Schools (fire safety)
The dangers which may threaten people if a fire breaks out depend on many different factors. Consequently, it is not possible to construct a standard procedure for action in the event of fire which would be suitable for use in all buildings.
Each fire routine must be based upon a simple, efficient procedure which is specifically designed for the premises in which it has to operate.
It is therefore important that the following points be given prime consideration:
The purpose of the fire drill
Fire drills are intended to ensure, by means of training and rehearsal, that in the event of fire:
- the people who may be in danger act in a calm and orderly manner
- those people who may have designated responsibilities carry out their tasks to ensure the safety of all concerned
- the escape routes are used in accordance with a predetermined and practised plan
- evacuation of the building is achieved speedily and in an orderly manner
- to promote an attitude where people will react calmly when confronted with a fire or other emergency at school or elsewhere
The occupancy of the premises
Consideration must be given to the age of the pupils attending the school and whether there are any children with special needs.
The details of the fire drill routine
A fire routine is based on the following sequence of events:
Alarm operation
- Anyone discovering a fire must, without hesitation, sound the alarm by operating the nearest fire alarm call point
Calling the fire brigade
- All outbreaks of fire or any suspected fire, however small, should be reported immediately to the fire brigade by the quickest means available. This task could well be designated as the responsibility of the school secretary, as they will have ready access to a telephone
Evacuation
- On hearing the fire alarm, pupils must be instructed to leave the building in single file and in a calm, orderly manner
- The person in charge of each class must indicate the exit route to be used and everyone must be directed to a predetermined assembly point
- Specific arrangements must be made for pupils with physical or mental disabilities to ensure that they are assisted during evacuation
- No running is to be permitted, to avoid panic
- On staircases everyone must descend in single file. Overtaking of classes or individuals must not be permitted
- Lifts must not be used
- Anyone who is not in class when the fire alarm sounds must go immediately to the assembly point
- No one must be allowed to re-enter the building until told to do so by the fire service in attendance, or, in the case of a fire evacuation drill, the senior person in charge
Assembly
- An area outside the school premises must be designated as the assembly point
- It must be clearly marked and easily identified by any person who might be expected to be in the school premises
- The assembly point must be far enough away from the school premises to afford protection from the heat and smoke in a fire situation
- The assembly point must be in a position that does not put pupils and staff at risk by emergency vehicles responding to the incident
Roll call
- One person should be nominated to have overall responsibility to conduct a roll call in the event of evacuation of the premises
- Immediately that classes have assembled at the assembly point, a roll or count must be made to ascertain that no one remains in the premises
- Any visitors or contractors in the premises at that time must be included
- The count at the assembly point must be checked with the attendance registers and visitors book to verify that everyone is out of the building
- The attendance registers and visitors book should be held at a central point and must be brought to the assembly point when the alarm sounds
- Each teacher must report to the nominated person in charge of the evacuation procedure to verify that everyone in their charge is accounted for or to inform him/her of the number of persons missing
Meeting the brigade
- During industrial action, fire brigade or fire officer will mean the fire service in attendance
- The person in charge of the roll call must identify him/herself to the fire fighters on their arrival. In doing so, vital information can be relayed to the fire officer which will dictate the necessary actions to be carried out by the fire fighters
Typical information the fire brigade will want to know:
- Is everyone accounted for?
- If anyone is missing: how many? what is their usual location? where were they last seen?
- Where is the fire? what is on fire? (it may not be apparent)
- Are there any hazardous substances involved in the fire or stored in the building? (eg chemicals, solvents, liquefied petroleum gas, acetylene cylinders)
Instruction, training and recording
During the first week of term or as soon as practically possible thereafter, all new entrants (pupils, staff or support staff) should be conducted around the primary escape routes of the school. They should also be instructed on the school fire evacuation routine.
All members of the staff shall receive instruction and training appropriate to their responsibilities in the event of any emergency.
All members of staff shall each receive a personal copy of prepared written instructions. They shall receive two periods of verbal instruction given by a competent person in each 12 month period. This shall include details of how to call the fire brigade. In the case of newly engaged staff, instruction shall be given as soon as possible after appointment.
