SECTION 17-3. EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES

17-311. Drills.

17-3111. Fire exit drills shall be conducted regularly in accordance with the applicable provisions of the following paragraphs.

17-3112. There shall be at least 8 fire exit drills a year in schools through grade 12. In climates where the weather is severe during the winter months, weekly drills should be held at the beginning of the school term to complete the required number of drills before cold weather so as not to endanger the health of the pupils.

17-3113. Drills shall be executed at different hours of the day or evening; during the changing of classes; when the school is at assembly; during the recess or gymnastic periods; etc., so as to avoid distinction between drills and actual fires. If a drill is called when pupils are going up and down the stairways, as during the time classes are changing the pupils shall be instructed to form in file and immediately proceed to the nearest available exit in an orderly manner.

17-3114. Every fire exit drill shall be an exercise in school management for principal and teachers, with the chief purpose of every drill complete control of the class so that the teacher will form its ranks quickly and silently, halt it, turn it, or direct it as desired. Great stress shall be upon the execution of each drill in a brisk, quiet, and orderly manner. Running shall be prohibited. In case there are pupils incapable of holding their places in a line moving at reasonable speed, provisions shall be made to have them taken care of by the more sturdy pupils, moving independently of the regular line or march.

17-3115. Monitors shall be appointed from the more mature pupils to assist in the proper execution of all drills. They shall be instructed to hold open doors in the line of march or to close doors where necessary to prevent spread of fire or smoke, per 5-2134. There shall be at least 2 substitutes for each appointment so as to provide for proper performance in case of absence of the regular monitors. The searching of toilet or other rooms shall be the duty of the teachers or other members of the staff. If the teachers are to do the searching, it should be done after they have joined their classes to the preceding lines.

17-3116. As all drills simulate an actual fire condition, pupils shall not be allowed to obtain clothing after the alarm is sounded, even when in home rooms, on account of the confusion which would result in forming the lines and the danger of tripping over dragging apparel.

17-3117. Each class or group shall proceed to a predetermined point outside the building and remain there while a check is made to see that all are accounted for, leaving only when a recall signal is given to return to the building or when dismissed. Such points shall be sufficiently far away from the building and from each other as to avoid danger from any fire in the building, interference with fire department operations, or confusion between different classes or groups.

17-118. Where necessary for drill lines to cross roadways, signs reading: "STOP! SCHOOL FIRE DRILL" or equivalent shall be carried by monitors to the traffic intersecting points in order to stop traffic during the period of the drill.

17-312. SIGNALS

17-3121. All fire exit drill alarms shall be sounded on the fire alarm system and not on the signal system used to dismiss classes.

17-3122. Whenever any of the school authorities determine that an actual fire exists, they shall immediately call the local fire department using the public fire alarm system or such other facilities as are available.

17-3123. In order that pupils will not be returned to a building which is burning, the recall signal shall be one that is separate and distinct from and cannot be mistaken for any other signals. Such signals may be given by distinctive colored flags or banners. If the recall signal is electrical, the punch buttons or other controls shall be kept under lock, the key for which shall be in the possession of the principal or some other designated person in order to prevent a recall at a time when there is a fire. Regardless of the method of recall, the means of giving the signal shall be kept under a lock.

17-313. INSPECTION

17-3131. It shall be the duty of principals and teachers to inspect all exit facilities daily in order to make sure that all stairways, doors, and other exits are in proper condition.

17-3132. Open plan buildings require extra surveillance to ensure that exit paths are maintained clear of obstruction and are obvious.