Fire
There should be a fire drill at least once a year, preferably once
a term. It is helpful if a member of the local fire brigade attends.
Evacuation procedures that are successful under practice conditions may be less so in the event of a fire. Fire drills cannot adequately simulate the confusion and uncertainty that can arise in an emergency.
Evacuation procedures should make allowance for:
- False alarms – in some schools there are so many that initiating
the evacuation procedure is delayed until the alarm is confirmed as
genuine. This practice is dangerous
- Full or partial evacuation – in large schools, particularly
those with a number of separate teaching blocks, restricting the evacuation
to the block concerned may minimise disruption
- Controlling pupils – the first priority of staff is the safety
of their pupils. They may choose to lead their class to safety from
the front, so that they are best placed to select the safest route.
Alternatively they may decide to guide their class from the rear,
in which case route-finding may have to be left to the children leading
the way. There is no universally correct procedure
- Disabled staff and pupils – arrangements must be made for
the safe evacuation of those with disabilities that may include learning,
physical and sensory difficulties
- Fire-fighting – members of staff should only consider fighting
a fire after they have seen to the evacuation of the pupils in their
charge
Close-down procedure checklist
The most important steps in fire prevention are good housekeeping and proper close-down procedures.
The following close-down actions are recommended:
- Lock all flammable materials away.
- Secure all valuable equipment.
- Do not leave any cash unsecured overnight.
- Remove all rubbish or waste from the building and place it in secure storage.
- Make sure that everyone has vacated the premises and that all rooms, especially toilets and showers, have been checked for anyone hiding.
- Make sure external lighting is working correctly.
- Ensure all windows are shut and locked.
- Ensure all internal doors are closed to prevent the spread of fire.
