Parents of children at Brimsdown School have raised fears over fire safety standards in classroom accommodation used by infants.

Their worries centre on two linked classrooms separate from the main body of the school, neither of which has a fire exit.

They are calling for the classrooms to be replaced, and have written to Enfield North MP Joan Ryan to get her support.

At an OFSTED inspection of the school last December, inspectors noted "a high level of concern from parents" over evacuation procedures from the building.

But Enfield Council says the buildings are safe and meet current fire regulations, and money is not yet available to replace them.

Parents also point out that the classrooms, known as HORSA buildings, were supposed to be temporary when they were built more than 30 years ago.

Sue Roberts, who has three children at the school in Green Street, said: "Parents, governors and teachers are all worried about this. Our children are being placed at risk day in and day out.

"Teachers have been told that if there is a fire and the exit blocked, they have to lift the children up and get them out through the window. We're talking about 30 six-year-olds in a class. It's not very feasible."

In a letter to parents, the council's education department admitted that the huts are "outdated and unsatisfactory," but said they are safe.

Under fire regulations for school buildings, a fire exit is not obligatory in a room unless the distance to the nearest exit is more than 12 metres, or more than 60 people use the room.

A council spokeswoman said: "The huts do meet fire regulations. However we are aware of the problem and a feasibility study has been carried out to see what can be done.''

She said the council wanted to carry out the work when money became available for it.

And she added that all new school buildings are now fitted with an extra exit, whether or not fire regulations require it.~

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