With school session starting last month, all of our focus has shifted to the kids and where they spend most of their time – “The School”. Have you ever wondered how secure are these institutions? Do you believe that schools in the country are doing their bit in keeping their premises safe? Modern schools today are equipped with numerous contemporary amenities that are incomparable to old school infrastructure. With electrical cabinets, air-conditioners, projectors, computers in auditoriums & classrooms, practical laboratories containing large quantities of flammable substances and having transformers, generators - these facilities are highly vulnerable to fire accident. The central kitchen of the school too is a high risk with cooking gas & oil burning throughout the day. A fire in places like these can go out of control and hence it’s imperative to have appropriate fire safety in schools. Fire safety is important for a simple reason that a large number of young lives are gathered at one place every day and a single fire incident can affect all of them dreadfully. Hence, schools should be responsible for the safety of their students and staff, and must undertake as many precautions as possible to avoid any untoward incidents.
Here is a helpful guide for school authorities and staff to understand fire safety in such educational institutions -
First and foremost a school must invest in a thorough Fire Audit Survey (FAS) to gauge the Ideal Fire Safety requirement for holistic safety from fire accidents Based on the FAS report, the institution must install the required safety systems and equipment at designated locationsThe first line of defense - “Detection” should not be overlooked, as it can save the initial few crucial minutes that can help fight fire effectively and control losses For timely detection, all fire prone zones within the premise must have fire alarms installed and they must be checked regularlyAs schools have large human presence, special attention must be given to the choice of extinguishing agent being used. Using of harsh chemicals and gasses to fight fire can have adverse effect on young children. And hence, it is recommended to use Watermist or clean agent based extinguishers that neither are harmful to use in a large gathering nor cause any collateral damage. It must be kept in mind that every fire extinguisher in the premise is set at focal place that’s easily accessible and known to everyoneThe school must have a planned procedure in place for emergency evacuation and regular drills must be conducted to remember them at the time of needTeachers and non-teaching staff and other helpers must be instructed on how to use the fire extinguishers, hydrants, specialized suppression systems and other equipments.The emergency exits must be kept clear of any blockades at all times Schools should avoid stocking highly inflammable materials (like paper, wood, cardboard etc) in large quantities at one location The schools must consider investing in an infirmary and personal ambulance to ensure immediate first aid and emergency transportation to hospitals Schools must also have emergency contact service like the fire and rescue department to ensure that they react immediately in case of an emergency.
An uncontrolled fire not only causes huge property loss and irreparable reputation damage but more than anything, it also results in huge loss of precious lives. Schools must take essential defenses in order to prevent anything unfortunate from happening. Being the most preferred fire safety brand in the country, we at Ceasefire specialize in providing products, guidance and support to ensure fire safety of all such critical premises. We also offer the best in industry fire risk assessments and equipment.