Critical Success Factors in the Development of a Holistic Fire Safety Management Model and its Implementation Strategy in Public Hospitals

Effective fire safety management in public hospitals protects patients, staff, and resources. Despite existing regulations, comprehensive systems are often lacking. This study highlights five critical factors for a holistic fire safety model: awareness and training, infrastructure and prevention systems, compliance with safety standards, technology integration, and management support. Infrastructure and prevention systems are most significant, emphasising the need for up-to-date fire suppression equipment and clear escape routes. Awareness and training are areas needing improvement, particularly in conducting frequent fire drills and enhancing staff preparedness. Compliance with safety standards in public hospitals improved from 60% in 2018 to 80% in 2023, but still falls short of the 83% international benchmark. Integrating smart technologies, such as IoT-based fire detection and AI-driven risk analysis, offers promising advancements for safety. Strong institutional commitment and embedding fire safety into hospital policy are also crucial for fostering a culture of preparedness. A multi-layered approach that combines regulations, ongoing training, and technological innovation is essential for resilient healthcare facilities. The study provides actionable insights for stakeholders aiming to enhance fire safety governance. It encourages further research comparing public and private hospitals and the long-term effects of smart fire safety solutions.