Practicing fire safety in schools is critical for keeping students and staff safe in case of an emergency.
Schools are a pillar of society – our children go to school to learn and develop social skills. When it comes to keeping children safe, schools need to be vigilant. This includes taking fire safety seriously.
Hold Regular Fire Drills
One of the ways to protect faculty and students is to hold regular fire drills—once a month is ideal. Drills are essential, but sometimes they get overlooked because they’re not always convenient. They interrupt lessons and take time out of the school day, but they should be taken seriously and performed on a regular basis.
Drills simulate a real fire event, allowing students and faculty to practice evacuation procedures and learn the safest and most efficient exit route. When people know the protocol, they are less likely to panic. This can make the entire process work safely in case a fire does take place, allowing everyone to evacuate quickly and efficiently.
Have Your Fire Safety Systems Inspected Regularly
Every building owner or manager should have their fire alarm and sprinkler systems inspected annually or more frequently if required by law. Ideally, a professional and licensed fire protection firm will come out annually to check your systems and make sure that everything is in good working condition. This will ensure that the systems are operational, up to code, and free from damage that could cause problems down the road. If there are any deficiencies, have them repaired immediately to prevent a malfunction.
Fire safety codes are always evolving, so schools with older buildings should have their systems inspected to ensure that they are compliant with current fire codes. If they are found to be lacking, system updates should take priority. A fire safety professional will be able to review any code deficiencies and offer appropriate solutions.
Pay Special Attention to Kitchen Fire Safety
Fires caused by cooking are a significant source of danger, and schools are no exception. In fact, the most common culprit of school fires is cooking, which means the kitchen is the most likely source of a fire. Thankfully, these fires tend to stay contained, so they don’t spread to other areas of the building. But that doesn’t mean they should be overlooked.
One of the reasons these fires stay contained is thanks to fire suppression systems. Commercial and industrial kitchens should have specialty systems designed to protect exhaust hoods and appliances. Always make sure you have the appropriate systems in place and have them inspected regularly, along with your other fire protection systems.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting
people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.