Inclusive fire safety design

Fire safety of students and staff in specialised schools pose additional considerations, as some students may require extra assistance during an emergency evacuation. Therefore, it is crucial to implement robust fire safety and management protocols.

Fire safety in specialised schools is of paramount importance due to the presence of students with specialised educational needs (SEN). These are the students with diverse needs, including those with complex social and communication requirements, physical disabilities, or sensory impairments.

In order to ensure the safety of the occupants, visitors and staff against a fire, to provide a safe firefighting operation and to meet the requirements of business continuity/ property protection, it is essential to develop a comprehensive fire safety strategy by a competent fire engineer.

This article summarises key aspects of fire safety design of specialised schools and highlights the due diligence process that must be adapted at an early design stage to ensure the safety of lives and business operations.

Specialised schools serve a crucial role in providing education and training to students with diverse needs. However, the safety of students and staff in these educational institutions is more critical as some students may require extra assistance during an emergency evacuation.

Therefore, it is crucial to implement robust fire safety and management protocols to ensure a safe learning environment for all. Some of the key aspects that need to be considered for fire safety in specialised schools are listed below.

Arson

Around 40 schools a month suffered from a fire in 2019 where the ignition source was electrical faults, arson, and kitchen fires. Due to the deliberate nature of arson, there is no system to predict E F these incidents, such as the location or extent of fire. An arson fire can have more severe consequences compared to an accidental fire in terms of life safety and property protection.

In order to reduce the spread of fire in specialised schools, a fire suppression system may be considered at the early stages of the design. The guidance for fire safety in Schools for England is Building Bulleting: 100 (short: BB100). It provides guidance to assess the risk of fire and its potential spread for property protection and business continuity.

A risk assessment should be undertaken for all schools to determine if an early suppression system such as sprinklers would be beneficial.

Early warning system

The detection of a fire and warning to the occupants can play a vital role to facilitate an effective evacuation of the staff and students in the event of fire.

To give occupants a sufficient time to think and implement safety protocols, an early warning system can be installed, which provides an early detection of smoke or heat production caused by a fire.

In specialised schools, where students may have sensory impairments, implementing a voice-based alarm system ensures clear instruction for these procedures.

In such premises where students may be more sensitive to loud volumes and frequencies, standard fire alarms can cause sensory distress. An audible alarm system with different frequencies or patterns may provide better instructions. By installing a range of alarm tones, various sensory needs can be met to ensure a calm and orderly evacuation.

Similarly, a visual alarm system would perform better where the occupants have hearing impairments, language barriers or textile signage for vision impaired occupants.

By reducing the time of detection and movement of students for evacuation in response to a fire, fire safety can be enhanced in these premises.

Staff actions

In specialised schools, the staff may have the responsibility of evacuating students with diverse needs. Assigning staff with a duty to assist students in evacuation can help in ensuring that all occupants have been evacuated in an event of fire. Staff can take register of the students once outside the building to ensure no one is left behind.

An early warning and instructions to staff members can ensure that they implement safety protocols by prioritising students with mobility impairments or guide them to designated evacuation points. The alerts and location of the fire alarm can help staff to minimise response times and facilitate a quick evacuation, reducing the risk of injuries or fatalities.

Escape routes

A fire strategy should be designed to ensure that the common corridors used for evacuation purposes are sufficiently wide and have enough escape capacity for all occupants.

Where students may require mobility aids such as wheelchairs, a wider escape route may be necessary. By incorporating features such as ramps, handrails, and accessible exits, schools can enhance the safety of occupants.

The final exits should be designed to provide sufficient escape capacity for all occupants.

Suitable fire doors should be installed to allow for a swift escape in the event of an emergency. These should open fail safe for the students to escape. Any automatic opening doors and hold-open devices should be tested periodically to check their adequacy.

Where multi-storey school buildings are serving specialised educational needs, a consideration should be given to the evacuation lifts and refuge points for occupants to call for help. Where evacuation lifts are provided, these should have a protected smoke vented lobby to provide a safe environment to wait while help arrives.

In specialised schools, the travel distances should be kept to a minimum and should lead students directly a safe outdoor space and help to direct them to the allocated fire assembly point.

This will help reduce confusion and will provide a safer means of escape for students in an event of fire. The external escape routes used during evacuation should be kept clear of any obstructions.

Fire safety management

The management of the school building should ensure that effective protocols are implemented for proper storage and handling of flammable materials to reduce the risk of fire.

Cleaning products, chemicals, and combustible materials should be stored in a safe environment and should only be accessible to authorised personnel. Regular inspection of electrical equipment, computers, and kitchen equipment is essential to ensure safety.

A fire risk assessment should be completed annually as per the responsibilities highlighted in the Fire Safety Order 2005.

Fire safety training

Periodic fire drills should be conducted by faculty staff and students, to ensure preparedness and optimised response capabilities.

Staff members should be trained and have sufficient knowledge of fire hazards, prevention measures, and emergency procedures, including nearest emergency exits and use of fire extinguishers. Regular fire evacuation drills can also be implemented to ensure that all occupants are familiar with the evacuation procedures and assembly points.

Prioritising fire safety

In conclusion, prioritising fire safety in a specialised school setting is essential in creating a secure and inclusive learning environment for all students.

By adopting a comprehensive approach to address the unique needs of students, staff, and visitors, schools can effectively mitigate the risk of fires and minimise the potential for injuries or fatalities.

Early warning systems, design of escape routes and final exits, fire safety management, and training can contribute to enhanced preparedness and response capabilities. By prioritising fire safety, specialised schools can uphold their commitment to providing a safe learning environment where all individuals can thrive academically and socially.

How can SOCOTEC help?

SOCOTEC provides testing, inspection, and certification services across the globe.

The team offers comprehensive fire consultancy services to specialised schools, ensuring compliance with stringent fire safety regulations and addressing the unique needs of occupants with diverse requirements.

SOCOTEC’s seasoned Fire Engineering division provides tailored fire safety strategies during design stages, offering ad-hoc advice during construction.

The company specialises in implementing early warning systems, designing protected escape routes, and enhancing evacuation procedures to accommodate students with sensory impairments or mobility challenges. With a commitment to safety and innovation, SOCOTEC ensures a safe and inclusive learning environment for all occupants, supporting specialised schools in prioritising fire safety and well-being.