Fire Safety in Schools
Firstly, the school needs to be assessed for fire risks and steps put in place to reduce these as far as possible. This will include banning of smoking in certain areas, testing all electrical equipment, making sure electrical items are switched off before closing up for the day, and the training of staff in fire safety and emergency procedures.
It is essential that the school has SABS-approved fire extinguishers at various points, especially in high-risk areas. These must be checked regularly and may not exceed their expiry date. A fire detection system (such as smoke alarms) is also highly valuable. Fire alarms must be audible in all parts of the school premises.
The employer (school) needs to ensure that all employees and learners are aware of the evacuation procedure in the case of a fire. There should be fire drills to ensure this is performed correctly. All staff members need to be trained to use a fire extinguisher.
Emergency evacuation procedures need to be displayed in all offices, classrooms and amenities. The local fire department should assess the evacuation procedures on an annual basis.
Fortunately, if the school regularly performs inspections and risk assessments, the chances of an emergency are fairly low.
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