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Following the fire department declaring the fire fully extinguished, the Department of Infrastructure Development and Property Management and conducted a visual assessment of what needs to be done.
A decision was made to prop the collapsed slab to allow SAPS to conduct their fire investigation which includes forensic investigations.
Once concluded, Structural Engineers will conduct a thorough condition assessment, provide a report with recommendations on remedial work that is required. This will include structural repairs.
On visual assessment however, the damaged portions will need structural repairing. At this stage we are unable to confirm how long the structural assessment will take and when this process will be conclude. This is due to the fact that the assessment also involves laboratory tests, the results of which will determine the extent of damage and repair work needed to be undertaken.
On Wednesday (21st April 2021) the cleaning of the HVAC system and air ducts commenced inside the entire hospital. Once the cleaning is complete, an air quality test will confirm that the facility is safe for occupation and use. We envisage that this work will be complete sometime during the week next week.
The Department wishes to place on record the current status of the fire protection services in the hospital.
On Fire protection systems:
Fire protection systems such as hydrants, extinguishers, hose reels, are inspected monthly. These were last inspected in March 2021. There is a total of 1003 firefighting equipment, in the hospital area and 50 in the administration block excluding the nurses’ residence and the admin blocks.
These are made up of:
75 Fire Hydrants
295 Hose Reels
575 DCP Fire extinguishers
58 CO2 Distribution points
The Department fully REGRETS the inconvenience this incident has created to patients, the staff and management of Charlotte Maxeke, and the general public. This is why the team is working around the clock to ensure that all processes are complete in order to allow the reopening of the hospital.
Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government
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