NCJ Number
51426
Journal
SCHOOL SECURITY Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1976) Pages: 1-8
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES FOR GUARDING AGAINST ARSON AND MINIMIZING FIRE DAMAGES ARE PRESENTED IN A NEWSLETTER FOR EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS CONCERNED WITH SCHOOL SECURITY PROBLEMS.
Abstract
ARSON IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF CRIMES INFLICTED ON SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WITH THE COST OF SCHOOL FIRES AMOUNTING TO OVER $100 MILLION ANNUALLY. ARSON STRIKES IN ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FROM THE INNER CITY TO RURAL AREAS. ALTHOUGH ARSON CAUSES GREAT MONETARY LOSS, THE LOSS FROM DISRUPTION TO EDUCATION MAY BE EVEN GREATER. LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT WHY VANDALS SET FIRE TO SCHOOLS. A SURVEY BY THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) REVEALED THE FOLLOWING FACTS: 76 PERCENT OF SCHOOL FIRES ARE CAUSED BY ARSON; THE MOST POPULAR PLACE FOR STARTING A FIRE IS THE CLASSROOM, FOLLOWED BY STORAGE ROOMS AND OFFICES; AND THE PRIME TIME FOR STARTING SCHOOL FIRES IS BETWEEN 10 P.M. AND 6 A.M. THE NFPA'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GUARDING SCHOOL FIRES INCLUDE KEEPING UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS OUT OF THE BUILDING, MAKING CERTAIN THAT FIRE DETECTION AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ARE WORKING, IMMEDIATELY REPAIRING OR REPLACING FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING AND EQUIPMENT, PROPERLY MAINTAINING ALL GAS-BURNING EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES AND GAS PIPING, USING GOOD HOUSEKEEPING PRACTICES, AND INFORMING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF ANY SPECIAL PROBLEMS FIREFIGHTERS WILL FACE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SHOULD ALSO BE MINDFUL OF STRUCTUAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SPREAD OF FIRES. PROTECTION AGAINST ARSON SHOULD INCORPORATE BOTH EFFORTS TO GUARD AGAINST INTRUSION AND INSTALLATION OF FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT. SPECIFIC STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS RELEVANT TO FIRE SAFETY ARE CITED, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM OF FIRE SAFETY IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES. TWO CASE STUDIES OF SCHOOL FIRES ARE RECOUNTED. THE NEWSLETTER ALSO TOUCHES ON SCHOOL SECURITY TRENDS, THE USE OF TWO-WAY RADIOS TO AVERT SCHOOL BUS HIJACKINGS, AND SCHOOL SECURITY PRODUCTS. (LKM)