Fire Safety in Education

The responsibility lies with the people that oversee the establishment. This normally is the headteacher in an education setting.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 sets out the key responsibilities to protect their staff, and what information they need to provide staff with. Measures highlighted in this act include:

- Conducting and acting on regular risk assessments
- Appointing competent people to oversee health and safety
- Setting-up emergency procedures
- Providing training to employees necessary for their roles

Fire safety is defined as a collection of procedures for preventing or averting the incidence of fires, as well as managing the growth and effects of accidental or purposeful fires while keeping losses to a minimum. The risk of a fire starting is reduced if the fire hazards are identified, and suitable control measures are put in place. Some measures that can be put in place in schools to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out are:

- Conduct fire risk assessments and keep them up to date on a regular basis.
- Make the school grounds a "No Smoking" zone.
- Ensure that all fire doors are closed.
- Ensure that combustible materials are maintained and stored in a safe fashion.
- Dispose of rubbish on a regular basis.
- Check to see if the furniture and fixtures are retardant.

The main piece of legislation that covers schools is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

The directive mandates that all employers appoint a Responsible Person (RP) to guarantee that the school is prepared to avoid a fire, recognise any potential fire risks, be able to prepare and conduct a fire drill, among other important fire safety procedures.

Specific fire safety duties must be performed by the 'responsible person' or a fire warden acting on their behalf. Conducting a fire risk assessment is one of them. A risk assessment must be available in writing if there are more than five individuals employed.

Staff, students, and visitors may be injured if proper school fire safety precautions are not implemented. Buildings, as well as your school's reputation, could be severely damaged or destroyed. Education and learning may be harmed, especially if parts of the school must be closed for restorations due to fire and smoke damage.

If a school does not comply, you could be issued with an alterations notice, enforcement notice, prohibition notice or a penalty.