Your Complete Guide to Fire Safety for Schools

They say every day’s a school day, and today we’ll be teaching you about the UK fire safety rules and regulations you need to know to keep your staff and pupils safe.

Wondering which equipment you need, what the regulations are and how to make sure you’re correctly set up? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re responsible for a small primary school or a sprawling secondary, you’re legally obliged to protect your students, staff and visitors from the risk of fire. In this blog, we’ll explain the rules, get you up to speed on different types of fire alarm systems and fire safety equipment, and tell you more about how our team at Midland Fire can help.

Fire Safety Regulations for Schools

 

You may have noticed that there are no regulations in the UK specifically targeted to schools. Instead, schools fall under the category of non-domestic buildings, so The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 should be your first port of call. This is the document laying out the guidelines that all commercial settings and workplaces should follow.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all educational institutes, from nurseries through to schools and universities. The key takeaways are as follows:

• Schools must carry out regular fire risk assessments to identify hazards and risk areas and define the measures needed to keep everyone safe. This is a legal obligation.
• Schools must install a suitable fire detection and fire alarm system under the appropriate fire safety British Standard.
• Schools should reduce the risk of fire as far as is reasonably possible, and put in place safety and evacuation plans in case of an emergency.
• The Responsible Person (often the Headteacher or Facilities Manager) must ensure that all staff have completed fire awareness training and know what to do in the event of a fire.
• It is your legal responsibility to keep your fire alarm systems well maintained. You should test your fire alarms weekly and hire a professional to carry out a full system inspection every six months.

Fire Risk Assessments for Schools

 

Let’s go back to the first point – fire risk assessments. As we mentioned, it’s a legal requirement to have an up-to-date fire risk assessment for your school. The assessment is carried out by a trained engineer who will thoroughly inspect your school property to identify potential hazards and who is most at risk. Then they’ll determine which fire safety measures and management policies are needed to reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm and fully ensure the safety of staff and students.

The results of the FRA will outline which systems are needed to improve fire safety at your school. This could be anything from fire alarm system improvements, to adding more signage to enhanced staff training.

Got a school holiday coming up? That’s the perfect time to get the ball rolling and book in your fire risk assessment to ensure your have fire safety for your school.

Fire Safety Measures for Schools

So which systems do you need in place at your school? At Midland Fire, we offer installation and maintenance across every aspect of fire safety. Here are the key systems you should consider for your school, each of which we can install for you:

Fire Alarm Systems for Schools

With the right fire detection system in place, the risk to your school is massively reduced. We have experience designing and fitting conventional, addressable, aspirated and commercial fire alarm systems, and as approved Gent 24 System Integrators, we have access to top-quality resources and products.

Fire Suppression for High-Risk School Areas

PAFFS fire suppression systems are innovative self-activating systems designed for rapid detection and extinguishing of fires in enclosed spaces. These are particularly useful in high-risk areas like kitchens and food tech classrooms, as well as spaces that contain fume cupboards, like science labs.

Emergency Lighting for Schools

In an emergency, students, staff and visitors need to be able to find the nearest exit fast. Regulations require emergency routes to remain illuminated for at least three hours following power failure, which is particularly necessary in areas with limited natural light. Our team can design and install reliable commercial emergency lighting to make sure you’re compliant.

Disabled Refuge Systems for Schools

By law, multi-storey schools and colleges must have designated refuge areas for those who need extra support during an evacuation, such as wheelchair users, pregnant staff or students with mobility impairments. These areas enable direct two-way communication with evacuation personnel for guidance and reassurance.

Fire Extinguishers for Schools

Fire extinguishers are a basic bit of kit when it comes to fighting fires – but it’s crucial that the right type is installed in the right place and that staff know how to use them properly. Our team can help with that. We can also supply fire blankets, safety accessories and signage so that fire safety equipment can be quickly located and used when needed.

Additional School Security Services

Once your fire safety systems and equipment are sorted, you might also be interested in a security system to match. Commercial CCTV, intruder alarms and door control systems are all super effective ways of heightening the security of your property and assets, helping prevent break-ins, burglary and vandalism at your school.

Top Tips for Fire Safety in Schools

Let’s finish with some quick tips for helping prevent a fire at your school and keeping everyone safe if the worst were to happen:

• Make your school grounds a strict no-smoking zone.
• Carry out regular fire drills, designating specific responsibilities to specific staff.
• Keep all fire doors shut at all times.
• Store flammable substances safely.
• Get electrical equipment tested to make sure it’s safe and working properly.
• Don’t keep rubbish piling up on site.
• Furnish your school with fire retardant materials and fixtures.

Why Choose Midland Fire to Protect Your School?

 

We’re a BAFE-accredited fire safety company, with years of experience designing and installing fire alarm systems at schools. Whether you need an inspection, installation or ongoing maintenance, our fully qualified engineers are here to help.

We’ll guide you through each stage of the process, helping you decide which systems you need and scheduling in maintenance plans with minimal disruption to your pupils and staff. From fire alarm systems and emergency lighting through to additional security services, we do it all. Now’s the time to get your school up to spec.

At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. Contact us today for a free consultation.

 

Your Burning Questions Answered

Is a fire risk assessment compulsory for schools?

Yes, it is. Every UK school must carry out regular fire risk assessments to remain compliant with the Fire Safety Order 2005.

How often must school fire alarms be serviced?

To keep your staff, students and property safe, you should test your fire alarms weekly and carry out a full professional system inspection at least twice a year as per the BS 5839 standards.

Do schools need emergency lighting?

Yes, all escape routes must have emergency lighting capable of lasting at least three hours after a power failure.

Do schools need disabled refuge systems?

Every school and college must provide a safe and accessible evacuation plan for all individuals, including those who require assistance. By law, multi-storey schools and colleges must have designated refuge areas with two-way communication systems for those who need extra support during an evacuation.

Can Midland Fire carry out work during the school holidays?

Absolutely, in fact many schools find that school holidays are the perfect time to book in their major safety upgrades or maintenance works. We’ll always do our best to schedule work at the times that suit you best.