Fire Safety Issues in School
A recent article on the FPA website, written by Steve Solomon, delves into the prevalent fire safety issues and concerns regarding the state of school buildings in the UK.
A new report from the National Audit Office has brought attention to the deteriorating condition of these structures and the significant safety concerns they pose. Official statistics from the Home Office, up to March 2022, reveal that approximately 30% of inspected schools received an unsatisfactory rating during fire safety audits.
Fire safety building design, as outlined in Approved Document B (ADB), typically assumes that fires are unlikely to start in multiple places simultaneously under normal circumstances. It primarily anticipates fires within accommodation areas like offices or industrial spaces, rather than in protected escape routes. However, educational institutions face a unique risk of arson, involving multiple ignition points and items set ablaze within escape routes, such as student displays and storage areas.
Escape routes
Both ADB Volume 2 and DCLG guidance for educational facilities specify maximum travel distances of 18 metres in one direction and 45 metres with two travel directions, measured to a final exit, protected staircase, or separate compartment with continued safe egress. Assessors should confirm existing travel distances and suggest recommendations, which may include additional exit routes or compartmentation, when necessary. Internal layout changes often result in non-compliance with acceptable travel distances.
Final exits must be opened weekly to ensure their functionality, but this is frequently neglected in areas with low foot traffic.
Occupancy Calculations
Many educational buildings were initially designed for smaller student populations and may have been altered or expanded over the years to accommodate more students. The fire risk assessor should perform an occupancy calculation of assembly areas, considering the number, size, location of exits, and floor area configuration. This calculation should ensure that assembly areas are suitable for the number of occupants.
Compartmentation
Older school buildings may have inadequate compartmentation due to years of wear and tear. Even more modern buildings may suffer from poor structural compartmentation and fire-resistant doorsets that have been damaged or altered over time. Assessors should inspect areas above false ceilings where compartment lines exist, with a focus on protected staircases, cross-corridor fire-resistant door sets, and high-risk areas like kitchens, science labs, design technology departments, and plant rooms.
A full compartmentation survey may be recommended if numerous breaches are detected. In some cases, especially with CLASP buildings, the emphasis should shift towards fire prevention and efficient evacuations.
Regular in-house inspections of fire-resistant door sets are essential, with recommendations provided for any doors likely to malfunction due to damage, missing parts, retrofitted non-fire-rated hardware, or general wear and tear.
Alarm Systems
In some cases, automatic fire detection systems are covered due to frequent false alarms. Assessors should not only recommend removing the covers but also provide suggestions to prevent future issues, such as using different detector heads or improving work practices. Routine inspections of problematic areas are also advised.
Extinguishers
Educational premises are prone to extinguisher tampering. Frequent visual inspections beyond the recommended monthly checks are essential. In cases where extinguishers are frequently misused, considering locked boxes or relocating them to staff-only areas within the recommended travel distances is a viable solution. Alternatively, loud audible alarms can be installed to deter tampering. Dry powder extinguishers should only be accessible to trained staff, and health and safety assessments are recommended for their retention inside a building.
Housekeeping
Poor housekeeping standards are often observed in educational buildings, particularly in departments like art, drama, and design technology. Fire risk assessments should inspect these areas and provide recommendations accordingly. Adhering to guidelines for notice boards' size and spacing, as specified in BB100, is crucial.