asked the Minister for Education whether he will take steps to compel all schools with fifty or more pupils to install adequate fire fighting equipment; and if he will prescribe regular fire drill for pupils and staff in such schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fire Fighting Equipment in Schools.
25.
Mr. Ryan
The regulations for the recognition or continued recognition of National Schools require that a suitable fireguard be provided therein for each open fireplace and that adequate protection against burning or scalding be afforded in cases where stoves or other heating apparatus are used.
Grants are made by my Department towards the cost of the provision of such fireguards in vested schools.
A circular was issued in October, 1953, to all Managers of national schools requesting them to make arrangements to ensure that all fires in schools are properly extinguished before the premises are vacated for the day. Attention was also called to the danger of leaving articles of clothing, stationery or other materials on electric storage heaters.
In the circumstances the need for special fire-fighting equipment or for formal fire drill for the pupils of national schools does not arise.
Vocational schools, which are also non-residential, are the property of the Local Authorities and the responsibility for the safety of the pupils in attendance rests with these Authorities.
Secondary schools, which may be either residential or day schools, are privately owned institutions and the responsibility for the safety of the pupils in attendance therein devolves upon the Managers and the owners.
It is understood that in the residential schools generally adequate safety precautions in the matter of fire escapes are provided and the buildings are usually centrally heated.
Mr. Ryan
In view of the fact that the regulations made under the law prescribe fire-fighting equipment for cinemas, halls and such like places where there may not be open fireplaces such as have been described by the Minister, would he not consider it appropriate to lay down, perhaps in consultation with the Department of Local Government, certain minimum requirements regarding fire-fighting equipment for schools with or without open fires? It would be better to do this now before a tragedy forces us to do so.
Having regard to the fact that these schools are used in the daytime it is considered that the existing regulations are adequate.