FIRE SAFETY MEASURES FOR SCHOOLS

1. FIRE SAFETY MEASURES FOR SCHOOLS

2. Introduction

3. What Consists a Fire? FIRE : It is a chemical chain reaction which takes place with the evolution of heat and light. ESSENTIALS OF FIRE : • Oxygen • Heat • Fuel

4. HEAT SOURCES OXYGEN SOURCE To Reach Ignition Temp. Open Flame, the Sun,Hot Surface, Sparks & Arcs, Friction, Chemical Action, Elec. Energy,& Gas Compression Approx. 16% Required Normal air contains 21% of oxygen Some Fuels contains its own oxygen supply Oxygen Heat Fuel GASES LIQUIDS SOLIDS Coal, Wood, Paper, Cloth, Wax, Grease, Leather, Plastic, Sugar, Grain, Hay, Cork Gasoline, Kerosene, Turpentine, Alcohol, Paint, Varnish, Olive oil, Lacquer Natural Gas, Propane, Butane,Hydrogen, Acetylene, CO FIRE TRIANGLE

5. Temperature Reducing Agent Oxidizing agent Chemical Chain Reaction THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON

6. MODES OF SPREAD OF FIRE • Conduction : • It occurs only in solids i.e. metallic objects. • Convection : • It occurs both in liquids & gases due to convection current. • Radiation : • It neither conduction nor convection. These are heated rays emanating from the hot object.

7. PRINCIPLES OF FIRE EXTINCTION • Starvation: • Removal of unburned material from the fire area • Smothering: • Cutting off the supply of oxygen from fire area • Cooling : • Removal of heat from the burning material/fire area • Breaking of Chain Reaction : • This is a chemical process

8. A CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE (As per IS:2190/1992) Class A : • Fire involving solid combustible materials of organic nature such wood, paper, rubber, plastic, cloth which requires cooling effect. Class B : • Fire involving inflammable liquids or liquefiable solids such as petrol, kerosene, acids, solvent etc. B

9. C D CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE (As per IS: 2190/1992) Class C : • Fire involving inflammable gases under pressure including liquefied gases such as methane, hydrogen, acetylene, LPG etc. Class D : • Fire involving combustible metals, such as magnesium, zinc, sodium, aluminum, potassium, radioactive material etc. When the burning metals are reactive to water.

10. EXTINGUISHERS • One of the most common fire protection appliances in use today. • Is excellent to use on incipient fires. • Can extinguish a small fire in much less time. • Be knowledgeable about the different types of fire extinguishers and their correct use. • Known as “First aid fire fighting equipment”

11. SUITABLITY OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS CLASS A : • Water (Gas Cartridge) • Water (Stored Pressure) • Dry Chemical CLASS B: • Mechanical Foam • Dry Chemical • Carbon-di-oxide A B

12. SUITABLITY OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS CLASS C: • Carbon-di-oxide • Dry Chemical CLASS D : • Special Dry Powder (Ternary Eutectic Chloride) C D

13. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS • Minimum width for access roads for fire brigade vehicle should be 8 meter • At least two gates of 6 meter width should be provided for entry to the school compound • Temporary structure should be avoided for housing schools • Public address system should be provided • School buildings should preferably be restricted to ground and one upper floor.

14. GENERALREQUIREMENTS … • Basement should not be used for classrooms or laboratories/libraries and assembly halls • Hazardous laboratory chemicals should be stored in detached buildings 6 meter away • Food should not be cooked inside school buildings. Kitchens if provided should be housed in detached buildings 6 meter away • LPG containers shall not be located near exit/access doors, stairways or areas used as means of egress.

15. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS … • LPG containers shall not be stored in basements • Adequate vents should be provided to the outside at both top and bottom in rooms housing LPG cylinders • Design, constructions & installation of fuel fired appliances should be in accordance with established National Codes • Metal hoods and chimneys for such kitchen appliances should be in accordance with established National Codes.

16. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS … • Such chimneys shall be regularly repaired to prevents smokes, sparks and gases being escaped through them • Vertical shafts/ducts meet for electrical wiring/drainage pipes etc should be enclosed by 225 mm brick walls and effectively sealed at all floor levels • Access openings to such ducts/shafts should be protected by fire resisting shutters of 1- hour fire resistance

17. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS … • All waste materials should be collected at the end of the day and burnt in an incinerator fitted with spark arrester kept far away from school • All school buildings should be maintained in good state of repair

18. EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE EVACUATION • At least two separate exit staircases directly leading to open space of safety must be available for every floor • Emergency escape openings should be maintained regularly • Minimum number of exits based on occupant load, shall be 2 for up to 500 occupants, 3 for occupant load between 500-1000 and 4 for more than 1000 occupants

19. EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE EVACUATION… • Exits should be so located that no point in any floor is more than 22.5 meter from nearest exit • Door width of assembly halls should be minimum 2 meter • Other exit doorway should be of minimum 1.5 meter width • Egress door shall be side hinged swinging • Doors shall swing in the direction of egress • There shall be floor or a landing on each side of a door at the same elevation

20. EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE EVACUATION… • Egress doors should be readily operable from the egress side without the use of key • Turnstiles that restrict in one direction only, should not be placed so as to obstruct means of egress • Minimum corridor width shall be 1.5 meter • Staircases should be continuous from ground floor to the terrace level. A separate staircase should lead to basement level. Laboratories should be located in separate block

21. EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE EVACUATION… • Internal exit staircases should be enclosed with fire resisting walls of at least 9” thickness with door openings therein protected by 1 hr fire resistance doors • Such doors should always be kept open • Width of staircases shall not be less than 1.5 meter • Lifts are not to be considered as an acceptable means of escape. • Minimum width of treads in such staircases shall be 300 mm.

22. Nose Treads Handrail Landing Riser Flight DESIGN OF STAIRCASE

23. EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE EVACUATION… • Risers of such staircases shall not be more than 150 mm in height • Number of risers per flight shall be restricted to 15. Height of staircase railings should be minimum 1 meter • Gap between verticals in such railings, if any, should not exceed 200 mm • For primary schools, above gap should be reduced to 150 mm • Lifts should not open into the staircases

24. EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE EVACUATION… • No electrical shafts, AC dusts or gas pipes should pass through staircases • No combustible material should be used for decoration/wall paneling in staircases • All internal stair-cases, lift-lobbies and corridors should be adequately ventilated and illuminated • The exit signs with arrow indicating the way to the escape-route should be provided at a suitable height from the floor level on the wall

25. EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE EVACUATION… • Emergency and escape lighting system should be capable of continuous operation for a minimum duration of 1 hr and 30 min • Ramps used as part of means of egress shall have running slope steeper than 1 in 12 • Surface of ramps shall be of slip-resistant materials • Minimum width of egress ramps when provided should not be less than that of corridors

26. RAMP

27. FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCES • Portable fire extinguishers should be provided in all school buildings and annex blocks as per BIS: 2190 • Buildings more than 2 storied in height should be provided with first aid fighting hose-reels • Dry risers when provided should be provided with approved fire department connection at ground level

28. FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCES… • Underground static water storage tank of at least 50,000 liters capacity should be available in all school compounds. • One electric and one diesel engine driven fire pump should be installed on such fire water reservoir to supply water to a down - comer fitted with hydrant outlets and connected to a 10,000 liters over-head tank at the terrace level

29. FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCES… • Dry riser when provided should be provided with a hydrant outlet and a hose box near each such hydrant • Automatic fire alarm and detection system if installed, should conform to BIS:2189

30. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION • Sub-stations housing transformers, HT/LT circuit breakers should be housed in separate rooms 6 meter away • Staircase and corridor lights should be on separate circuits

31. EVACUATION PROCEDURES • A regular fire safety and evacuation plan must be drawn up • First emergency evacuation drill of each school year should be conducted within 10 days of beginning of classes • Outdoor assembly areas should be located at a safe distance from the school building being evacuated

32. EVACUATION PROCEDURES… • Assembly areas should be arranged to keep each class separate to provide accountability of all individuals. • Employees should received training in the contents of fire safety and evacuation plans • Each employee should be trained in fire prevention in the conduct of their assigned duties. • Drill should be held at unexpected times to simulate unusual conditions that occur in case of a fire.

33. ANY QUESTIONS