OXFORD — New fire alarm systems have been installed and tested at Oxford Hills School District elementary schools.
“Everything went well,” said Director of Facilities Dave Marshall of the tests last week in the Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris, Rowe Elementary School in Norway and the Waterford, Harrison and Otisfield elementary schools where the new systems are.
Marshall said the fire chiefs in each of the communities, plus a representative from the manufacturer of the equipment and the electrical contractors were able to meet at each school and review how the systems work.
“It was good to have them all together. They got their questions answered,” he said.
The chiefs all received training on how to operate the systems, including how to shut them off, something they would have to do on the weekends if the alarms went off.
The work was paid for with a $1.1 million state Revolving Renovation Fund program that the district received in 2008. Sixty percent of the money is from the state and the rest is local financed through a no-interest loan, Marshall said.
The grant has been used to address fire safety issues along with other health, safety, Americans With Disabilities Act and air quality issues within the district’s buildings. The projects are part of a 10-year capital improvement plan.
Marshall said the systems were upgraded with new strobe lights, which not only addressed American With Disability Act issues but brought the systems up to current code.
The strobes can be voice activated in areas such as the gymnasium and cafeteria and are installed lower in height than the old ones.
The old system could be heard before but lacked the strobe lights, Marshall said.
The Oxford Hills Middle School and Oxford Elementary School had updated fire systems and testing conducted last spring, he said.
The Paris Elementary School, Hebron Station School and high school have already been outfitted with updated fire systems.
Marshall said staff and students have 10 fire drills at each school every school year as part of their fire safety training.
Supporting Sponsor for the Advertiser Democrat
Keeping communities informed by supporting local news. norwaysavings.bank
Comments are no longer available on this story