DOZENS of fire safety violations have been found in a Clydebank school, according to reports exposed for the first time by the Post.

The damning assessments carried out in recent months show alarms and detectors dangling from walls, exposed wiring, and incomplete evacuation notices.

A whistleblower approached the Post with concerns that the reports have been buried within West Dunbartonshire Council, hidden from councillors and even head teachers of the schools.

Edinbarnet Primary was found to have a staggering 51 violations in a report which includes photos taken on November 29 last year.

One of the issues is that the school’s front doors have magnetic locks installed which “do not release on a fire alarm activation”.

There is no detection for the paper store room and electrical cupboard, and insufficient detection in the gym hall, school office corridor and in storage areas and offices.

Sounders and detectors are shown in the report hanging off walls and require to be “refixed”. And there were heat detectors in some spaces where there should be smoke detectors.

The report states: “There are numerous non-compliance issues that are required to be rectified. We would highlight this system as a red.”

West Dunbartonshire Council said last night an inspection by Scottish Fire and Rescue was satisfied with the safety at Edinbarnet.

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, who had not seen the report until passed a copy by the Post, said it was “quite an eye opener”.

He said: “I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the appropriate officers to get an update and assurances regarding this school and others across the local authority area.

“Our pupils, parents and staff need to know that all is being done to address these issues, if not already addressed.”

The whistleblower, identifying themselves only as “Vulcan Crier”, warned staff have gone on sick leave due to stress because of a “lack of action” at the authority.

They said only about 20-30 people might be aware of the reports.

In Alexandria Community Education Centre, there were rooms without detectors, including in the electrical cupboard and in and around the games hall.

There were also no detectors in the staff toilets or kitchen corridor, nor in the stairwell to the boiler house.

The boiler room itself has no fire alarm detection or alarm.

In all there were 18 “issues” and a “red” level of concern at the centre.

At last month’s WDC audit committee meeting, council leader Jonathan McColl specifically asked whether a report referring to “concerns raised about fire alarms in WDC primary schools” was a safety issue.

He was twice assured by Angela Wilson, strategic director of transformation and public service reform, that it was a procurement issue.

The council whistleblower told the Post an anonymous letter to chief executive Joyce White alleged ongoing issues with faults and non-compliance with fire alarm systems.

That prompted an independent “asset register and system condition survey” on all council properties, prompting more in-depth surveys.

Our whistleblower said: “This exercise has been a total eye opener.

“On completion of the surveys, the company that carried them out issued a letter to WDC advising their concerns over the issues they found, and urged them to rectify them as soon as possible.

“The head teachers within each school are responsible for everything within their school, from staffing to health and safety, which includes fire alarm systems.

“These reports have not been issued to the head teachers and they are not aware of the issues.

"Some of our children attend the schools that have been highlighted and we can’t understand why these issues haven’t been dealt with in an open and timely manner.

“Everything seems to be kept secretive.”

The whistleblower added: “It also looks like Councillor McColl hasn’t been advised of the full extent of the reports and also looks like he hasn’t been told the truth, as the reports have highlighted not just procurement issues but also major non-compliance issues with the fire alarm systems and are a health and safety issue.”

After being sent copies of the Edinbarnet and Alexandria reports, Cllr McColl told the Post he had not previously seen them.

He said: "It wouldn’t be normal practice for a councillor, even the council leader, to see this level of report. I’d be surprised if anyone above strategic lead level would have seen these.

“I take the safety of our children very seriously, which is why I sought assurance at the audit committee. This new information gives me cause for further concern and I have raised it directly with our internal audit manager and the council chief executive.”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesman said: “Safety is paramount to us and, as such, all council buildings, including schools, are subject to regular fire and electrical inspections as part of a rolling programme.

“Also, all fire systems are routinely maintained. This is in addition to the rigorous checks undertaken by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“In March of this year, the fire service confirmed it was satisfied with the arrangements at Edinbarnet Primary School.”