Fire is a major problem in schools across the UK. According to statistics, over 1,300 schools in the country suffer from devastating fires every year. Also, many fires are not reported, so the statistics do not reveal the true risk. That is why schools in the UK should pay special attention to fire safety.
Here are some tips on fire safety in schools that will not just prove to be useful, but also will go a long way in saving lives of students, teachers and other school personnel.
Risk Assessment
The school should have a risk assessment done for fire and fire safety. This assessment also will highlight the measures that the school can take for management of fire safety. Furthermore, the school should designate one person for assessing the risk periodically to ensure that safety measures are up-to-date and are being implemented the right way.
Sprinklers
Sprinklers go a long way in reducing as well as preventing the impact of a fire. It is best to get a professional company to come and assess the risk and carry out the installation. This way, you can be certain that your school has fully working sprinkler system that will start working the moment a fire is detected in the premises.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be placed strategically, so that adults in the school can use them to put out a fire. These extinguishers should be checked periodically by a professional to ensure that they are in full working order. It also helps to have sand in buckets near major electrical fixtures and boards in case of an electrical fire where regular fire extinguishers cannot be used.
Evacuation Plan
An evacuation plan is a must for schools and should be displayed prominently in different locations. Students and staff should be taught about the plan and what to do in case of a fire. The evacuation plan can be taught to students via mock drills.
Evacuation Equipment
Schools should also invest in evacuation equipment, as it will help with faster evacuation of children and the school staff, regardless of their mobility. Evacuation equipment can help in evacuating children and staff quickly without wasting time and getting them to a safer location, effortlessly. This equipment can prove to be extremely useful for evacuating small kids and elderly staff members.
Here at K5 we supply a large range of evacuation equipment including stairclimbers and evacuation chairs as well as an extensive range of evacuation accessories. Be sure to browse our site to view our full range of products and if you would like further information please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01234 354 539. We are always on hand to offer advice and guidance on what would be the best products to meet your requirements.