Fire Safety

Fireand Safety Definitions.pdf

As per State Statute R277-400-7-B, and Article 13, Section 1303.3.2.(1) of the Utah Fire Code

During each school year, elementary schools shall conduct a total of nine drills.
Secondary schools shall conduct a total of four drills. The first drill of the year must be a fire drill conducted within the first ten days of the new school year. A fire drill is also mandated within ten days after return from the winter break. We suggest that you do an earthquake drill in conjunction with the "Great State Shake Out" in April.

Drills shall include the complete evacuation of all persons from the school building or portion thereof used for educational purposes. An exception may be made for the staff member responsible for notifying the local fire department and handling emergency communications.

Fire drills shall be initiated by activation of the school's fire alarm system at one of the pull stations.

All schools shall conduct at least one mandatory "lock down" drill during the school year. This will also be included, in writing, in your Emergency Preparedness Plan, the procedures for lock down notification, method used for accountability, communications during a lock down and the method used for releasing a lock down. In the past, local law enforcement have been very helpful and willing to participate in lock down drills.

Each school shall conduct an Emergency Preparedness Week prior to April 30 of each school year.

Call Building Controls 402-7680 prior to a planned drill

If a construction related or other false alarm causes a complete evacuation to take place, get on Encore to get credit for a drill.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please call 402-5307.

Fire inspections will be conducted at all District facilities on a semi-annual basis. Most of these inspections will be in conjunction with or conducted by the local jurisdiction. Areas that will be a main focus of the inspection will be:

Corridor obstructions
Combustible wall decorations
The use of hold-open wedges and doors
Housekeeping and clutter in classrooms
Combustible loading and storage
Storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids
Fire rated doors, assemblies and hardward
Any other unsafe condition
Remember, by law, all fires must be reported, no matter how small. Report fires to the local fire department or Scott Zigich, 402-5144

The District has a fire extinguisher training video provided by State Risk Management. There is a copy at each school. We are hoping that each school will use it at one of their faculty meetings during school year.

In the past, local fire departments have been very helpful for hands-on training. Contact them for information. Also, the State Fire Marshal's office will provide extinguisher training.

Effective immediately, any open burning (bonfires) shall not be permitted at any District facility as per the State Fire Marshal, State Division of Risk Management and the State Division of Environmental Quality.  UCA 19-2-114 states that the allowable burning must be incident to horticultural or agricultural operations, burning of ditch banks incident to clearing for irrigation purposes, and the controlled heating of orchards.
Bonfires do not fall into these categories.

The State Fire Marshal's Office and the Division of Risk Management both agree that the use of bonfires as part of a celebration creates an unreasonable risk and liability for the State, and there are alternative ways to have a visual effect provided, such as a pyrotechnic display under the control of a licensed pyrotechnician.

The use of bonfires in a celebration atmosphere also sends a very wrong message to the participants. Fire should not be connected to a celebration of something that has an otherwise positive outcome.

Also, the practice of writing "put downs" on a piece of paper and then burning them shall be prohibited. This is also sending the wrong message to children for fire safety.

Please start now to look at alternative methods of conducting these celebrations and activities.

Decorations in corridors and exit ways shall be limited to 4' X 8' (32 sq. ft.) in total area, with 50 lineal feet of separation between decorations.

Decorations in classrooms shall be limited in area 25% of the total agrigate wall surfaces. No restrictions apply to flame retarded decorations.

When placing decorations, every attempt should be made to break up fuel continuity, i.e., provide spacing between combustibles so that a fire is not able to continue from one end of the room or corridor to the other.

Enclosures built of combustible decoration material, to include paper mache', plastic, chicken wire, paper and cardboard, are strictly prohibited. Use of fish netting, or other flame retardant decorative materials may be used in moderation inside rooms, provided the above guidelines are followed and supervision is assured.

When storing items on shelves, please make sure you leave an 18 inch clearance between the item and the ceiling in buildings equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system. The clearance for buildings without an automatic fire sprinkler is 24 inches. Please do not store items on top of cabinets and cupboards. Also storing items in these higher areas become a dangerous hazard in the event of an earthquake.

Electric battery candles are preferred.

Open flame candles shall not be used

Candle making in all District facilities shall be strictly prohibited.

Open flame devices used in conjunction with theatrical performances are allowed to be used when adequate safety precautions have been taken.

Devices shall be approved or permitted by the Fire Marshal and the District Risk Manager.

Pyrotechnic devices shall not be used in any auditorium or multi-purpose room unless the stage/auditorium is equipped with a fully automatic fire sprinkler system.

Pyrotechnic devices shall be controlled by a certified pyrotechnician that has posted the required insurance.

Use of all pyrotechnic devices shall be authorized by the District Risk Manager, Fire Marshal.

Flammable liquids shall never be dispensed inside any District building.

Space heaters, gas or electric, shall be prohibited in District facilities, except in emergency situations, with the authorization of the District Risk Manager.
The only approved method of alternative heat is the use of the :Foot Buddies" or "Kozy Legs".

Custodians have been instructed to confiscate or disable any unauthorized space heaters.

Authorized space heaters shall not be left plugged in, or left unattended.

Authorized space heaters shall be equipped with a safety switch to automatically shut-off the heater if it is tipped over.

Combustible materials shall be kept at a safe distance from the heater.

Gas or fuel fired space heaters are strictly prohibited for indoor use.

Hot plates are an ignition source that is not allowed in classrooms, Personal appliances such as but not limited to microwaves and refrigerators are not to be brought into any District classrooms.

The Department of Health does not allow food preparation of any kind in schools except for in school kitchens that are provided with the required equipment and fixtures, and are staffed by certified food handlers, and have been issued the proper permits. Faculty rooms are already equipped for the staff to prepare their personal meals.

Microwaves, hot plates, and refrigerators in classrooms constitute the means for food preparation, which is not allowed. All food preparation where students are involved is to be conducted in the school kitchen. The Home Economics class would be an exception since it is part of the curriculum. Coordinate these activities with the kitchen staff.

Deep fat frying of any kind such as scones and french fries shall be prohibited. This poses a serious fire hazard and risk of bodily injury.

Please advise the PTA and parents with otherwise good intentions that cooking in classrooms and bringing food prepared at home cannot, unfortunately, be allowed.

Extension cords are in violation of the International Fire Code, and the Occupational Safety and Health regulations when used as a substitute for permanent wiring. They shall be used only with portable equipment. The cord shall be of compatible ampacity with the equipment and maintained in good condition. All cords shall be grounded. (three prongs) Multi-plug devices that do not meet the Electrical Code shall not be used. Power bars such as surge protectors are for low voltage equipment only. i.e., computers, adding machines, etc...

These little "zip" cords you can buy at Walmart for $2.00 must not be brought into the school. They make great parking lots out of schools. (they cause fires)

During special events and holidays, temporary wiring is allowed for the duration of that event or holiday, not to exceed 90 days. Such wiring shall be in "new" condition. Do not cover extension cords with rugs or carpets. Splicing of any kind is not allowed. Any defective or damaged wiring shall immediately be removed and discarded.

If you are having worries about your child's curiosity with fire or if your child has been experimenting with fire, there is help out there. Most fire departments have specially trained personnel to deal with this and are more than happy to assist you. contacting your local fire department is the first step. Don't wait until it is too late.

Click this link for more information concerning the Juvenile Firesetting Intervention Program