A record of the training and instructions given and fire drills held shall be entered in the log book and will include the following:
- Date of the instruction or fire drill
- Duration
- Name of person giving the instruction
- Names of persons receiving instruction
- Nature of instruction or fire drill
Fire drills, which may be combined with the instruction given above, shall be carried out at least once per term. The fire drill should simulate a situation in which one escape route is not available. Each fire drill should be started by a pre-determined signal and the whole premises checked as if an emergency evacuation was in progress.
In large premises a specific person shall be made responsible for organising staff training and one other nominated person will co-ordinate the actions of the staff in the event of fire. Effective arrangements shall be made for a deputy or deputies to carry out the above duties in the absence of the nominated persons.
In smaller premises one specific person shall be made responsible for organising staff training and for co-ordinating the actions of staff in the event of fire. Effective arrangements shall be made for a nominated deputy to be available to carry out the above duties.
The frequency of fire evacuation drills
Fire evacuation drills should be held at least once per term, preferably at the commencement of each term.
Supplementary notes
Notices
Each fire alarm point shall, where necessary, be clearly indicated 'Fire Alarm' in accordance with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations, followed by the appropriate operating instructions. (See Notice 1).
A notice should be displayed adjacent to the telephone or switchboard giving clear instructions for calling the fire brigade in case of fire. (See Notice 2).
Notices should be displayed for staff detailing their actions in an emergency in conspicuous positions, eg staff room. (See Notice 3).
Fire fighting
Any attempt to fight the fire must always be secondary to personal safety.
Circumstances will clearly dictate whether fire fighting should be attempted.
Any attempt to fight the fire must be based upon the type and degree of training received in the use of fire fighting equipment employed in the premises.
Regular fire drills will ensure that the evacuation procedure in a premises fulfils its aim satisfactorily and will highlight any areas of the procedure which may need to be reviewed.
Multi building sites
Many schools have more than one building on site. It is not necessary for the fire alarm systems in these buildings to be linked together.
In the event of an alarm, a procedure should be established whereby contact is made to the other buildings on site either by telephone or designated person.
Once contact has been made, it will be usual procedure to evacuate all buildings (by operating the fire alarm, tannoy message, or personally with each class).
The aim of evacuating all buildings is to attempt to carry out a roll call. Operating procedures within some schools may make it virtually impossible to say with any degree of certainty that all persons are accounted for. In these cases, management may decide to operate a 'Floor Warden' scheme. This delegates responsibility to members of staff to quickly search each floor (all rooms including toilets) and to report to the designated responsible persons that their floor is clear. Where this procedure is in operation it is not necessary to evacuate all buildings.
Notice 1
Fire notice
Any person discovering a fire must:
- Operate the nearest fire alarm
- (The fire brigade will be called immediately by dialling '999' using the nearest telephone)
On hearing the fire signal:
- When in class the order to evacuate will be given by your teacher, who will indicate the route to be followed
- When not in class form into single file and move by the most direct route to the place of assembly
- At all times act quietly and calmly
- Do not stop to collect personal belongings
- Do not attempt to pass others on your way to the place of assembly
The place of assembly is: ..................................................................... ( Note: enter the place of assembly)
Notice 2
Specimen instructions for person responsible for calling the fire brigade (also to be posted adjacent to the telephone or switchboard)
On hearing the fire alarm
Call the fire brigade by exchange telephone
Dial '999'
Give the operator your phone number and ask for
'Fire Brigade'.
When the fire brigade replies give the call distinctly:
Fire at (give exact address)
Do not assume that the call has been received until it has been acknowledged by the fire brigade.
Note: if informed of an outbreak of fire by word of mouth, first operate the fire alarm and then call the fire brigade.
Notice 3
Specimen instructions to staff in case of fire (general instructions to be observed by staff)
In the event of fire it is the first duty of all concerned to prevent injury or loss of life. For this purpose you should make certain that you are familiar with all means of escape in case of fire.
Since there may be an opportunity in the event of fire, for you to attack it with the nearest fire extinguisher or hose reel, you should also be familiar with how to use them.
Immediately upon discovering a fire or one being reported to you, you should sound the alarm
The (.........) is responsible for ensuring that the fire brigade is called immediately on the sounding of the fire alarm. Immediately the alarm sounds you should assist all pupils to leave the building.
On arrival at the assembly point which is at .........................................................................
a roll call should be taken by ............................................................... who will be responsible for informing the fire brigade of persons not accounted for.
