Fire & Life Safety Resources

Fire Safety in Operating Rooms and Peri-Operative Areas

Each peri-operative area should have a desginated fire-responder team with defined resposibilities during a fire event.  A chain of command should be in place that includes the person with the authority to manage the event.  Many of the tasks will occur simultaneously, and all team members should be aware of each other's responsibilities so they can assist as needed.

The tables below are representative examples that can be used to determine each peri-operative team member's duties during a fire event.  These examples address the most common types of fires in a peri-operative area.  At a minimum, a surgeon, anesthesia professional, scrub person, and a nurse circulator will be present during a procedure. 

Education promotes competency in managing a peri-operative fire.  All duties listed in the tables should be addressed and practiced with and without the presence of all team members.

• Nurse Circulator
• Scrub 
• Anesthesia Provider
• Surgeon
• Assistant Surgical Team Members (e.g., resident, medical student, advance practice providers)
• Charge Nurse
• Support Personnel (e.g., patient care assistants, anesthesia technicians, environmental service staff, front desk staff)
• Administrative Personnel (e.g., manager, director, educator)

Table 1:  Small Fire on Patient
Table 2:  Large Fire on Patient
Table 3:  Airway or Endotracheal Fire
Table 4:  Equipment Fire