Feature
Summer School: A Fire Safety Curriculum
As educational facilities revel in a summertime of empty hallways and classrooms, Sue Corrick of Allegion UK explains why it’s the perfect time to assess fire door hardware.
The great British summertime has arrived, known for its quintessential rainy days, packed out beach fronts and extended educational term breaks. By the time we reach August, students of all ages - from primary schools to universities - have dashed out the doors in preparation for a summer of fun, leaving behind empty academic facilities in the process.
For most of the 32,163 universities in the UK3 schools1 , 277 colleges2 and 164 , the extended summer break is seen
as a time to reset. Yet, it also provides decision makers with a prime period to assess and attend to their facilities ahead of the new term. Educational spaces are often prone to wear and damage, as a result of their high footfall (and naturally well- trodden environments). Door hardware for example, plays an integral role in the security, traversal and fire safety of academic settings and can be operated 100’s to 1000’s of times each day, becoming tired in the process. As such, when door hardware is left to deteriorate it can lead to inadequate operation and thus compromise fire safety and security.
During term time, a fire incident can affect the operation of an educational setting, disrupting student learning and disturbing staff morale - not to mention the economic strain as a result of building damage. Over periods of closure, this vulnerability can become even more alarming - particularly for unoccupied school buildings where many fires are started deliberately and arson is a common offence, accounting for up 70% of fire safety incidents4
UK Fire Service called out to extinguish fires in approximately 1,500 UK schools per year5
for some local authority fire brigades. And with the , the necessity
of maintenance
periods is more evident than ever. Fortunately, making positive change over the summer break can make an instant impact, but where does the responsibility lie?
14 fmuk Head of fire safety
As is stated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 20056
, all educational establishments must designate a
Responsible Person (RP) for matters associated with fire safety. In some cases, responsibility can be shared between a single person and the local authority or building owner, but as part of their obligations, the RP must possess a robust knowledge of fire safety and manage ongoing risk assessments7
, designed to
help identify potential fire hazards within the premises. As part of their responsibilities, the designated RP must: • Ensure necessary persons are trained on fire safety • Conduct fire safety inspections, ensuring escape routes are clear and fire door sets are operating effectively • Ensure firefighting equipment meets regulations • Check to ensure fire alarms and smoke detectors work correctly and effectively
In the event of a fire, should an educational establishment be considered unsafe or breach the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is in danger of heavy penalties, fines and a damaged reputation.
Alarmingly, the latest research from the BWF Alliance has revealed that almost a third of those responsible for fire doors do not understand fire door responsibility8
under the Building Safety Act 2022. Passed in April, the new Building Safety Bill is designed
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
