Sindh orders private schools to tighten fire safety rules after PIMS tragedy
Schools must conduct fire evacuation drills twice a year; staff must receive training in fire emergency response
On Thursday, the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department mandated all privately operated schools in the province to immediately put into effect a comprehensive set of fire safety regulations, in response to the tragic loss of 14 newborns in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The directives were released the day following a fire that erupted on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS, with fifteen newborns present in the ward at the time.
Fourteen of the infants sustained severe burns and ultimately perished, while a single child survived the ordeal.
The deaths have reignited discussions surrounding fire safety protocols at healthcare facilities, encompassing the presence of firefighting equipment, emergency exits, and hospitals' readiness to handle such emergencies. On January 26, the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions issued a notification making the measures mandatory, emphasizing their goal of preventing "any untoward occurrence" and safeguarding the "safety, security and well-being" of students, teachers, and staff.
Under the new directive, schools are required to have "fully functional fire alarms, smoke detectors, and appropriate fire extinguishers" installed on every floor and at critical locations, with equipment needing regular testing, servicing, and maintenance to ensure constant operability. Additionally, schools must ensure that "emergency exits, staircases, and escape routes" remain unlocked, clearly marked, well-lit, and unobstructed to facilitate swift evacuation.
Electrical wiring, switchboards, laboratories, kitchens, generator rooms, and other high-risk areas must undergo "periodic inspection, preventive maintenance, and certification by qualified professionals" to minimize fire and electrical hazards. Schools are also mandated to prominently display updated "fire evacuation plans, floor maps, and emergency instructions" within classrooms, corridors, stairwells, and common areas.
The notification requires schools to conduct fire evacuation drills "at least twice each academic year" and maintain records of the drills, including dates, observations, and any corrective actions taken. Teaching and non-teaching staff must receive regular training in "fire emergency response, evacuation procedures, and basic first aid."
Schools must also establish special arrangements for the safe evacuation of "students with disabilities, preschool children, and other vulnerable groups," designating an assembly point outside the building and requiring attendance checks post-evacuation to ensure everyone's account.
Compliance with applicable fire safety laws and building regulations is also mandated, along with maintaining valid safety certificates and inspection records for verification. Schools are instructed to disseminate the notification among their staff, ensuring its implementation "in letter and spirit." Failure to comply will be treated seriously, with action initiated against schools that fail to adhere to the directives.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
