Fire Safety Compliance for Schools and Educational Buildings: What Responsible Persons Need to Know

Schools, colleges and other educational buildings have a legal duty to manage fire safety and protect everyone who uses their premises. From classrooms and sports halls to laboratories and administration offices, each area presents different risks that should be assessed and managed appropriately. Fire safety compliance is an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-off exercise.

A professional Fire Risk Assessment helps schools identify hazards, prioritise improvements and demonstrate that fire safety is being actively managed. If you need practical advice on maintaining compliance across your educational premises, contact Change24 on 0800 654 6212 to discuss your requirements.

“A compliant school is not simply one that has completed a fire risk assessment. It is one where fire safety measures are regularly maintained, documented and reviewed as the building evolves.”

Who is responsible for fire safety in schools?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every educational building must have a designated Responsible Person. Depending on how the school is managed, this may be the headteacher, academy trust, governing body, local authority or another person with control over the premises.

In practice, responsibility is often shared across estates teams, facilities managers and senior leadership. While day-to-day tasks may be delegated, the Responsible Person remains accountable for ensuring suitable fire safety measures are in place and fire risks are kept under review.

For larger schools or multi-academy trusts, maintaining clear documentation across multiple buildings is just as important as completing inspections.

What does fire safety compliance involve?

Fire safety compliance extends well beyond completing a fire risk assessment. Schools must ensure that fire precautions remain effective, are properly maintained and reflect how the building is used. A comprehensive compliance programme typically includes:

• Fire risk assessments and regular reviews

• Fire detection and alarm systems

• Emergency lighting

• Fire extinguishers

• Escape routes and final exits

• Fire safety signage

• Staff training and evacuation procedures

• Maintenance records and compliance documentation

Schools should also review their fire safety arrangements whenever significant changes are made to the building, occupancy or day-to-day operations. This is particularly important for academy trusts and schools managing multiple buildings or sites. Regular fire drills, appropriate Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and clearly defined staff evacuation responsibilities all contribute to effective day-to-day fire safety management.

Why are fire doors and compartmentation especially important in schools?

Educational buildings often contain long corridors, multiple classrooms, assembly halls, kitchens and plant rooms. These layouts rely heavily on effective compartmentation to slow the spread of fire and smoke, allowing occupants more time to evacuate safely.

During inspections, damaged fire doors, missing seals, excessive gaps and unauthorised alterations are common issues that may affect performance. Where concerns are identified, dedicated Fire Door Inspection services or more detailed Fire Door Surveys can help determine the extent of any remedial work required.

Similarly, damaged compartment walls or poorly sealed service penetrations can reduce the effectiveness of passive fire protection. Where necessary, specialist Fire Barrier Installation or remedial works may be required to restore the building’s fire-resisting compartmentation and intended fire strategy.

How often should schools review their fire risk assessment?

There is no legal requirement for every school to commission a new fire risk assessment every year. However, the assessment must remain suitable and sufficient for the premises. Reviews should be carried out whenever there are significant changes, including:

• Building extensions or refurbishments

• Changes to classroom layouts or building use

• Increased pupil or staff numbers

• Installation of new equipment

• Following a fire or significant incident

Many schools also schedule periodic reviews as part of their wider compliance programme to ensure recommendations remain relevant and documentation stays up to date.

What are the most common fire safety issues found in schools?

Many compliance issues develop gradually through everyday use rather than major building defects. Common examples include:

• Fire doors wedged open

• Damaged intumescent seals

• Escape routes obstructed by temporary classroom storage

• Display boards or teaching materials preventing fire doors from closing properly

• Missing or damaged fire safety signage

• Unsealed service penetrations affecting compartmentation

• Outdated fire risk assessment records

• Incomplete maintenance documentation

Identifying these issues early allows schools to prioritise improvements before they affect compliance or disrupt day-to-day operations.

Why does documentation matter as much as inspections?

Fire safety compliance is not only about maintaining physical fire protection measures. Schools should also be able to demonstrate that inspections, maintenance and remedial works have been properly recorded.

Clear reports, photographic evidence and maintenance records provide an audit trail that supports ongoing compliance and helps Responsible Persons monitor outstanding actions across the site. Working with a contractor that provides structured reporting can also make future reviews more efficient by maintaining consistency across inspections and recommended actions.

Working with a competent fire safety contractor

Educational buildings present a wide range of fire safety challenges, from historic school buildings to modern campuses with specialist teaching facilities. Choosing a contractor with experience across different types of educational premises helps ensure recommendations are practical, proportionate and aligned with current fire safety legislation.

Change24 supports schools, academies, colleges and public sector organisations with evidence-based assessments, detailed reporting and specialist passive fire protection services. By combining inspections with clear documentation and follow-up support where required, schools can maintain a stronger understanding of their compliance responsibilities throughout the year.

Keeping your school compliant all year round

Fire safety compliance should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a series of isolated inspections. Regular reviews, accurate documentation and timely remedial work all contribute to maintaining a safe learning environment and demonstrating compliance with fire safety legislation.

A proactive approach helps schools plan maintenance more effectively, prioritise improvements and respond confidently to inspections or audits.

If you need advice on fire risk assessments, fire door inspections or passive fire protection for your school or educational building, contact Change24 to discuss your requirements with an experienced member of the team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do schools legally need a fire risk assessment?

Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all educational buildings must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment that is kept under review.

Who is the Responsible Person in a school?

The Responsible Person may be the headteacher, academy trust, governing body, local authority or another person with control over the premises. Their exact responsibilities depend on how the school is managed.

How often should school fire doors be inspected?

Fire doors should be inspected regularly as part of the school’s fire safety management arrangements. The frequency may depend on the building’s use, occupancy and condition, but routine inspections help identify defects before they become more serious.

What happens if a school does not meet fire safety requirements?

Where fire safety deficiencies are identified, the Responsible Person should take appropriate action to address them. Enforcing authorities may take further action where legal duties are not being met.

Can fire safety improvements be completed during term time?

In many cases, yes. The timing and method of work will depend on the type of building and the nature of the remedial works. Experienced contractors can often plan works to minimise disruption to teaching and daily school activities.