DOORS THAT OPEN INWARD

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1934, Page 6

DOORS THAT OPEN INWARD

NEW SCHOOL AT INGLEWOOD. FIRE INSPECTOR’S OPINIONS. Great interest ..is being taken in the building of the new school at Inglewood. Already the framework is in position and the contractors state that it will be ready to be occupied during October. The plans allow for two exits for each room, which open inwards, direcuy on to the playgrounds. The rooms are not connected by a passageway. To go from one room to another it is necessary to go outside and along the verandah. Considerable discussion has taken place about the doors opening inwards. Many are of the opinion that this is not the best method should a panic arise during earthquake or fire. The fire inspector, Mr. E. Crossman, said that although the school is modern in every other way the opening of the doors inward is a mistake from a fire brigade’s point of view. “We axe informed,” said Mr. Crossman, “that the Central school building at New Plymouth is a modem building and all the doors open outward. By reports the Education Board is spending £245 or the erection of chimney and providing panic exits at the New Plymouth High Schools; if it is necessary for those chools to have the correct doors, why should not the Inglewood school have them?” The fire inspector has no power to interfere with any State depaitment buildings.