A Guide to Fire Safety for Schools and Other Educational Settings

Whether you’re overseeing a school, college, university, or halls of residence, fire safety is a legal and moral responsibility. If you’re the ‘responsible person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you’re accountable for ensuring that students, staff, and visitors are safe from fire-related risks on your premises.

According to gov.co.uk, fire and rescue services responded to 596 fires in educational premises in England alone during the year April 2022 – March 2023. The leading causes of fires in educational settings are electrical faults – accounting for approximately 23% of school fires – and deliberate ignition/arson – with at least 80 arson attacks on schools reported in England in the year ending March 2024.

These figures highlight that although the overall frequency is low, the scale of damage, disruption to education, and cost of recovery are very real, making fire safety planning and vigilance in schools absolutely vital.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about fire safety for schools and other educational settings, including what the law says, the practical steps you should take, and how to create a fire-safe culture across your educational setting.

Who is the ‘responsible person’?

The ‘responsible person’ is defined as anyone who has control over the premises or a degree of control over fire safety measures. In an educational setting, this could be:

• The headteacher, principal, or vice principal
• A site manager, facilities officer, or caretaker
• A member of the governing body or academy trust
• A landlord or operator of student accommodation

In some cases, responsibility is shared. Regardless, someone must take clear ownership of fire safety planning, maintenance, and compliance.

What are the current fire safety regulations for educational settings?

Schools and other educational settings are complex environments that involve a mix of buildings, activities, and age groups. From science labs and kitchens to drama props and paper-based materials, potential fire hazards are present in almost every area.

Under the Fire Safety Order 2005, you are required to:

• Conduct and regularly review a fire risk assessment
• Take appropriate steps to eliminate or reduce risks
• Provide and maintain fire safety systems and equipment
• Ensure escape routes are accessible and clearly signed
• Train staff and conduct regular fire drills
• Keep detailed records of fire safety procedures

There are plenty of online guidance available for the ‘responsible person’ of an educational setting, including: 

• Fire risk assessment guides
• Building Bulletin 100 for fire safety design for schools
• Approved Document B for fire safety in building regulations
• The Fire Safety Act 2021 (as amended by the Building Safety Act 2022), which extends responsibilities for multi-occupancy premises, such as student accommodation

What are the key elements of fire safety to consider?

Cooking equipment, flammable teaching materials, and high footfall all contribute to fire load. However, there are ways you can mitigate risks as we highlight below.

Carry out a thorough fire risk assessment

The foundation of good fire safety starts with a comprehensive fire risk assessment. This should cover all parts of the premises – from classrooms and staff rooms to utility areas and plant rooms – and should be reviewed annually or whenever significant changes are made. The assessment must identify hazards, evaluate the risk, and determine what control measures are required.

Ensure safe escape routes

Ensuring safe escape routes is of particular importance as schools, universities, and other educational establishments experience high footfall. You should ensure all emergency exits are clearly marked, well-lit, and unobstructed, and that stairways and corridors are clutter-free at all times. You should also install compliant fire doors that close automatically and make sure they’re not left propped open.

Provide the right equipment

Once you’ve conducted a fire risk assessment, it’s essential to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place based on the findings. These will usually include measures such as fire detection and alarm systems, and the correct type and quantity of fire extinguishers. Emergency lighting should also be installed to support safe evacuation, particularly in areas without natural light or during out-of-hours use.

Train staff and conduct drills

Staff training is another critical component. All employees – teaching and non-teaching – should understand evacuation procedures and know how to raise the alarm. Fire drills should take place at least once a term, ensuring that students and staff are familiar with the escape routes and assembly points.

Need expert fire safety protection?

Fire safety for schools, universities, colleges, and other educational settings is not just a legal requirement, it’s a core part of the ‘responsible persons’ duty to protect the people in their care. Whether you’re responsible for a small primary school or a multi-site university campus, understanding and acting on your obligations can prevent life-threatening incidents and ensure peace of mind for everyone on site.

If you need support with fire risk assessments, fire alarm installation, staff training, or any other aspect of fire safety, we can help. At City Fire Protection, we specialise in offering professional and fully compliant fire safety solutions to the education sector. We can conduct a thorough assessment of your premises and provide expert guidance tailored to your environment.

Thanks to the backing of the LS Fire Group, whether you’re based local to us in London, Essex, or Birmingham, or you’re located elsewhere in the UK, we can reach you with the help of our partner brands. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your requirements in more detail.