Lessons about fire safety learned from the blaze that ripped through Braeview Academy are being applied at schools across Dundee.
A new report into the service estate in the city – which includes nurseries, primaries, secondaries and children’s’ houses – will be considered by the children and families services committee on Monday January 24.
The committee will hear that following a huge outbreak at Braeview Academy in 2018, a review of bin store locations throughout Dundee has been undertaken in a bid to cut down on the potential for fire raising.
Braeview has had new Fire Risk Assessments each year since, followed up by fire audits.
The committee will be told that all schools have current Fire Risk Assessments in place. Many of these have been updated as part of the continual programme of assessments and the remaining schools are on a programme for updating over the next few months.
New fire detection systems have been installed to Craigie High School, Braeview Academy, Wallacetown Nursery, St Pius Primary School, Ardler Primary School, St Fergus Primary School and Ancrum Primary School.
A new system is also planned for St Mary’s Primary School.
All school fire alarm systems are now connected to a remote alarm receiver centres, who immediately alert the Fire Service.
Committee convener Councillor Stewart Hunter said: “While we have never been complacent about fire safety in our service buildings, the fire at Braeview has led to a review which has resulted in strengthened measures across the city.
“This annual look at the children and families estate provides an update on matters like this, as well as highlighting the continuing improvements that are being made.”
Councillor Hunter continued: “New nurseries have been opened recently and we are moving forward with the replacement for Braeview Academy and Craigie High School.
“The report also shows the maintenance schedule that will be undertaken on some of the older service estate buildings.
“We are continuing to invest for the future for the benefit of children, young people and communities across Dundee.”
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
