Educational Premises.

Prioritisation of Fire Safety Management in School Estates

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Ensuring robust fire safety management across school estates is a critical responsibility. This duty is underpinned by legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).

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Effective estate management is not merely an operational concern - it is a fundamental obligation to safeguard the safety, wellbeing, and protection of pupils, staff, and visitors. Fire safety must therefore be embedded as a core element of statutory compliance, supported by:

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• Competent fire risk assessment

• Clear and up-to-date policies

• Regular monitoring and review processes

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Fire Risk Assessments

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Schools are required to maintain suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments.

These must:

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• Be conducted by competent individuals

• Be reviewed regularly

• Be updated whenever there are significant changes to buildings, layout or use
   

Fire risk assessments should form part of a comprehensive safety management system, ensuring that risks are identified, mitigated, and continuously monitored.

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Common Fire Safety Challenges in School Estates

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There are a number of recurring issues observed across school estates that require urgent and consistent attention. These include:

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• Ensuring corridors and escape routes remain unobstructed at all times, are adequately protected, and provide sufficient width for safe evacuation

• Designing and managing buildings to support safe, supervised evacuation both horizontally and vertically

• Maintaining appropriate travel distances that reflect the age, mobility, and needs of occupants

• Implementing fire safety strategies that fully consider pupils, staff, and visitors, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

• Ensuring building layout supports a quick, calm, and intuitive evacuation process

• Keeping fire doors closed or held open only with appropriate automatic release devices - never wedged open

• Providing clear, visible and appropriate fire safety signage throughout the premises

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In addition, maintaining fire detection and alarm systems, ensuring regular testing and keeping accurate records are essential requirements. Fire doors, emergency lighting, evacuation procedures and firefighting equipment must all be routinely inspected, maintained, and understood by staff.

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Competence, Leadership and Accountability

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Inconsistent levels of competence and understanding in estates and health and safety management across schools can lead to gaps in compliance and increased risk. It is therefore vital that leadership teams, governors and premises staff are appropriately trained and supported.

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The Department for Education’s Estate Management Standards reinforce the expectation that all schools must meet a baseline level of compliance while striving for continuous improvement.

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Headteachers and governing bodies should prioritise fire safety within their strategic planning, embedding it within the wider framework of estate management and organisational leadership.

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Strengthening Fire Safety Across the Education Sector

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To support safer school environments, the following actions are essential:

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• Strengthening oversight and accountability for fire safety compliance across all schools

• Providing increased funding and resources dedicated to estate and fire safety management

• Mandating regular, high-quality training for school leaders, governors, and premises staff

• Ensuring consistent national standards are clearly understood and effectively implemented

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Working with Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service

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Schools are encouraged to engage with Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service for additional guidance and support.

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Collaboration with local fire and rescue services can strengthen fire safety arrangements, support compliance with statutory duties, and promote a proactive, risk-based approach to managing school estates.

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Supporting Resources

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The following resources can support schools in strengthening fire safety compliance:

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• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
   

• Professional directories for qualified fire risk assessors:
  - Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) – “Find an IFE Professional”
  - Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) – Fire Risk Assessors directory
   

• HM Government fire safety guidance for duty holders:
  - GOV.UK – Fire safety guidance for those with legal duties​