Fire Safety for Schools: Compliance Checklist

Q: Who is the responsible person for fire safety in a school?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person is usually the employer, which for maintained schools is the local authority or the governing body. For academies, it is the academy trust. In practice, the headteacher is often delegated day-to-day responsibility for fire safety management, but the legal duty remains with the employer. The responsible person must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and kept up to date.

Q: How often should a school fire risk assessment be reviewed?

A school fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and at least annually. It must also be reviewed after any significant changes to the building, its use or its occupancy, after a fire or near-miss incident, or if there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid. Many school insurers and local authorities require an annual review as a condition of cover. The review should be carried out by a competent person with knowledge of fire safety in educational premises.

Q: What are the most common fire safety deficiencies in schools?

Common fire safety deficiencies in schools include compromised fire compartmentation from services penetrations, particularly where IT cabling has been installed through fire walls and floors without proper fire stopping. Fire doors propped open, damaged or with defective self-closers are another frequent issue. Other common problems include inadequate escape route signage and emergency lighting, blocked or obstructed escape routes, and fire alarm systems that have not been properly maintained or upgraded.

Q: Does my school need a fire compartmentation survey?

A fire compartmentation survey is strongly recommended for any school that has undergone alterations, extensions or refurbishment, particularly where services have been routed through fire-rated walls and floors. It is also advisable for older school buildings where the original compartmentation may have been compromised over time. The survey identifies breaches in fire compartment lines and recommends remedial works to restore the required fire resistance.

Overview

Fire safety obligations for schools

Schools have specific fire safety obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person must ensure a suitable fire risk assessment is in place and that the building provides adequate means of escape, detection and compartmentation. A fire compartmentation survey is an important part of this process.

Fire risk assessment

Every school must have a fire risk assessment carried out by a competent person. The assessment must identify fire hazards, evaluate the risk to occupants and visitors, and set out the measures needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level. It should be reviewed annually and whenever there are significant changes to the building, its use or occupancy.

Compartmentation and fire stopping

Fire compartmentation is the division of a building into fire-resistant compartments to prevent fire and smoke spread. In schools, compartmentation is frequently compromised by service penetrations, particularly IT cabling routed through fire walls and floors. A compartmentation survey identifies breaches and recommends remedial fire stopping to restore the required fire resistance.

Fire doors and escape routes

Fire doors must be properly maintained, with functioning self-closers, intumescent strips and smoke seals. Escape routes must be kept clear, properly signed and adequately lit with maintained emergency lighting. Schools should carry out regular checks of fire doors and escape routes as part of their fire safety management routine.

Detection, alarm and training

The fire alarm system must be appropriate for the building and regularly tested and maintained. Staff must receive fire safety training, and fire drills should be conducted at least once per term. Records of all testing, maintenance and training should be kept as evidence of compliance.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who is the responsible person for fire safety in a school?

Usually the employer: the local authority or governing body for maintained schools, or the academy trust for academies. The headteacher is often delegated day-to-day responsibility.

How often should a school fire risk assessment be reviewed?

At least annually, and after any significant changes to the building, a fire incident or near-miss, or if there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid.

What are the most common fire safety deficiencies in schools?

Compromised compartmentation from service penetrations, fire doors propped open or damaged, inadequate escape route signage and emergency lighting, and unmaintained alarm systems.

Does my school need a fire compartmentation survey?

Strongly recommended for any school that has undergone alterations, extensions or refurbishment, or where the original compartmentation may have been compromised over time.

Next Steps