The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Zero fire safety in majority schools

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Monday, Jul 06, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Zero fire safety in majority schools

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Department is contemplating to prosecute school managements that do not comply with fire safety measures.

Despite notices from the Department, a majority of schools continue to violate the mandatory safety norms. A memo was circulated to all the station fire officers in twin cities on Friday asking them to inspect schools in their jurisdiction and submit a detailed report within a week. “We are planning to prosecute managements if deficiencies are found in schools,” said District Fire Officer (DFO) P. Deendayal.

Officials said several schools did not have alternative escape routes and enough open space for a fire tender in case of emergency. Some of the managements even failed to install basic fire extinguishers and construct overhead water tanks to douse flames. Another alarming aspect of some schools is that they are located in commercial buildings that also have restaurants with kitchen.

However, some school managements have implemented safety measures. Mock drills are being conducted regularly in coordination with the Fire Department to educate teaching staff and students on identifying escape routes, switch-off power supply and how to prevent stampedes. Sirens have also been fixed to alert the staff and students in case of fire.

“We are concerned about schools that are violating norms. Even after suggesting them on safety measures in the interest of schoolchildren, managements continue to ignore norms,” the DFO explained.

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Andhra Pradesh