Dhruv Patel

Founder & Managing Director,

Shivay fire & life safety (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Plot No 5612 Road No 56,
near Paliwal Police Chowki,
GIDC, Sachin, Surat,
Gujarat, India-394520.

Dear Editor-in-Chief,
I am writing to submit our research paper titled "Oxygen Enrichment and Fire
Hazards in Healthcare Environments during the COVID-19 Pandemic" for
consideration in your journal. We believe our study addresses a critical issue with
significant implications for healthcare safety during these challenging times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed tremendous strain on healthcare systems
worldwide, resulting in hospitals working tirelessly to provide care. However, the
pandemic has also introduced an array of challenges, including a heightened risk of
fire hazards.
One of the less-discussed but critical fire hazards in healthcare settings is oxygen
enrichment, a phenomenon where the oxygen concentration exceeds the normal
atmospheric level of 20.9%. This can occur when patients receive medical-grade
oxygen, containing 95% pure oxygen, and exhale it into enclosed spaces, leading to
the build up of oxygen in the atmosphere.
Our research delves into the implications of oxygen enrichment and its relation to
fire risk. Even a slight increase in oxygen concentration can significantly elevate the
risk of fires, as acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have witnessed a substantial increase in
the use of medical-grade oxygen due to the oxygen therapy required by many
COVID-19 patients. Consequently, this surge in oxygen use has amplified the risk of
oxygen enrichment in healthcare settings.

Our research team conducted extensive measurements of oxygen levels in patient

rooms across various healthcare facilities during the pandemic. Shockingly, our
findings revealed that oxygen levels in some patient rooms exceeded the safety
threshold of 23.5%. This raises concerns that oxygen enrichment may have
contributed to hospital fires during the COVID-19 era, potentially acting as a catalyst
in conjunction with other factors such as electrical short circuits and smoking.
We are convinced that our research underscores the significance of addressing the
potential risks associated with oxygen enrichment in healthcare environments.
Hospitals need to take proactive measures to mitigate this overlooked fire hazard, a
notion at the core of our recommendations:
1. Continuously monitor oxygen levels in patient rooms.
2. Regularly maintain oxygen delivery systems.
3. Improve ventilation systems in oxygen therapy areas.
4. Provide fire prevention training for staff.
5. Educate patients and their families about the risks of oxygen enrichment and fire
safety.
6. Develop and practice fire evacuation plans for oxygen therapy areas.
Furthermore, we recommend additional considerations to enhance safety:
1. Prohibit smoking in all areas of the hospital, including patient rooms.
2. Reinforce patient and family education on the risks of oxygen enrichment and fire
safety.
3. Develop a comprehensive fire evacuation plan for oxygen therapy areas and
ensure regular staff training and practice.
We believe that the publication of our research in your journal will contribute
significantly to the existing body of knowledge in healthcare safety and fire
prevention. We look forward to the opportunity to share our findings and
recommendations with the broader scientific community

Thank you for considering our submission. We would be pleased to provide any
additional information or clarification as needed. Please contact us at
[info@shivays.com] or [+91-9736-101-101] for further correspondence.

Sincerely,
Dhruv Patel.