K-12 Fire Facts
Colleges and universities aren’t the only educational facilities with fire dangers.
- K-12 facilities must know the facts and take essential precautionary steps
- 43 percent of fires on educational properties occurr in middle schools or high schools
- 21 percent occur in elementary schools, including kindergartens
- Fires in K-12 schools usually occur during the school day, and typically in the fall or spring months
- While K-12 campuses see fewer fatalities per fire than college campuses, there are typically more injuries
- Top causes of K-12 fires include cooking equipment (25 percent); trash cans (25 percent); and intentionally-set fires (22 percent)**
Source: NFPA 2005
**Source: U.S. Structure Fires in Education Properties, NFPA, August 2007
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Your Fire Safety Call-to-Action Plan
The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association recommends these important steps for campus safety leaders:
- 1. Know the codes. Talk to your local fire marshals about basic code requirements, such as NFPA 1, NFPA 10, NFPA 96, NFPA 17 & 17A and NFPA 14. For more information on these codes, see www.nfpa.com.
- 2. Assess your buildings for appropriate fire safety equipment needs. Understand the unique functions of each building and ensure proper equipment is readily available in an emergency. When a fire is extinguished at an early stage, deaths, injuries and property damage are significantly minimized.
- 3. Ensure all fire equipment is up-to-date and properly maintained. Regularly check all equipment to make certain it is in good working condition. Inspect all fire equipment for correct pressure and signs of cracks, leaks or vandalism. Schedule annual maintenance by professionals. After use, have a professional recharge suppression systems and portable fire extinguishers, and re-rack hoses.
- 4. Create an evacuation plan. Practice escape plans and communications, including primary and secondary exits.
- 5. Train and educate. Regularly conduct fire drills, and hands-on staff or resident advisor equipment training using portable fire extinguishers and rack hose stations. CPR and first aid are also important components to fire training.
Joe Beranek is president of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. For more information on fire safety, visit www.femalifesafety.org or call (216) 241-7333.
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