Some special building traffic and exit hazards 1. Gymnasium seating of the fixed type usually has stair aisles. Folding or demountable seating should also be equipped with stair aisles. 2. The use of loose seating on gymnasium or other floors for assembly purposes should be limited. When so used, the seating should be arranged in definite blocks with wide front to back aisles and cross aisles if needed. Some device should be used to maintain these formations or to maintain safe passageways. 3. Auditorium (a) Seating rows open at each end should be limited to 14, and those This regula A person should not have to pass more than 6 seats to reach an aisle. (b) Main floor aisles may slope but should not have steps. Sloping aisles should have non-slip surfaces. Aisles should terminate at exits. The minimum aisle width should be 30 inches. This should be increased as the load increases. (c) For large auditoriums special emergency exits, not used as entrances, are desirable. 4. School auditorium and gymnasium exits should be at or near the ground level to facilitate safe exit. 5. Exit or classroom doors having glass panels should be glazed with wired or safety glass. 6. Ample exits direct to corridor or outside, should be provided for stage and gymnasium dressing room areas. Fire escapes The best "fire escape" is an enclosed fire-resistive stair well. In some existing buildings where enclosed stair wells are not feasible, outside escapes may be needed. If installed, they should meet certain safety requirements. 1. They should extend from the point of entrance to the ground. Weighted steps or ladders should not be used for schools. 2. They should be entered at floor level preferably through a door, panic bolt fitted. If fire escapes are entered through a classroom, the classroom should be treated as a corridor and free passage aisles through the room maintained. Also the door swing and hardware should facilitate such passage through the room. 3. The discharge end of the escape should be away from the building, open, and not blocked. 4. Any windows within 10 feet of the escape should have metal sash and framing and be glazed with wired glass. 5. Stair escapes should have handrails. Emergency exit procedures Since detailed information on the purposes of the organization, procedures, and direction of emergency evacuation is provided in a previous Office of Education publication School Fire Drills and in the Building Exits Code, only general principles will be outlined here. 3 Viles, N. E., School Fire Drills. Washington, U. S. Government Printing Office, 1948, Federal Security Agency, Office of Education, Pamphlet 103, 19 p. 4 Building Exits Code, 1950, National Fire Protection Association, Boston, Mass. 1. Alarm signals should be positive, different from any other building signals, and audible at all places in the building under all conditions. 2. Exit drills. Exit drills should be set up on definite schedules as follows: Planned to fit the building and the age of the pupils; under complete control and observed by everybody in the building with no exceptions; practiced until routine is perfected; and repeated as often as needed to maintain routine. Exit maintenance Some exit maintenance procedures discussed under other sections will be repeated here for the sake of emphasis. 1. Exit doors. (a) Exit doors should be maintained to operate freely at all times, and should never be blocked or locked when the building is occupied. (b) Panic hardware should operate freely. (c) Exit door closers should operate freely. 2. Stairs. (a) Handrails should be solid. (b) Treads should be non-slippery; nosings should be solid. (c) There should be no storage of combustibles under or near the stairs. 3. Corridors, traffic lanes. (a) Floors should not be slippery. (b) Cases, tables, equipment, and tools should not block free passageway in corridors. (c) Traffic lanes should be well-lighted and marked. (d) Traffic lanes outside the building should not be blocked by parked cars, bicycles, or other obstructions. (e) Outside exit steps, if any, should not be covered with ice that might impede evacuation. 4. Fire Escapes. Fire escapes should be in good repair, unlocked and ready for use; and should be free of ice or blocks. XV. Inspections FIRES DO OCCUR in all types of school buildings, and each fire may create potential life and property hazards. Fire hazards may develop without the building occupants being aware of them. School officials. and employees should recognize the need for fire safety in the building and be alert to any conditions that might create fire hazards. Planning alone is not enough. Fire hazards may develop progressively from deterioration, school activities, or other causes and may often. be found in areas where not anticipated. Frequent inspections should be made of all areas where fire hazards might develop. A well-planned inspection program might include frequent self-inspections by the local staff, periodic inspections by the fire department and the rating bureau, and such special inspections as can be provided by boiler and electric wiring technicians. Responsibility for inspections 1. Administrative. (a) The school administrative staff should organize and direct the inspection programs. (b) The governing school board should hold the administrative staff responsible for the inspections. 2. The teaching staff members should be responsible for safe conditions in their areas of operation and alert to hazards throughout the buildings. 