Fires can happen anywhere, potentially involving less-expected sources. Case in point: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that, from 2014 through 2018, 3,230 structural fires occurred in schools, resulting in $37 million in property damage. Yet, according to data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), about 30% of all school fires go back to a cooking incident and another 30% were intentionally set.
In these and more situations, not having a plan and not ensuring your facility has proper fire detection and prevention equipment can potentially result in chaos at the sound of a fire alarm and a significant number of lives lost. Here’s what you should take into consideration:
Fire Prevention Planning for Schools
It’s assumed that all K-12 schools not only have a fire prevention plan but also practice it through routine drills.
The roots of this routine, plus all the smoke alarms and fire extinguishers spaced throughout your building, go back to multiple sources: NFPA 101: Life Safety Codes, which has established safety measures for K-12 schools; the Americans with Disabilities Act, which lists evacuation considerations for students with disabilities; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.36, which touches on workplace safety and evacuation routes; FEMA, which has school-specific guidelines for fire and emergency preparedness; and local building and fire codes.
All of these factors culminate in requirements for:
- Fire alarms: Not only should your school have functional fire alarms and sprinklers installed, but your staff is also required to test them regularly, maintain them and report any malfunctioning equipment.
- Fire extinguishers: Ensure all areas of your school are equipped with the proper class and number of fire extinguishers. Regularly test and service these systems, have them clearly labeled, remove potential obstructions and train your staff members on their usage.
- Signage: Along with marked evacuation routes, your school is required to have visible, properly illuminated exit signs that direct staff and students to outdoor gathering points. These signs and their corresponding exit routes must remain free of obstructions, so they can be seen clearly during an emergency.
- Inspections: Consider your school’s fire prevention strategy to be a work in progress. Routinely assess exit routes, maintain your equipment, and perform a formal inspection once every six months to a year.
Additional Fire Preparation and Prevention Tips for Schools
Along with equipment:
- Conduct fire drills at least once per semester: In addition to guiding students along different escape routes and practicing evacuation procedures, have your staff locate and operate fire safety equipment — for instance, pulling a fire alarm or passing by a fire extinguisher.
- Make fire education part of your school’s curriculum, starting with staff trainings and holding assemblies for students. To fully commit to this mission, avoid leaving fire doors open during the school day.
- Know how to control flammable and combustible materials. Make sure chemicals are stored correctly in supply closets and chemistry labs and that all decorations and school furniture are made with fire-resistant materials. For plays and productions, only licensed professionals should provide special effects and pyrotechnics.
- Be alert to other fire hazards: Have your facility’s electrical system routinely serviced, shut off all appliances and electrically powered systems at the end of each day, and make sure the cafeteria or kitchen is outfitted with a 527 CMR 1.00 c.50-compliant hood system.
- Understand your state’s reporting laws for fires. Should an incident occur, report it to your local fire department, regardless of the fire’s size or location.
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