Sindh issues fire safety guidelines for private schools

The Sindh Education Department has issued a set of fire safety guidelines for private schools across the province.

According to the guidelines, private schools have been instructed to ensure the installation of fire alarms, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on their premises.

The department has also stressed that emergency exits and staircases must be kept open, clearly marked and free of obstructions at all times.

The guidelines further require schools to conduct regular inspections of their electrical systems and display emergency evacuation plans at prominent locations within school buildings.

Under the directives, schools must carry out fire drills at least twice a year and ensure that teachers and staff receive proper training in fire safety procedures. Special safety arrangements have also been made mandatory for students with special needs, along with the identification of designated assembly points.

The education department has warned that strict action will be taken against schools that fail to implement the prescribed safety measures.

The move comes in the wake of the deadly Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, after which provincial authorities have stepped up fire safety efforts across the province.