How to manage and mitigate hospital fires risks: Don’t miss John Lynch at the 2023 IHEA National Conference
Safety is a critical consideration within the healthcare sector. While patients and healthcare workers are focused on treating health issues, illnesses and injuries, the healthcare environment is equally challenging in addressing health and safety risks. For example, a significant risk that hospitals and health facilities face is fire, which can have a catastrophic impact. An uncontrollable fire in a healthcare facility can easily lead to loss of life and injuries to patients and staff if not managed appropriately, not to mention the expense and impact that the loss of an essential facility and medical equipment could cause should it be damaged by fire.
Fires can occur due to various reasons, including human error or a natural environmental event, and can result in devastating consequences, particularly in high-risk areas such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rooms, operating theatres, and laboratories where flammable materials and gases are stored. Electrical faults in switchboards and open flames from commercial kitchen facilities can also lead to fire hazards. If a fire breaks out, the evacuation of vulnerable and immobile patients can be complicated and hazardous.
In Australia, chief executives, owners, operators, and board members of private and public hospitals and healthcare organisations are accountable for maintaining a secure environment for employees, patients, and the public. However, installing an appropriate fire protection system tailored to specific health environments is a complex and costly process that necessitates careful planning and expertise.
Given the significance of fire protection in healthcare facilities, Wormald’s general manager of business services, John Lynch, will be speaking at the 2023 IHEA National Conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
- Topic: Code Red: Considerations for managing and mitigating fire risks in hospitals
- Date: Tuesday, May 30
- Time: 11:00am – 11:20am
Attendees will learn about key safety considerations for those responsible for hospital and health facilities, including:
- Ongoing maintenance of fire protection systems to verify that they will operate to their approved design.
- False alarm management: managing false alarms and isolations o rimpariments to fire systems.
- Specialised training solutions for different medical departments and needs: customising fire and emergency response training to meet the unique requirements of each medical department and the patients they serve.
- Protecting data rooms and servers: safeguarding critical data stored in hospitals and ensuring that they remain operational during and after a fire incident.
- Managing fire system upgrades: keeping up with technological advancements and ensuring that fire protection systems are regularly serviced, maintained, and upgraded to meet the changing needs of healthcare facilities.
John will also share insights on how hospitals and healthcare providers can build resilience into a fire safety culture, such as conducting regular risk assessments, emergency planning, training and education, and maintenance and testing of emergency systems.
The 2023 IHEA National Conference is the premier event for healthcare professionals across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. This year’s conference features an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, technical tours of Adelaide’s state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, and a diverse range of technical presentations.
With the risks associated with fires in hospitals and healthcare facilities, it’s more important than ever to ensure appropriate fire protection systems are in place. Healthcare professionals and attendees can gain valuable knowledge and learn from industry leaders, including John, at this year’s event.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network with peers, learn about the latest trends in fire safety, and enhance your skills and knowledge. Register now to secure your spot or find out how Wormald can manage your facility’s fire protection systems by contacting our team directly on 133 166.
