FIRE PRECAUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18895, 18 December 1924, Page 13

FIRE PRECAUTIONS.

NELSuN STREET SCHOOL.

ALTERATIONS TO BUILDING.

The lack of facilities lor the speedy exit of children of Nelson Street school in case of fire was the subject of a stronglyworded report from Superintendent Wilson, of the Auckland Fire Brigade, to tho Auckland Education Board yesterday. Tho report stated that the school was visited in connection with instruction of the children in fi? e drill. " The school as constructed does not lend itself to adequate provision f'«r the speedy exit of tho children should fire occur," Mr. Wilson said. "In the north and south wings the children are emptied into a 'bottle-neck,' and, should an outbreak occur, there would most certainly be a calamity. Tho small children in the north-west room require to pass through another class-room before tlipy can enter the lobby where tho final exit, is situated. The children from two other class-rooms would also go there, and if a fire occurred in the lobby they would be trapped and their only means of escape would be the windows. This, with small children, is out of the question." The report concluded by suggesting that the board's architect should report on tho question of remodelling the class-rooms so that each class would have a separate entrance to the playground. Fire drill could then be carried out more readily, and in case of fire, the children could make their escape without danger. Tho board has already instructed its architect to effect tho necessary alterations.