Operators and owners of nursery schools across Qatar were yesterday told to strictly follow environmental guidelines and health and safety precautions to ensure adequate protection of the children in their care. Representatives of some 90 schools were offered tips on safeguarding children against any form of hazards around the nurseries at a workshop organised by the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Family Development department in co-operation with the Supreme Council of Health and the Civil Defence department. Making a presentation at the event, Civil Defence’s Mohamed Ibrahim Sulaiti urged participants to ensure compliance with school building safety requirement while mentioning that a number of schools have been found wanting in that aspect. “During inspections, we have discovered that some nurseries are not following the general safety precautions, especially those who are converting villas to accommodate their nurseries. And for this category, we usually issue them with a map on how to convert the building and make it meet specifications,” he noted. Sulaiti also maintained that nurseries should conform to fire safety regulation and evacuation rules such as having fire safety equipment like extinguisher, two exits both in front and at the back of the building with doors opening outwards, having kitchen situated outside the building and avoiding locating children’s play area in the first floor. “Entrances and exits of buildings should be kept clear at all times to avoid commotion during emergencies such as fire outbreak,” he maintained. “Part of safety requirement that is very important for evacuation is to ensure that each child has a space of up to 3.3sqm and not exceeding eight children in a 25sqm room. Fire equipment should be duly certified and endorsed by the Civil Defence and they must be changed whether used or not after 400 days,” he explained. Gulf Times

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