In the period between 2018 – 2021, there were 1,937 fires at educational premises in the UK, 411 of which were recorded as deliberate.
The safety of our children is paramount, and nowhere is this more evident than in our schools. These educational institutions serve as the foundation for our children's future, shaping their lives and providing a nurturing environment for growth and learning. Ensuring the safety of students and staff is a top priority, and one critical aspect of this safety is fire stopping. In this blog, we'll discuss the role of compartmentation in schools, highlight the misuse of materials like PU foam, and explore the significance of fire stopping in safeguarding these educational spaces.
Compartmentation: Creating Safe Zones
Compartmentation is an essential aspect of fire safety across schools and other educational premises. It involves dividing a building into smaller, fire-tight areas which can withstand flames and heat for a specified period, using a combination of tested systems and construction materials. To demonstrate how this works, we have provided an example floor plan at the end of this article, displaying the fire compartmentation design within a block of flats. The benefits of compartmentation include:
Fire Stopping: A Crucial Component of School Safety
Fire stopping is a major component in supporting effective compartmentation. It specifically relates to the sealing of openings/penetrations, linear gaps, cavities, and dampers, which may be present in a building where services pass from one compartment to another, at meeting edges of walls or ceilings, or within ventilation ducting. A system of fire-resisting or intumescent materials and devices is used in order to obstruct the spread of fire, smoke and toxic gases throughout a building. It's an indispensable element in school safety and plays a pivotal role in providing sufficient time for evacuation in case of a fire outbreak, whilst also offering first responders a safer environment from which to control the situation and save lives. Effective fire stopping within schools can:
Misuse of PU Foam - A Potential Hazard:
Polyurethane (PU) Foam is a versatile material commonly used for various construction and insulation purposes. However, its misuse in the context of fire stopping can have catastrophic consequences. PU Foam is highly flammable and emits toxic gases when ignited. Some of the potential issues with PU Foam in fire stopping applications include:
In summary, fire stopping and compartmentation are integral components of a school's fire safety strategy, working together to safeguard the lives of students, teachers, and staff while also protecting the institution itself. The misuse of materials like PU foam can have dire consequences, underscoring the importance of adhering to strict fire safety standards.
To ensure the safety of our schools, it's essential for educational institutions to invest in the regular inspection and maintenance of built-in fire safety components, and to educate their staff and students about fire safety procedures. By doing so, we can maintain a secure learning environment that protects our future generation and empowers them to thrive.
Schools are legally required to conduct organised and methodical Fire Risk Assessments on an annual basis. In addition, the Responsible Person should consider whether a specific compartmentation and fire stopping survey would be advisable in order to identify any breaches which may have occurred during the school's lifetime.
If you have any concerns over any of the topics we have discussed in this blog, or about the educational premises you work in/attend, please do not hesitate to
contact us.
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