3. The custodial and maintenance staffs should participate in and be responsible for making certain inspections. They should report in writing on conditions found. Use of outside assistance 1. Insurance inspection bureaus usually make up rating sheets on each building showing various fire hazards for which rate penalities are added. In most instances the rating bureaus will advise on corrective methods and will provide copies of the rating sheets for local use. 2. Local representatives of fire and casualty insurance companies and other interested groups will advise on inspections and on the elimination of fire hazards. 3. Local fire departments have a definite interest in fire prevention and are usually available for assistance to (a) Advise on fire risks, and preventive measures. (b) Assist in inspections. (c) Suggest evacuation and other life safety measures. (d) Advise on primary extinguishing procedures. (e) Cooperate in setting up an alarm notification system. Self-inspections Self-inspection programs should be well organized. Instructions and procedure outlines should be specific. 1. Daily. (a) Require the custodian to make a last minute check of the building each evening before closing. (b) Require a brief check on opening the building in the morning. (c) Require frequent checks on certain hot spot areas. 2. Periodic inspections. (a) Inspect some areas weekly. (b) Make over-all building inspections at fixed datings each month. 3. Some inspection areas. (a) Check exit lanes for clear passage. (b) Try door checks, panic-exit hardware, etc. (c) Test fire alarm signals. (d) Examine fire escapes, if any. (e) Check storage, attic, basement, heating room areas. (f) Check fire hose, fire extinguishers. (g) Test fire door action. (h) Check carefully on housekeeping practices, accumulations of trash, rubbish, etc. 4. Organizing self-inspections. (a) Designate persons to be responsible for over-all inspections. (b) Require teachers to inspect areas where they work. (c) Have designated times for inspections. Note that inspections in certain hazardous areas should be more frequent than the over-all building inspection. (d) Require written inspection reports. Also require written reports on fire hazards found in daily use of the building. (e) Hold staff responsible for reports and results. The principal, teacher, and custodian in accepting positions have accepted certain responsibilities. They should be responsible for and to the extent of their own negligence. 5. Use of inspection forms. (a) Special forms should be prepared for areas such as shops, furnance rooms, storage rooms, stage, that need frequent and perhaps special inspections. (b) More comprehensive forms should be prepared for over-all building inspections. (c) One copy of each report should be retained by the maker and others may be filed in the administrative offices as desired. Inspection reports should be made available to the governing board and to the public. (d) A copy of a comprehensive "Self-Inspection Blank for Schools" prepared by the National Board of Fire Underwriters follows. Other forms adapted to local conditions can be prepared as desired. If precautions are taken to minimize the danger of fire and to provide for safety in case fire occurs, real progress will be made in safeguarding life and protecting property. Intelligent thought and care in practice can eliminate practically all fires within schools. INSTRUCTIONS Inspection to be made each month by the custodian and a member of the faculty at which inspection only Items 1 to 20 need to be reported. At the quarterly inspection, a member of the fire department should accompany the above inspectors, and the complete blank should be filled out. The report of each inspection (monthly and quarterly) is to be filed with the Board of Education or School Commissioners. 1 Reproduced by permission. Questions are so worded that a negative answer will indicate an unsatisfactory condition. Are these locks 1111 1. Are all exit doors equipped with panic locks? tested each week to insure ease of operation? lock securely so that additional locks, bolts or chains are not necessary? Are such additional locks open whenever building is in use? 2. Are all outside fire escapes free from obstructions and in good working order? Are they used for fire drills? 3. Is all heating equipment, including flues, pipes and steam lines: (a) in good serviceable condition and well maintained? (b) properly insulated and separated from all combustible material by a safe distance? 4. Is coal pile inspected periodically for evidences of heating? 5. Are ashes placed in metal containers used for that purpose only? 6. Is remote control provided whereby oil supply line may be shut off in an emergency? 7. Where is outside shut-off valve on gas supply line? 8. Check any of the following locations where there are accumulations of waste paper, rubbish, old furniture, stage scenery, etc., and explain under remarks: dressing room in connection with stage, basement, furnace room, stage, attic, other locations 9. Is the space beneath stairs free from accumulations or storage of any mateterials? 10. What material or preparation is used for cleaning or polishing floors? Where stored? Quantity on hand? 11. Are approved metal cans, with self-closing covers or lids, used for the storage of all oily waste, polishing cloths, etc.? 12. Are approved metal containers with vapor-tight covers used for all kerosene, gasoline, etc., on the premises? Why are such hazardous materials kept on the premises? 13. Are premises free from electrical wiring or equipment which is defective? (If answer is No, explain under Remarks.) 14. Are only approved extension or portable cords used? ___ 15. Are all fuses on lighting or small appliance circuits of 15 amperes or less capacity? 16. Are electric pressing irons equipped with automatic heat control or signal and provided with metal stand? In manual 17. Are sufficient fire extinguishers provided on each floor so that not over 100 feet travel is required to reach the nearest unit? training shops and in stage; 50 feet? |