School Fire Safety

When fire breaks out in a school, it can have a devastating impact not only staff, students and parents but the whole community. Whether vandalism or accidental, the cost of school fires  in monetary terms as well as the emotional toll and educational disruption can be catastrophic. Small fires can mostly be extinguished successfully. However, for the rare and unexpected occasion when a larger fire takes hold, schools should be confident every effort has been made and every precautionary method taken to preserve life and property

Here we take a look at best practice with fire safety in schools and explain all about legal requirements and sensible steps to ensure all who use the building are kept safe in an emergency.

Assigning a responsible person

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order requires that all workplaces have fire precautions in place where necessary and that a 'responsible person' is instated. While in most workplaces the responsible person is the employer or anyone with control of the premises, in a school these duties may fall to the headteacher or the governing body. The responsible person must ensure that a fire risk assessment is carried out and the necessary precautions are taken to protect the safety of 'relevant persons' (i.e all who use the school). It's the role of the responsible person to help assess all fire risk and ensure that, as far as is reasonable, the needs of all relevant persons, including those with disabilities and additional needs, are met. A huge part of the assessment is identifying fire hazards and the people potentially at risk - they might be, for example, students working in unsupervised areas or people unfamiliar with the premises.

Installing fire protection measures

Once the presence of risk has been concluded, it's crucial that steps are taken to reduce any remaining risk and that precautions are put in place. That means installing early warning systems such as smoke detectors and fire alarms. They allow for early warning to facilitate the fire escape plan. An evacuation plan is legally required in schools and it's the job of the responsible person to oversee it, while fire drills should be held once a term at different times of the day. For as swift and fuss-free emergency exit as possible, schools must ensure appropriate signage is visible along all corridors and at each fire exit of the route.

Fire extinguishers in schools

The amount and types of fire extinguishers installed where will depend on the size of the premises and the nature of the fire risk in any particular area. Most commonly fitted fire extinguishers include water (for wood, paper and solid material fires) and CO2, which tackle liquid and electrical fires.  There will be other types of fire extinguishers such as wet chemical fire extinguishers for kitchens with deep fat fryers. You may even require alcohol resistant foam fire extinguishers in prep rooms. Fire blankets will also be required in most kitchen and design Tech areas and also science classrooms where the risk of clothing fires are higher. Should an emergency occur, staff should be aware of the nearest extinguisher's location and be trained to use it.

Reduce the risk of vandalism

Steps should be taken taken to minimise the risk of fire equipment being misused and/or vandalised. Precautions to be considered are fire extinguisher cabinets in corridors along with fire extinguisher covers on all equipment in classrooms. Depending on the size of the school and amount of extinguishers installed consideration should be given to spare fire extinguishers which can be used to swap with anything unfit for service. This ensures that the level of fire protection is not reduced. 

Contractor Security

Educational institutions should ensure service providers comply with safeguarding regulations, primarily through verifying that personnel have completed a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This check is crucial for vetting individuals who may have unsupervised access to children. Schools must have protocols to confirm these checks, including requesting documentation and regularly reviewing compliance. Open communication with service providers about the importance of DBS checks is essential, as is training staff on their significance and verification procedures. Ultimately, ensuring that only individuals who have passed a DBS check are allowed on school premises is a key responsibility, aligning with legal requirements and demonstrating a commitment to student welfare and educational integrity.

Conclusion

Protecting students, staff, and property from fire risks in schools is essential. A comprehensive fire risk assessment identifies hazards, evaluates risks, and outlines mitigation measures by examining school premises, assessing materials, and involving stakeholders like administrators and local fire authorities. After the assessment, promptly implement safety measures such as installing smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems, and ensuring marked, accessible exits. Conduct regular fire drills and train staff in using fire extinguishers and emergency equipment. Maintaining fire protection equipment is crucial. Regular inspections and servicing of alarms, extinguishers, and sprinkler systems, following local fire codes, are necessary. Detailed inspection and maintenance records ensure accountability and compliance. Schools should promote fire safety awareness among students and staff through educational programs about fire safety, common causes, and emergency actions. Engaging students in safety initiatives enhances understanding and empowers them to maintain a safe environment. In conclusion, protecting against fire risks requires thorough assessment and diligent equipment maintenance, creating a safer learning environment and allowing focus on education without fire hazard concerns.

Get in touch

Working with a trusted service provider is also vital to ensuring that the School is best placed in the event a fire occurs.

Veteran Fire Safety is a leading UK provider of comprehensive fire safety solutions, specializing in fire extinguisher servicing, fire risk assessments, and tailored training programs for businesses and organizations. Our experienced professionals ensure your premises are equipped with essential fire safety measures to protect lives and property. We offer thorough fire extinguisher servicing that meets the highest industry standards, ensuring readiness for emergencies. Our comprehensive fire risk assessments identify potential hazards and implement strategies to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. Additionally, we provide interactive training sessions to educate staff on fire safety protocols, extinguisher use, and evacuation procedures.

Contact us for a detailed quotation or to enhance your fire safety measures. Trust us as your partner in fire prevention and safety management across the UK.