Frankfurt school deploys 12 guards over a 7 cm handrail violation
A 100-year-old handrail at a Frankfurt school has triggered an expensive safety operation. The railing at Frauenhofschule stands at just 103 cm—7 cm short of the mandatory 110 cm height. Since Monday, the city has stationed 12 security guards in the stairwells to ensure compliance with regulations.
The issue came to light during a routine inspection, revealing that the railing did not meet the 2009 Muster-Schulbau-Richtlinie (model school construction guideline). This rule is legally binding under Hessian building regulations, forcing the city to act despite no prior incidents.
Acting principal **Solmaz Heidlindemann** expressed surprise at the decision, suggesting a simpler fix could have secured the railing if needed. However, authorities opted for immediate action, deploying guards at a weekly cost of around **€13,700 gross**. The operation will continue for another two to four weeks until a permanent solution is found. Even during the upcoming Easter break, guards will remain on duty, though costs are expected to drop to between **€5,000 and €6,000 per week** due to reduced school activity.
The city must adhere to safety standards, regardless of past compliance or cost. Until the railing is modified, the security presence will stay in place. Officials have not yet announced when structural changes will begin.
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