Do you want to prevent fire hazards in your school?
One of the most important things to consider in any workplace is fire safety. However, schools are more prone to fire incidents, because of the labs, and the combustible equipment and chemicals kept within. Therefore, the people responsible should take the utmost care. Most regrettably, fire incidents in schools are not at all uncommon.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common sources of fire in schools. If you observe any one of them in your school, take action right away.
Let’s break it down.
- One of the major causes behind fire accidents in schools is the improper handling of equipment. Some of the most common equipment that can cause fire accidents are heaters, lighting equipment, and various kitchen equipment. If such equipment isn’t used properly, they can result in a fire accident.
- Most people have a habit of carelessly tossing the filter after smoking a cigarette. A carelessly tossed lit cigarette can cause more damage than you think. To keep your school safe, ask the staff to stub out the cigarettes after smoking, so there isn’t any flame left.
- Waste Accumulation is another cause of fire hazards in schools. In a school full of young children, things can get messy, and waste accumulation isn’t uncommon. Usually, the waste is cleaned and dumped into the trashcan. However, the sheer amount of waste can catch fire, thus putting the students and school staff at risk.
- The specialist equipment in your school’s lab is one of the primary contributors to fire accidents in schools. Equipment that uses a gas such as Bunsen Burners is more prone to fire hazards than anything else. After using them, the teachers, as well as the students, should turn the gas supply off.
- Lastly, events of arson aren’t common in the US either. The incidents of disgruntled hooligans trespassing on school properties, and setting things on fire are heard every day in the news.
Now that we have discussed the causes of fire accidents in schools, let’s take a look at some of the ways to prevent these unhappy occurrences.
Waste Disposal
As discussed above, waste is a common cause of fire incidents in schools. Therefore, it should be picked and dumped, before something unpleasant goes down.
No Smoking Policy
If you are the person in charge, enforce a “no smoking policy” on your campus. This policy should apply not only to the students but to the staff, as well.
Safe Storage of Flammables
The chemistry lab is home to multiple combustible chemicals. When not in use, they should be kept safely in a fireproof shelf, and must only be accessed with the teacher’s permission.
Electrical Inspection
As discussed in the earlier paragraphs, electric appliances are a major contributor to fire accidents in schools. Therefore they should be tested and checked for faults regularly. An appliance with the slightest fault should be replaced immediately.
Fire Training
To prevent fire accidents, fire safety training must be imparted to teachers and students. They must be trained to handle fire extinguishers, and use escape doors, just in case a fire breaks out.
Minimizing the Possibility of Arson
Here are some quick tips that will help you prevent arson on school property.
- Secure the boundaries with sturdy fencing, and barb wires in extreme situations. The windows and doors must be locked, while no one is around.
- All the flammable items must be locked away safely. Arsonists rarely bring their own fire and utilize whatever they can find.
The aforementioned tips will help you minimize the risk of fire damage on school property.
