30,000 litres, far below the required 50,000 litres for a building of this scale and purpose.
In addition, temporary structures had been set up on the fifth-floor terrace, and staircases did not extend up to the terrace level as mandated in the building’s sanction plan. Officials said these deviations could obstruct evacuation efforts or hamper fire personnel during rescue operations. Based on these findings, the DFS rejected the hospital’s application for a fire safety certificate. The notice clearly states that continued occupancy of the trauma building without rectifying the shortcomings will be “at the risk and liability of the owner/occupier.”
The trauma wing of RML Hospital handles a high volume of emergency cases daily, and the identified lapses have raised serious concerns about the safety of patients and staff. The hospital has not yet issued a public statement on the notice or indicated when it plans to address the deficiencies.
DFS officials said the hospital must correct all shortcomings and provide proof of compliance before applying again for certification. A fresh inspection will be conducted only after the hospital confirms that all fire safety measures have been brought up to standard.
