Hints and suggestions on school architecture and hygiene : with plans and illustrations for the use of school trustees in Ontario / by J. George Hodgins.
- J. George Hodgins
- Date:
- 1886
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Hints and suggestions on school architecture and hygiene : with plans and illustrations for the use of school trustees in Ontario / by J. George Hodgins. Source: Wellcome Collection.
77/140 page 75
![staircases ; (4) and the outward opening [as is the law in Canada] of the main doors of entrance. . . . The fire drill ... is not only an effective safeguard against the danger of panics, but also a good gymnastic exercise. He quotes the report on the subject, made on the Rochester (N. Y.) schools, by the Springfield (Massachusetts) School Superintendent, as follows :—‘At a given signal (which is heard throughout the building) the pupils in every school room rise instantly to their feet, form in line, as they have been previously instructed, . . . and pass rapidly, in double lines, down the stairways and out into the yard,—those on the first floor going out first, and those on the second and third following in order. Upon reaching the yard they form into line again, facing the building, ready for orders. . . . This exercise ... is now used in many places as a pleasant and safe kind of recreation.’ . 2. “ In the schools of Vienna . . . this manoeuvre ... is executed in three different ways. ... In case of a fire in the neighbourhood (signal No. 1) the pupils place their books in their satchels, put on their outer garments, and leave the class room in groups of four. If the danger is imminent (signal No. 2) the books are left, the outer garments rapidly put on, and the class room is left as before. In case of extreme peril (signal No. 3) the books and clothing are left, and the exit is made immediately in groups.” 129. Mr. A. Scott Cruikshank, Head Master of the Hess School, Ham¬ ilton, thus describes the system of fire drill adopted in that school:— “ The alarm is either the continuous ringing of a bell, or the natural cry of 1 Fire ! Fire ! ! ’ Immediately boys are detailed to open doors and take their several stations. At the same time teachers are ordering the prompt dismissal of their classes. On the word, ‘ One,’ all stand ; ‘ Twothey form in line, two deep ; ‘ Three,’ they move out with the teacher, girls first, as the boys generally close up better in the rear. Instruc¬ tions are given to pupils that they are in no case to pass the teacher, whose brisk walk¬ ing keeps the smaller pupils running as fast as is consistent with safety. Arrangements are also made for each class to keep its own side of the stairway, and move on indepen¬ dently of other classes preceding or following. This prevents danger of crossing each other’s course, or otherwise interfering in the general haste to reach the door. Our three stories—600 pupils—have been cleared in less than two minutes.” 130. In the note to paragraph 85 I have pointed out the necessity for constructing doors and other entrances to open outwards, as required by law, and to make them, and the stairs and passages as wide as possible. The pupils should also be drilled to make rapid exit from the school house, so as to prevent a panic in case of fire, etc. Dr. Oldright, in the report for 1883 of the Provincial Board of Health, says :— “Good broad stairs, doors opening widely outwards, and efficient fire escapes, are some of the requirements needed. In this connection, I would desire to allude in terms of commendation to the action of some of our school authorities in exercising the pupils in fire drill, and would express the hope that this action may become more general, as also the systematic sanitary inspection of schools, etc.”](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30480449_0077.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
