SIMS - fire registers

[Oops_my_bad]

Hi All,

 

Is there a way to automate printing fire registers in SIMS? Normally I could schedule a report and print it but cannot find the same report as available in lesson monitor

 

Thanks

[Sivadam]

Would you want this linked to a heat sensor or a smoke censor, or both!

 

Seriously though - I have been trying to work out how to do it as well. So far I have also failed!

[Anorak]

A related question but not just for SIMS but all MIS systems - what facility is there, especially in a large High School, to know which members of staff are present ? - we have a visitors book , but only a card system on the wall for staff which not every one uses !!

[Sivadam]

We have a signing out book for all staff for if they leave the site during their normal hours. We have a list of Hours for those that do not work a 'normal day'. The Cover Manager has the overall view of those off sick.

 

Very unweildy but it does cover most scenarios.

 

We are trying to produce a better system at this moment in time but it ain't easy!

[bossman]

Proximity badges linked to database on server, as they enter the building they are marked in and as they leave the building they are marked out.

 

Nice web front end so can be given to remote access outside in case of evacuation.

 

Only thing is it relies on the teaching staff remembering to wear them.

[mattstevenson2005]

hi bossman, what do you use to do this with e.g. what software/hardware

 

i am very interested!!!!!

 

 

matt

[bossman]

@mattstevenson2005:

 

Apologies Matt but thought it was an ideas post by Oops_my_bad so was just coming up with the idea which in theory should work very similar to our biometrics dinner system but with proximity badges.

 

Cisco have something similar working in American hospitals but also allows video conferencing also, so that surgeons can communicate whilst operating to help each other out, fascinating stuff.

 

Just my imagination running wild did not mean to mislead.

[bossman]

@mattstevenson2005:

 

http://www.rfideas.com/downloads/RFIDeasCaseStudyUofCHospital.pdf

 

http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/global/asiapac/news/2007/pr_03-09.html

 

Have a look about I am sure there will be lots out there but deciding which one to go with will be the pita. :)

Edited November 5, 2009 by bossman

[vikpaw]

We don't print until the admin assistant in charge is happy all registers are in, and any updates that need doing are made, including the usual 10 mins late crew. Then it's a favorite report, ready to print.

 

Until then, the backup sheets would be used in case of emergency.

[Oops_my_bad]

Then it's a favorite report, ready to print.

Thanks vikpaw - could I ask which report you use for this?

[vikpaw]

Reports | Lesson Monitor | Whole Group Pupil Reports | Today's Register Report

 

It runs with no parameters and goes straight to a web page with page breaks by form. It shows all registers done for the day. We only need the Upper School ones, Primary still use book registers! So we just print the first 34 pages (onto scrap of course).

 

To make it quick, i have the side shortcuts panel still active with a custom panel of selected links down the left. The report is added to that, so that it's one click away whilst SIMS is open.

 

I'm sure with a bit of fiddling around to see what the system is doing it could be automated, perhaps with something like WinBatch or Auto-IT, but like i said, it's not too much bother for the person responsible for signing in lates to just hit print at 8.15.

[jonwitts]

How about running the report through commandreporter.exe on your sims server and scheduling the batch file through Windows Task scheduler - you could even get it to print for you too...

[PhilNeal]

The issue of fire procedures comes up every so often. This is a tricky area as electronic devices can't be used in the rain and can't be seen in the sun. Paper lists are out of date before the ink is dry.

 

The fire service will tell you that lists are not relevant as they will search the buildings what ever the list says. Children also disappear from school and just because a child was registered last lesson doesn't mean that they are there now.

 

I don't think there is a good answer.

[vikpaw]

How about running the report through commandreporter.exe on your sims server and scheduling the batch file through Windows Task scheduler - you could even get it to print for you too...

 

As the required time varies it's just as easy to do manually. The favorite reports panel on the homepage now makes it easier than when i last posted on the subject in this thread.

EDIT: I was confused the report wont appear on homepage panel so the previously described method of adding an internal link is still the quickest way to get the report to print. sorry.

 

The issue of fire procedures comes up every so often. This is a tricky area as electronic devices can't be used in the rain and can't be seen in the sun. Paper lists are out of date before the ink is dry.

