A total of 13 Lancashire schools have been rapped for failing to meet fire safety standards over the past two years.
Two schools were handed alterations notices to ensure they complied with the Fire Safety Order 2005, while 13 others were found with inadequate fire safety protection.
Sacred Heart school, Jamea Masjid (Madrasah), St Patrick’s RC primary, Trumacar Community primary and Al Islah private school were all found to be performing "inadequate fire risk assessments.”
The freedom of information request, made by This is Lancashire, revealed that Al Islah school was failing in as many as six areas – including inadequate emergency routes and exits.
Fire investigators found that staff at the school were not trained adequately to cope in the event of a fire, and that the building’s fire alarms and emergency lighting had not been maintained in accordance with legislation.
However, Richard Stott, general manager at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, told This is Lancashire that the findings were “minor” and that the schools did not receive prohibition or restriction notices.
He said: “Schools in Lancashire generally have an excellent fire safety record and meet the requirements of the law.
“Inevitably however with such a large number of schools and varying standards and ages of building stock some have been issued with formal or informal notices in order to address any shortfalls.
“In the majority of these cases, the area of non-compliance involved minor faults and did not put pupils and staff at serious risk."
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