Every year thousands of students and teachers are killed or injured by fire. Taking responsibility and assuming an active role in preventing and eliminating fire hazards from your school will help avoid a potential tragedy.

Four components are required to create fire. They make up the four sides of what is known as the fire tetrahedron. Remembering these components is an important part of fire prevention, as eliminating any component will prevent combustion.

THE FOUR SIDES OF THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON:

Fuel
A combustible or flammable material.

Heat
The source of ignition.

Oxygen
Part of the air we breathe, this gas is necessary for burning to take place.

Chemical reaction
Occurs when all three components mix together.

Follow these suggested guidelines for a fire-free school zone:

• Trash that falls short of the garbage container can become a fire hazard. Clean up all spills and encourage students to do the same.
• Regularly inspect all exit doors and windows to ensure they are working properly.
• Maintain good housekeeping within the classroom. Keep stacks of papers in storage bins or on shelves. Loose paper or clutter are excellent ignition and fuel sources for fire.
• Oily rags left on shop benches or in corners are serious fire hazards. They can catch fire as a result of spontaneous combustion that means no outside source of ignition is needed.
• Never place materials or furniture near a heat source that is not currently in use. When the heat is turned on in cooler weather, a fire can easily result.
• Chemicals may greatly add to a fire’s intensity and strength. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to store chemicals correctly and to separate certain substances so they cannot mix by accident.
• Electrical equipment in poor repair is responsible for countless fires. Maintain all electrical equipment carefully. Keep it clean and free of moisture.
• Do not overload circuits. Watch for signs of overloading such as lights which dim when machinery starts running. Flickering lights and buzzing sounds in switch boxes are also signs of electrical problems. These unsafe conditions can lead to fires. Immediately report all warning signs to maintenance personnel.
• Smoke only in designated areas. Do not light up in work or storage areas and extinguish all butts in fireproof ashtrays.

It is important to know exactly what to do if a fire does occur. Fires present a variety of hazards to both students and teachers. Knowing how to handle them can save lives.

If a fire does occur:

• Do not panic.
• Sound the fire alarm immediately. Never attempt to extinguish a fire that is too large to handle. Your first responsibility is getting yourself and students to safety.
• Initiate fire evacuation procedures. Calm your students and encourage them to behave the same as they would in fire drills. After ensuring everyone is out of the classroom, close all doors and vacate the building, proceeding to the predetermined meeting area.
• Proceed to the predetermined meeting area.
• Count your students once you’ve reached the meeting place. Send a runner to inform administration of your class count.
• Remain with your class. Never allow a student to re-enter the building and don’t do so yourself until the building has been declared safe for re-entry.

If you become trapped inside:

• Do not panic.
• If smoke is funneling under the door and it’s warm to the touch, do not open it. Wedge clothing, towels or other suitable items between the door and floor to help block the smoke.
• Close all doors immediately. This will not only deny the fire oxygen, but also slow the spread of fire.
• Demand that your students stay as close to the floor as possible to avoid inhaling smoke and noxious fumes.
• If possible, wet clothing and breathe through it. It will act as a mild respirator, providing an added layer of protection.
• Open a window to allow fresh air into the room. If your students can reach the ground without injury, encourage them to get out.

Stop, drop and roll technique for extinguishing flaming clothing on a person

• Make them stop, drop to the ground and roll back and forth to smother the flames.
• If available, use additional clothing or blankets to pat out the flames.