 

The fire service will tell you that lists are not relevant as they will search the buildings what ever the list says. Children also disappear from school and just because a child was registered last lesson doesn't mean that they are there now.

 

I don't think there is a good answer.

 

There's always big debate on this one, it's been on these forums many times : http://www.edugeek.net/forums/mis-systems/36183-firedrill-sims.html#post337818

 

Ultimately, lets face it, the purpose of the fire register is purely to make management happy and feel like they are 'prepared' and 'doing the right thing', they will only ever be used during a drill!

 

In a real fire situation everyone will panic, registers wont be accurate or up to date, people (students, staff and guests) wont be where they are supposed to be, and the real services will hopefully do as Phil said and search the building as they should.

Edited February 16, 2010 by vikpaw
mistakenly made a false claim

[K.C.Leblanc]

We have a large site, we also share a campus with another school. This includes some building that are used by both schools. We also share a sixth form meaning some of the other school's students are in our lessons and visa versa.

 

We don't use registers at all, we instead have a system where designated people check various areas and report them as clear.

[vikpaw]

We have a large site, we also share a campus with another school. This includes some building that are used by both schools. We also share a sixth form meaning some of the other school's students are in our lessons and visa versa.

 

We don't use registers at all, we instead have a system where designated people check various areas and report them as clear.

 

That's such a good idea. I used to be at a split site school, the current one has 3 buildings plus an admin building.

 

So much better to have a solution that addresses the issue rather than chasing the unreachable goal of having perfect registers ready before you need them.

 

just out of curiosity, how many schools have sprinkler systems? I know the fire bell is not just for fires, but i mean in theory, that's more likely than terrorist attack / other danger, at least for you guys anyway!

 

We have 2 drills here, one for evacuate the building, and another for Lock-In: stay in and secure the room, lock the doors, hide under the tables. [i kid you not]. Imagine the problems we have when people can't tell the difference between the oh-so similar but slightly different bells! ARGH!

[K.C.Leblanc]

We have 2 drills here, one for evacuate the building, and another for Lock-In: stay in and secure the room, lock the doors, hide under the tables. [i kid you not]. Imagine the problems we have when people can't tell the difference between the oh-so similar but slightly different bells! ARGH!

 

Blimey,

 

We have a second warning which is stay where you are and wait for instructions, or if it happens at break return to your home room.

[p858snake]

The school I attended only had one sound for the normal bell, fire alarm and lockdown alarm. So you just waited around till a teacher same screaming down the hallways or outside areas if it wasn't in class.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I'm going suggest we hire this bunch.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZqiFhl377o&feature=related]YouTube- Stairway To Heaven - Bells[/ame]

[vikpaw]

The school I attended only had one sound for the normal bell, fire alarm and lockdown alarm. So you just waited around till a teacher same screaming down the hallways or outside areas if it wasn't in class.

 

LOL!

Well i checked with the Business Manager and during lock-in everyone goes to the nearest lockable room with tables (for hiding under!) clearly no roll can be called so afterwards, there should technically be a fire drill, or return to form room followed by roll-call. I don't see that happening.

 

What's worse is that my office is really just a desk in a corridor near a fire exit, the most unsafe place to be in a lock-in. The last lock-in practise, my nearest neighbour with an office locked herself in the room and wouldn't let me in in case i was a terrorist!!

[creese]

 

Ultimately, lets face it, the purpose of the fire register is purely to make management happy and feel like they are 'prepared' and 'doing the right thing', they will only ever be used during a drill!

 

In a real fire situation everyone will panic, registers wont be accurate or up to date, people (students, staff and guests) wont be where they are supposed to be, and the real services will hopefully do as Phil said and search the building as they should.

 

I totally agree. If there was a foolproof or even prefered procedure, it would be publicised nationwide. The fact that it isn't shows that it should be left to the professionals to do what they do best. The chances of the odd, unfortunate 'wandering' pupil being where the fire is would be a chance in a million.

 

Anyone going back in without proper equipment would most likely be increasing the casualty count and adding to the work of the fire brigade. Having been in a smoke/fume filled room I can assure you that you will not be thinking clearly.