Schools and nurseries have large numbers of young people, some of whom will need help to get out. Good planning and practice make all the difference.

Who Is Responsible?

Every school and nursery needs a fire risk assessment. Who's legally responsible depends on the type of setting. In England, for example:

  • Community and voluntary-controlled schools – the local authority.
  • Foundation and voluntary-aided schools – the governing body.
  • Academies, free schools and independent schools – the academy trust or proprietor.

Day-to-day tasks can be handed to the head teacher or site manager, but legal responsibility stays with the employer. The law that applies:

  • England and Wales – the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
  • Scotland – the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006
  • Northern Ireland – the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Fire Extinguishers

  • Corridors, classrooms and other areas pupils use – a 6 Litre Water Fire Extinguisher is usually the best choice.
  • Areas only staff can reach – where there's electrical equipment, such as server rooms and near distribution boards, add a 2kg carbon dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguisher if needed.
  • School kitchens – a fire blanket and a wet chemical extinguisher. See Commercial Kitchen Fire Safety.

Curious children may be tempted to play with extinguishers, so consider extinguisher covers to keep inquisitive fingers away. In special schools, or anywhere tampering is a real problem, lockable extinguisher cabinets may be the answer – just make sure staff can open them quickly in an emergency. See Extinguisher Stands, Brackets and Cabinets and How Many Fire Extinguishers Do I Need?.

Routine Checks

Department for Education guidance for England recommends:

  • Weekly – test the fire alarm, using a different call point each time.
  • Monthly – a quick test of the emergency lighting.
  • Every 6 months – a full-duration emergency lighting test, and the fire alarm serviced by a competent person.
  • Yearly – extinguishers serviced and fire blankets inspected, and the fire risk assessment reviewed.
  • Fire doors checked regularly.

Record everything in your fire safety log book.

Fire Drills

National guidance says drills should be held regularly but doesn't give a number. Many local authorities ask for one drill every term, and that's a good standard to follow. Vary the time and block an exit now and then, so everyone practises using different routes. See Fire Drills and Evacuation Plans.

Pupils Who Need Help

  • Very young children and some disabled pupils will need named staff to help them out.
  • Agree a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) for each pupil or member of staff who needs one.
  • Don't rely on the Fire and Rescue Service to rescue anyone – your plan must get everyone out.
  • Consider evacuation aids for upper floors. See Evacuation Chairs, Slides and Mattresses: Who Needs Them?.

Nurseries and Childminders

  • England – the Early Years Foundation Stage framework requires an emergency evacuation procedure, fire detection and control equipment in working order, and clear fire exits that open easily from inside.
  • Wales – the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare ask for fire drills at least every 6 months, recorded in a fire log book, and a fire risk assessment reviewed every year.
  • Scotland – the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service publishes a fire safety guide for childminders, and a fire safety checklist forms part of registration.
  • Northern Ireland – the Department of Health's Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care require regular drills and a fire log book.

Arson

Schools are a common target for deliberate fires. Keep bins locked away from buildings, skips at least 6 m away, and the site secure out of hours. See Arson Prevention for Businesses.

Sprinklers in New Schools

Requirements differ across the UK. In England, Department for Education design guidance for the new school buildings it funds requires sprinklers in some cases, such as special schools and taller buildings. In Wales, sprinklers have been a condition of Welsh Government funding for new schools. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, check with your local building standards or building control team.

E-Bikes and E-Scooters

If staff or pupils bring e-bikes or e-scooters, don't let them be stored or charged on escape routes. See E-Bike and E-Scooter Charging Safety.

Official guidance: GOV.UK – good estate management for schools, Care Inspectorate – fire safety for childminders and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides what your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.

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