When we send our children to school, there is a responsibility on teachers and school governors to ensure they are evacuated safely should a fire break out. Ensuring their protection against a fire means the performance of your fire alarm systems and evacuation procedures are of paramount importance.
Most schools have been built to cater for a variety of mixed uses. A school complex can comprise classrooms, kitchens and refractories, as well as science laboratories and indoor sports facilities. Each area poses a different type of fire risk, especially science labs that may contain flammable chemicals and kitchens where perhaps students are learning to cook.
When considering the best type of fire alarm system for a school, the most common requirements are; a system that can be effectively monitored and maintained, a need to prevent false alarm activations, the need to provide early detection and warning of a real fire, and a procedure that enables the safe evacuation of all school occupants in a controlled manner.
Effective and well-maintained fire alarm systems and fully trained fire officers are essential elements of ensuring pupils, buildings and equipment are protected. A well-maintained fire alarm system will ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and also ensure you pass OFSTED with flying colours. Teachers and school governors need evidence that these systems and processes are effective and will alert and prevent the spread of fire and protect people, processes and property.
When installing and maintaining a fire alarm system for a school, one of the key challenges Tecserv encounters is the need to help the responsible individual or the fire officer (or team) prevent false activations.
Children can be naturally mischievous, so education on fire safety is an important aspect of their learning as well as a fire drill that is understood and well-practiced. A key challenge is to do this in a way that educates, without making the children fearful.
A reliable commercial fire alarm system will detect fire signals, save lives and minimise costly damage to buildings and property.
Current UK fire alarm regulations state that all business premises must have ‘an appropriate fire detection system’.
Fires can be devastating, and some schools fail to ever pick up the pieces if insurance and other funding are insufficient to rectify damage. Not to mention the loss of teaching time and pupils work left on site.
We are providing you with two free fire safety guides to help your business stay safe and help the responsible individual comply to fire safety legislation.
This guide provides business owners and responsible individuals with a reference
document regarding their legal responsibilities in respect of fire safety in the workplace.
This guide explains what’s involved in a fire risk assessment and the legal requirements your business needs to meet.
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Please note Tecserv only operate within the United Kingdom – any work outside of this region cannot be considered.
