The thought of a fire emergency happening in a school, where there is a significant risk to life, is frightening. This is why it is important to invest in strong fire prevention in schools with proper assessment, precautions, and training.
Reasons for fires in educational establishments
Arson is the leading cause of fire in UK schools, but this does not account for all of the 1,000+ incidents recorded each year.
Unchecked heaters, faulty or misused electrical devices, kitchen equipment, cigarettes, and laboratory experiments also add to the list of potential fire hazards in schools.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Ofsted have put in place guidelines to ensure minimum fire safety standards in workplaces, public buildings and schools.
Fire Prevention in Schools
Fire prevention in schools is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors. To comply with Ofsted’s fire safety requirements, schools must have a fire risk assessment that:
- Identifies fire hazards;
- Identifies people at risk;
- Evaluates the risk of fire and mitigates it;
- Records any instances of fire, includes an emergency plan, informs people about it, and trains them according to it; and
- Is under constant review.
This final point is particularly important for schools with an annual turnover of students whose individual needs must be taken into consideration. New buildings and structural changes must also be factored into the fire risk assessment for it to be truly effective in supporting fire prevention in schools.
Why Fire Risk Assessments Are Essential
It’s important to stress that having a fire risk assessment will not remove all risk of fire in schools, but it will significantly reduce it. A thorough assessment will also ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency, which is a vital part of fire prevention in schools.
Ask a Professional to Risk Assess Your School
Schools are complex environments when considering fire safety. Buildings and campuses may have evolved over time, creating different challenges across the establishment. Fire prevention in schools requires an expert understanding of these unique complexities.
Without specialist training, it can be hard to identify all the possible risks. This is why using a professional fire risk assessor is so important. Not only does it ensure the assessment is comprehensive, but it also saves your staff precious time.
Once you receive the results of your school’s fire risk assessment, you must then, by law, implement any recommendations to ensure all legal obligations are fulfilled.
By taking these steps, you can achieve peace of mind knowing that, if there is a fire, you have done everything in your power to prioritise fire prevention in schools and keep pupils and colleagues safe.
Book your school’s fire risk assessment today
Benfield Fire Safety is a leading fire safety, fire risk assessment and fire safety training provider with more 28 years of professional experience. We work with improving fire prevention in schools, health care providers, charities and businesses.
Our mission is simple – to save lives. Call us now for a free initial chat and to book a consultation: 0300 303 3277. Or email: customerservice@benfieldfs.co.uk.
