Health and Safety!!

[daveprince]

I work in a school with 5/6 yr olds. there are 2 fire doors between me and cloakroom / outdoor play area. I wedge the doors because a) don't like being shut off b) not all children can open the doors c) can t see or hear what's going on when children working outside room. Site Manager goes MAD - What is actual law stuff and cannot see why 2 doors with only very small area between.

[factor-fiction]

Fire doors need to be kept shut

[IggyB]

if you feel you really need to have the doors open for operational and comfort needs you could discuss getting the dorgard devises with the site manager - these are small wedges that connect to the bottom of the doors, when the fire alarm sounds this removes the wedge and let the doors swing shut. These are often used in offices and such but there may be other health and safety issue using them in schools - site manager would prob be able to assist though.

[IggyB]

for the legal frame work and guidance re fire in schools see the BB100
http://www.dcsf.gov.u...05%20-%20Complete.pdf

[Nosha123]

you cannot force the doors to stay open... and the site manager is correct to be mad with you!!!
If there was a fire - then it would sweep far quicker thru the building with fire doors propped open than if they were shut... They are there to do a job and are a legal requirement to protect the children and teachers!
You are breaking the rules by keeping them open - and I'm sure the parents wouldnt be very pleased to hear that either!

[another-view]

Why would you expect children to open fire doors? The whole point of them there is to stay shut. If they need opening, a responsible adult should do it.