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Fire Code Restrictions for Schools

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 6,650 fires at educational institutions between 2003 and 2006. The majority occurred at nursery schools, elementary, middle, and high schools. NFPA provides fire codes and emergency standards designed to reduce the risks and effects associated with fires in schools. States and local municipalities often adopt NFPA guidelines when developing their own fire code regulations.

  1. Fire Drills

    • Schools should conduct fire drills during school hours at least once per month using the actual emergency alarm system. All students should recognize the alarm and be aware of predetermined procedures for exiting the school building. Because actual fire emergencies can happen at any time, schools should stage fire drills at numerous times.

      Drills are more effective when conducted at unexpected times and during various conditions. Students and school personnel should remain outside the building until at a prearranged location and wait for conformation that it is safe to re-enter the building before returning to class.

    Faculty Responsibilies

    • All school staff members are responsible for inspecting exits from the building to ensure walkways are not obstructed. This includes checking doors and stairways for obstructions, and making sure all doors and other means of exiting the building are in proper working order. Teachers and other school employees should become familiar with the building's fire protection system and be aware of fire alarm and sprinkler locations.

      School should display maps in every room showing two ways to exit the room. Staff must make sure all students participate in fire drills and recognize students that require special help to exit the building during emergencies. Students with special needs should be assigned to an adult or another student that will assist them in emergency exit situations. Faculty should maintain a list of all students and make sure each one is accounted for during drills and actual emergencies.

    Classroom Fire Safety

    • Keeping classrooms safe from fire includes emptying trashcans daily and keeping flammable material away from building heating systems. Discourage portable heaters and unplug electrical appliances when not in use. Use electrical outlet safety plugs in preschool and kindergarten classes.

      Avoid candles and other sources of open flame in classrooms and take care in laboratories to properly store and dispense all combustible liquids. Keep only minimal amounts of chemicals in the room and discard those obsolete ones annually. Clean up chemical and other spills quickly and avoid overloading electrical outlets.

    Additional Safety

    • School must light building exits with exit signs and make them visible at all times. They should check emergency lights monthly and not keep hallway doors open with a door wedge. Fire doors require regular inspection to ensure they do not jam and are otherwise in proper working order.

      Bulletin boards should not take up more that 20 percent of wall area. School heating systems should have annual inspection and regular required maintenance. Flammable material should never be stored in boiler or furnace rooms.

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