School Fire Alarms

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31660, 22 April 1968, Page 20

School Fire Alarms

The Christchurch Civil Defence Committee will be asked to meet the Canterbury Education Board to discuss the efficiency of Are alarm systems in schools and general safety precautions for children. Mr R. K. Milne said at a board meeting there had been recent criticism of the civil defence organisation but it could help with advice. Many older schools, particularly in Christchurch, had inadequate fire alarms but the board was told improvement must come from maintenance funds, which were also inadequate. I’ would cost thousands of dollars to put things right But first civil defence advice on needs and on safety and emergency precautions generally would be helpful. Mr A. Manning, chairman of the building committee, said the problem was chiefly in Christchurch. Timaru schools were well equipped and civil defence authorities had been most co-operative. Mr Manning said his committee proposed to list first two-stbrey schools requiring urgent attention, and then others in priority order. The chairman of the board (Mr A. S. Murray) said he did not want a lot of alarmist statements to be taken too literally.