Storage Concerns

By Alan Kavanaugh

The requirements / recommended practices for Storage are taken from the Provincial Fire Codes. The rule of thumb for Storage is no combustible storage in service rooms, mechanical rooms or other similar storage areas. This includes mechanical, electrical, furnace, boiler, gas meter, server, and other related areas.
The purpose is to prevent the increase of “Fire Loading” in areas where ignition sources/heat sources are present

Other Concerns

Access should only be provided to certain areas of the school to designated personnel. This could include but is not limited to, mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, boiler rooms, and other related areas.
Chemical storage areas should be continually inventoried, the outdated chemical should be removed. Chemicals no longer needed or used in schools should be removed.
Compressed gases, flammable and combustible liquids should be secured and stored as designated by relevant codes and standards.
Damaged equipment and stock should be disposed of as necessary.
Storage should be prohibited in mechanical rooms, boiler/furnace rooms, electrical rooms, and other related areas.
Old books and materials, no longer used should be disposed of or recycled.

Things to discuss – Inventory Control

How much of a product do we need?
Can we get by with less?
Is there a local supplier that will deliver as needed?
Can we centralize storage?
Are there other areas within the district that can be utilized for overflow storage?
Can we dispose of these materials?
Can we develop a storage plan within the school?