Fire risk assessments for schools & education premises

Fire risk assessments for schools, academies, nurseries, colleges and other education buildings.

No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call 020 8066 2499

School corridor with fire doors, exit sign and alarm call point

Fire Risk Assessments for Schools & Education

T&T Fire Safety carries out fire risk assessments for primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, nurseries and colleges. We work for head teachers, school business managers, academy trusts, governing bodies and estates teams.

School sites are busy in the day and empty at night. The assessment looks at both: how hundreds of pupils and staff would get out during the school day, and how the buildings are protected when no one is there.

What we consider

Large occupancy

Halls, dining rooms and assemblies where large numbers gather, and whether exits and stairs can take everyone at once.

Labs and D&T workshops

Chemical stores, gas supplies, kilns, dust from woodwork and the controls in place when they are in use.

Arson risk

Bins against walls, unsecured perimeters, combustible storage near buildings and how the site is secured at night.

Out-of-hours lettings

Clubs, community groups and events using the site, and who manages evacuation when school staff are not present.

Lockdown and evacuation

Whether lockdown procedures and fire evacuation arrangements work together without blocking escape routes.

Pupils with SEND

Pupils and staff who need help to leave the building, and whether their evacuation plans are in place and practised.

Your fire risk assessment report

Significant findings

The fire risks and existing precautions identified during the assessment.

Prioritised actions

Recommended actions ranked according to priority.

Next steps

Guidance on the findings and any further action required.

Who is responsible for fire safety in a school

In England, schools and colleges are covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsible person is the employer. Depending on how the school is run, that may be the local authority, the governing body, an academy trust or the proprietor, and day-to-day tasks are often delegated to the head teacher or business manager. Since 1 October 2023 the full assessment must be recorded, including who carried it out, and it must be reviewed regularly and after significant changes such as new buildings or a change of layout.

Other fire safety services for education

Get a free quote

Prefer to talk it through?020 8066 2499Mon–Thu 8:30am–6pm, Fri 8:30am–3pm

Frequently asked questions

Who is the responsible person in a school?

The employer. That may be the local authority, the governing body, an academy trust or the proprietor, depending on the type of school. Tasks are often delegated to the head teacher or business manager, but the legal duty stays with the employer.

Can the assessment be done during the school holidays?

Yes, and many schools prefer it. Some points, such as how busy corridors are at break or how evacuation drills run, are easier to judge during term time, so we may ask about these or arrange a short term-time visit.

Does the assessment cover science labs and workshops?

Yes. We look at chemical and gas storage, workshop dust and equipment, and how these rooms are controlled and protected. Detailed chemical safety management sits outside a fire risk assessment, but fire risks from those areas are included.

What about groups who hire the school in the evening?

The assessment considers out-of-hours use and whether hirers are told about escape routes, alarm points and assembly areas. It helps to set out in the letting agreement who is in charge of fire safety during the hire.

Do you check the fire alarm and emergency lighting?

The assessment records whether systems are suitable and whether there are test and service records. If servicing is needed, we offer fire alarm servicing and emergency lighting servicing.

How often should a school assessment be reviewed?

There is no fixed legal interval. It must be kept up to date and reviewed after significant changes, such as new buildings, temporary classrooms or changes to how spaces are used. See our guide on how often an assessment should be reviewed.

Useful reading