IN CASE OF FIRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14156, 7 March 1908, Page 13

IN CASE OF FIRE.

AUK OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAFE?

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, March 6. tho terrible calamity as tho result of lho lire in llu; Cleveland School hns caused I lie Post, to make some inquiries as to the provision in local schools in case of fire. In tho Wellington College-an old twostorey wooden building—Mr Kirlh (the head master) walked to' a corridor and quietly turned a switch.' That switch set live tire alarms (in different, parte of the building) ringing, and there are six switches, each or which is capable <i( ringing all tho alarms from different, pans. At present 55 scholars are residing on tho premises. From the upper storey there are about 10 exterior lire ladders leading to the ground in addition to a wide bridge, connecting with a corridor and leading on to tlw high ground at the back. The scholars are regularly put through lire practice, and each evening Mr Firth personally visits every room .in the building. As far as is humanly .possible, Mr Firth appears to have taken every precaulion to guard against lire. There are jio hydrants in llm railage, but chemical sprinklers lmvo hoon provided. In the case of an outbreak the seholara could be got out in safety in a very short space of time. Mr Firth has recognised that if a fire did occur probably no brigade in the world could save the building once the flaniea bad obtained a hold. The structure is very old, and would burn like tinder. It is evident that Mr Firth has given the question careful consideration, and has concent rated his attention on making provision for the safety of the scholars.

In the Government schools it was found thai- all the doors open inwards. The danger in case of fire in some of these schools is apparently considerable. The Mount Cook Infant School, for instance, with a roll of 400, is an unsuilaWo wooden building, erected about 30 years ago. Practically speaking, there are only two doors in the whole place that could be used as exits. The head mistress thinks she could control tho children and avert a -panio in the case of an outbreak of fire, but obviously, says the Post reporter, this is not an excuse for the Education Board not making bolter provision for the safety of the children. The doors loading into the playground arc very narrow. In other schools the exits are not adequate ill case of fire. ( At the Tc Aro School a number of young children aro in classrooms upstairs, and the only convenient exit, from these rooms is the staircase. • If this way were barredj the children would be obliged to get out on to the roof of tho adjoining one-etorey portion, and would require to leap to the ground. Hero the youth with the cricket bat and football flourishes. The windows arc all carefully wiro-ncttctl and set in wooden frames, whioh are securely bolted •from the outside. These windows could not bo used in the case of an outbreak of lire.

The Girls' High Sohool is a large twostorey wooden building. There is a large staircase from the upper floor to -the ft ground floor, which is wide enough for four girls to walk down abreast, giving plenty- of room bstween the wall and the handrail. Miss M'Lcan ea.id no fire drill was practised in tho school, but she did not think the girls would got beyond control in case of emergency. When asked if there were any fire-fighting appliances, Mies M'Leau said there was a hydrant. This was installed near the main entrance, but when - inspected by the reporter there was no hose attaohed. It appears that the hose is used for watering the lawns and cleaning the windows, and is sometimes detached.

At the Normal School tho head master, said that earthquakes were more to bo feared than lire - ir. this school. Of (he effect of this upon young children Mr Webb bad bad experience. Tho school was partly of brick, w.ith all. wooden partitions, and when the shock occurred Mr-Webb insisted upon the children retaining _ their seats, so as to allay any panic. This was successfully accomplished, and the youngsters were .kept in hand from first to last.