Poly Clinic fails key fire safety tests

Serious deficiencies in fire safety arrangements have been identified at the federal capital's major public hospital, Poly Clinic, with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) declaring the situation a "hazard alert". A CDA fire safety audit found that several basic facilities required for fire prevention and dealing with emergencies were absent at the hospital. The CDA has directed the Poly Clinic administration to immediately fulfil all fire and life safety requirements. According to documents, the CDA conducted a fire safety audit of Poly Clinic Hospital on August 27, 2026, identifying 46 different fire safety requirements that needed to be implemented. The audit found several key and basic fire safety arrangements missing and also expressed concern over the incomplete implementation of recommendations contained in previous fire safety audit reports and correspondence. According to the CDA audit report, Poly Clinic has no hose reels, wet risers or yard hydrants, while the hospital building also lacks an automatic sprinkler system. A fire alarm and automatic smoke and fire detection system are also unavailable. The audit further identified the absence of a fire pump set and a dedicated underground water storage tank for firefighting. The report said arrangements for access by fire engines in the event of a fire emergency were also inadequate. Proper emergency exit routes were found to be lacking in various parts of the hospital, while arrangements and procedures for safe evacuation during emergencies needed further improvement. According to the CDA, the condition of electrical wiring at Poly Clinic was extremely poor from a fire safety perspective and could pose a serious risk during an emergency. The hospital also lacks a fire control room, while emergency lighting and emergency exit signs have not been installed adequately. The audit identified inadequate fire safety protection for the generator and transformer rooms. It also found that the hospital lacked necessary fire doors and fire compartmentation to prevent the spread of fire between different sections. The CDA audit further declared arrangements for the proper maintenance of fire safety equipment and staff training inadequate. The authority directed the hospital administration to improve safety arrangements for handling oxygen and other gases and prepare a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for safe evacuation. The CDA also directed the administration to appoint fire wardens and provide regular fire safety and emergency response training to staff. The hospital administration has been ordered to immediately complete all required fire and life safety measures. According to the documents, the CDA declared the existing situation at Poly Clinic a "hazard alert" because the required fire safety measures had not been adequately implemented. The authority made it clear that the administration must address not only deficiencies identified in the latest audit but also fully comply with directions contained in previous fire safety audit reports and related correspondence.