Identification and evaluation of factors affecting fire risk in the intensive care unit of a hospital

Hospitals are vital centers. The presence of vulnerable people, and precious equipment has increased their vulnerability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of fire and to identify the factors affecting the risk of fire in one of the high-risk wards of the hospital.

This cross-sectional study was performed using fire risk assessment method for engineering in the ICU of one of the hospitals in Qazvin. Fire risk was calculated using the related equations in EXCEL software and contributed each of the factors. Ethical considerations such as confidentiality of individuals’ information, employing experts in the research process and the neutrality of researchers in collecting, analyzing and reporting data and information were observed in this research.

The numerical value of risk for the building, residents and activities were 0.815, 2.308 and 1.055, respectively, and was at an unacceptable level in area of ​​residents and activities. Elevation (26.80%), fire spread (16.80%), fire load (12.73%) and accessibility (4.76%) were the factors that had the greatest impact on risk level and the first three in each of the two areas were common.

There are factors in fire risk that have the largest share of participation, so identifying and controlling these root causes can achieve an inherently safer hospital at a lower cost, especially in the design phase of the hospital. It is recommended to use specialized fire risk assessments along with the results of accreditation and patient safety.