A fire drill is a method of practicing how a building will be evacuated in case of a fire or other emergency. In most cases, fire alarm systems in the building are activated and buildings evacuated as if an emergency has occurred. Generally, the evacuation of the time to ensure that the process is fast enough, and problems with emergency systems or evacuation procedures are identified for improvement.
Video Fire drill
History of fire drills
The purpose of fire drills in buildings is to ensure that everyone knows how to get out safely as quickly as possible if fire, smoke, carbon monoxide or other emergencies occur. People need to recognize the sound of fire alarms.
Before regular institutional fire drills were instituted, a major impact fire occurred at the Catholic private school, Our Lady of the Angels in 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The kids on the second floor are stuck there, with no teacher or student knowing how to get out of the building safely. Many children jump out of the window, and many are killed because they can not get out. Even though the school had passed fire checks two months earlier, and had the number of fire exits and fire extinguishers required at the time, it lacked adequate smoke detectors or fire alarms, and was too full.
The need for fire fighting exercise is recognized; a monthly fire fighting exercise was imposed after the fire of Our Lady of the Angels. It was found in subsequent studies that education on fire also helped prevent it: people began to learn more about what started fires, and what to do in case one begins. They are also aware of the dangers that allow fires to start. Within a year of fires, many of the dangerous conditions found at Our Lady of the Angels have been eliminated in thousands of schools across the United States.
Maps Fire drill
Another increase in fire security
After the fire at Our Lady of the Angel, state regulations require that there should be a fire alarm road box no more than a hundred feet from the front of the building. The Illinois General Assembly also passed the life-safety code in response to the fire at Our Lady of the Angel. Things like more control over waste disposal, proper storage of flammable supplies, more frequent fire drills and inspections. Other reforms of the fire include the city of Chicago that modified the Chicago City Building Code, which affects the safety of school fires as well as other buildings with two or more stories. To prevent fires and deaths caused by fire, schools should have evacuation plans in place, and ensure that all fire and warning alarms work well. The teacher must be responsible for the situation and become a leader. Teachers should also consider the number of students they have. They need enough space and time to get all students out quickly, and safely. Teachers should also be the ones who look for the cause of the fire, to try and stop it from happening.
Enhanced security
In reviewing how during the school shootings by Mitchell Johnson and Andrew Golden, fire alarms were used, it was realized that such alarms could motivate building dwellers to gather in one place, suitable for fires, but increase the risk of firing. Nick Dial's article suggests possible improvements from color-coded drillers along with other comments about school safety.
Fire fighting rules
Many jurisdictions require that fire-fighting exercises be performed at certain intervals. This is the case in educational institutions, as well as workplaces and other buildings. The frequency of such training and what to do as long as they can be specified in the law.
United States
In the United States, school fire fighting regulations are set by each state.
Some countries require schools to do fire drills once a month:
Some countries require schools to exercise a certain amount during the school year, or that a number of exercises should be conducted within a certain timeframe:
- Vermont
- Virginia
Some countries set the frequency of larger fire drills at the beginning of the school year:
Until regulations change on November 1, 2010, New Jersey is unique in the requirement that schools conduct two fire fighting exercises per month. Under the terms then one of two fire fighting exercises is replaced by a monthly security exercise.
United Kingdom
The Government of the United Kingdom requires all schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions to conduct fire drills at the beginning of the new school year in September. and recommend that should be held every term. According to British fire regulations, places such as public housing or small buildings should have fire alarm devices such as bells or loudspeakers installed in every room. Routine security checks such as fire alarm and fire extinguishers should be done on a weekly basis. According to Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all workplaces should have emergency plans that define staff actions, evacuation plans and arrangements to contact the fire department.
New Zealand
The New Zealand Fire Service requires all schools and educational facilities to conduct fire drills (called evacuation trials) at least once every six months, except for the shorter period specified in the approved school-approved evacuation scheme. The school must give notice to the Fire Service 7-10 working days before the planned fire drill, and must submit the report to the Fire Service within 7-10 business days of the exercise; unplanned alarm activation does not count as a fire drill.
See also
- Chinese fire drills, joke form
- Fake alarm
- Fire alarm
- Fire Brigade
- Tornado Drill
- Drill practice
- Earthquake training
- Exit sign
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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