‘Smoke’ but no fire as aerosol gas triggers alarm at JB hospital

JOHOR BARU: The plumes of smoke in the high voltage room at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) here was caused by a false alarm from the Aerohub Fire Suppression System which caused aerosol gas to be released.

State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the incident in the room located between the main building and the HSA Polyclinic building did not involve casualties or property damage.

“The management of HSA and the concession company have contacted TNB to shut down the electricity supply to the main electricity supply source, in order to carry out further investigations into the cause of the activation of the fire suppression system,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.

Ling said after discussions between the management and engineers of HSA, the concession company and TNB, preliminary steps had been taken to check and identify the cause of the incident.

“TNB will cut off the electricity supply to the main electricity supply source and the concession company will provide a portable generator set during the inspection at the hospital,” he said.

According to Ling, the uninterrupted power supply system and HSA’s standby generator were in good condition and the hospital was working to ensure that services went on smoothly, adding that the security unit was also working together to ensure the location of the incident was safe.

“The hospital management will carry out periodic inspections and patrols to monitor the functioning of the equipment and the electricity and water supply in the facility is in good condition,” he said.

Ling said the management of the hospital together with the concessionaire would improve the outdated or damaged equipment including upgrading the electricity supply system in the hospital as well as ensuring that maintenance activities in the hospital were carried out periodically.

He added that the hospital management would also ensure the safety of all its staff members.

A portal had claimed that a minor fire occurred at HSA at about 9am on Saturday, forcing the temporary closure of operations at the hospital.