The Sindh government has ordered fire safety audits of school buildings across the province to assess existing safety arrangements and identify potential fire hazards at educational institutions.
Under the new initiative, information collected during the audits will be uploaded to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) webpage.
The move is part of the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen fire prevention and emergency response measures in schools and ensure that educational institutions maintain appropriate safety systems.
School Buildings to Undergo Fire Safety Audits
According to a notification, the School Education Department has appointed Deputy Secretary Ashraf Hussain Ansari as the focal person responsible for coordinating matters related to the fire safety audits.
The designated focal person will coordinate the audit-related process and facilitate the collection and submission of information concerning fire safety arrangements at schools.
The data gathered through the audits will provide authorities with information about the safety measures currently available in school buildings across Sindh.
Sindh Strengthens Fire Safety Measures
The latest decision follows several steps taken by the provincial government to improve fire safety at educational institutions.
In August, the Sindh Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions directed privately managed schools to ensure that required fire prevention and safety systems remain functional at all times.
The directives covered several areas of fire prevention, emergency evacuation and staff preparedness.
Private schools were instructed to install and regularly test fire alarms, smoke detectors and appropriate fire extinguishers on every floor and at other critical locations.
Emergency Exits Must Remain Clear
Schools were also directed to ensure that emergency exits, staircases and evacuation routes remain unlocked and clearly marked.
These routes must also be properly illuminated and kept free from obstructions so that students and staff can leave buildings quickly during an emergency.
The instructions are particularly important in school environments where large numbers of students may need to evacuate simultaneously in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Electrical and High-Risk Areas to Be Inspected
The earlier directives also called for periodic inspections of areas considered vulnerable to fire hazards.
These include electrical wiring, switchboards, laboratories, kitchens and generator rooms, among other potentially hazardous locations.
Regular inspections are intended to help identify safety problems before they result in accidents.
Schools are expected to pay particular attention to electrical systems and other areas where equipment, heat sources or combustible materials could increase the risk of fire.
Schools Asked to Conduct Fire Drills
Educational institutions have also been instructed to display updated evacuation plans and emergency instructions.
Schools must conduct at least three fire evacuation drills during each academic year and maintain records of those exercises.
Regular drills can help students and staff become familiar with evacuation procedures and emergency routes.
The requirements also place emphasis on maintaining proper records so that schools can demonstrate that the required exercises have been conducted.
Staff to Receive Emergency Training
The safety directives further require teaching and non-teaching staff to receive training in fire emergency response, evacuation procedures and basic first aid.
Training is intended to help staff respond appropriately during emergencies and assist students in evacuating safely.
The combination of fire safety equipment, clear evacuation routes, regular drills and staff training forms part of the broader safety framework being implemented at schools across Sindh.
Fire Safety Data to Be Uploaded to PDMA Website
The latest audit initiative will allow authorities to collect information about the fire safety arrangements available at school buildings across the province.
The collected data will be uploaded to the PDMA web page, providing a centralized record of the audit findings.
The initiative will also give the provincial authorities a clearer picture of safety arrangements at educational institutions and help identify areas where additional measures may be required.
With the fire safety audits now ordered, schools across Sindh are expected to come under greater scrutiny regarding emergency preparedness, fire prevention systems and evacuation arrangements.
