Header:
PENNSYLVANIA STATUTES
TITLE 24. EDUCATION
CHAPTER 1. PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949
ARTICLE XV. TERMS AND COURSES OF STUDY
(B) PRESCRIBED COURSES AND INSTRUCTION
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
§ 15-1517. Fire and emergency evacuation drills
(a) In all public schools where fire-escapes, appliances for the extinguishment of fires, or proper and sufficient exits in case of fire or panic, either or all, are required by law to be maintained, fire drills shall be periodically conducted, not less than one a month, by the teacher or teachers in charge, under rules and regulations to be promulgated by the district superintendent under whose supervision such schools are. In such fire drills the pupils and teachers shall be instructed in, and made thoroughly familiar with, the use of the fire-escapes, appliances and exits. The drill shall include the actual use thereof, and the complete removal of the pupils and teachers, in an expeditious and orderly manner, by means of fire-escapes and exits, from the building to a place of safety on the ground outside.
(b) District superintendents are hereby required to see that the provisions of this section are faithfully carried out in the schools over which they have charge.
(c) Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($ 25) nor more than five hundred dollars ($ 500), or to undergo imprisonment in the county jail for not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days, or both.
(d) All schools using or contracting for school buses for the transportation of school children shall conduct on school grounds two emergency evacuation drills on buses during each school year, the first to be conducted during the first week of the first school term and the second during the month of March, and at such other times as the chief school administrator may require. Each such drill shall include the practice and instruction concerning the location, use and operation of emergency exit doors and fire extinguishers and the proper evacuation of buses in the event of fires or accidents.
Bus operators shall be provided with proper training and instructions to enable them to carry out the provisions of this subsection and may be required to attend classes and drills in connection therewith.
On or before the tenth day of April of each year, each district superintendent shall certify to the Department of Public Instruction that the emergency evacuation drills herein required have been held.
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