KEM, Nair hospitals set to get advanced firefighting systems

Mumbai: With the city having witnessed a spate of fire incidents recently, the BMC has decided to set up an aerosol firefighting system at both King Edward Memorial (KEM) and Nair hospitals.

A senior official from the civic engineering and electrical department said, “The fire brigade has given a green signal to set up an aerosol firefighting system at KEM and Nair hospitals. The system will be set up near electrical installations and in cabins of both hospitals.”

An aerosol firefighting system is an advanced system where dry chemicals are directly aimed at the flame. The aerosol employs a fire extinguishing agent comprising very fine solid particles and gaseous matter to extinguish fires and therefore, it is more effective regardless of the location and height of the blaze.

Civic officials are of the view that KEM and Nair are two of the city’s major hospitals frequented by thousands of patients and their relatives, not to mention hospital employees. As most of the buildings in the hospital premises have big electrical installations and cabins, there is a crying need to install firefighting systems as safety measure. Pramod Rane, a resident of Lower Parel welcomed the move saying, “Fire incidents are growing in Mumbai. Hence, the decision to set up an advanced firefighting system at KEM and Nair hospitals is a welcome one. It will ensure safety of thousands of people, who visit these hospitals every day.”

The contract for setting up an aerosol firefighting system at KEM and Nair hospitals has been allotted to Mac Enterprises for Rs 1.45 crore.