Fire Safety Management for School Estates

Nov 26, 2025

Caretaker checking fire extinguisher
Fire safety is one of the most critical responsibilities within any school estate. A fire incident can cause immediate harm, long term disruption and severe regulatory consequences. Effective fire safety management requires a clear understanding of legal duties, strong operational controls and a culture that prioritises prevention and preparedness every day. This article expands on the key themes of NASPM’s fire safety session delivered at the SAAS Show, providing a practical guide for school and trust leaders seeking to strengthen their fire safety arrangements.

1. Understanding the Fire Safety Order

The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RRFSO) sets the framework for fire safety management in all non domestic premises, including schools [3]. It has now been in place for almost twenty years and establishes an outcome based system focused on keeping people safe. The purpose of the Order is to protect relevant persons, meaning:
  • Anyone lawfully on the premises
  • Anyone in the immediate vicinity who may be affected by a fire
Compliance with the Order centres on ensuring risks are assessed, precautions are implemented and fire safety arrangements are maintained and reviewed.

2. Duty Holders and Competent Persons

The Responsible Person

Under Article 3 of the Order, the Responsible Person (RP) is the primary duty holder. In schools, this is usually the employer, which may be the local authority, maintained governing body or academy trust. The RP cannot transfer or avoid this duty. The RP must ensure that fire safety arrangements are in place, maintained and reviewed, and must appoint competent persons where needed [3].

Competent Persons and Required Roles

Various Articles of the Order set out the roles requiring competent persons:
  • Assisting with evacuation: Article 15 requires the RP to nominate a sufficient number of trained individuals to support evacuation and emergency procedures.
  • Using fire fighting equipment: Article 13(3) requires the RP to take measures for fire fighting and to ensure individuals are trained in the safe use of equipment where appropriate.
  • Assisting with preventative and protective measures: Article 18 requires the RP to appoint competent persons to assist with implementing measures identified through the fire risk assessment.
Competence requires appropriate training, experience and knowledge [3]. Fire wardens, caretakers, estates staff and senior leaders all need role specific training supported by up to date records.

3. Preventative and Protective Measures

Preventative and protective measures refer to the actions identified through the fire risk assessment to control fire risks [9]. They include:
  • Measures to reduce the risk of fire starting
  • Measures to reduce the risk of fire spreading
  • Measures to ensure safe means of escape
  • Fire detection and warning systems
  • Fire fighting equipment
  • Emergency arrangements, information and training
  • Measures to mitigate the effects of fire
These measures must be proportionate, documented and regularly reviewed [3].

4. Duties of the Responsible Person

Articles 8 to 22 of the Order set out the specific duties of the RP. Key obligations include:
  • Taking general fire precautions to protect employees and non employees [3]
  • Carrying out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment (FRA) [9]
  • Recording significant findings, control measures and persons at risk
  • Reviewing the FRA regularly and after any significant change
  • Maintaining all fire safety systems, including alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors and compartmentation
  • Providing training and information to staff
  • Ensuring safe evacuation arrangements
The FRA is central to compliance. It must be carried out by a competent person who has full access to all areas and who can identify realistic hazards and practical control measures.

5. Fire Safety Management Requirements

Effective fire safety management requires a combination of physical controls and managerial processes. Key expectations include [1][3]:

Fire Procedures

Schools must establish clear fire procedures that set out actions to be taken in the event of fire, who is responsible for each action and how evacuation is coordinated.

Fire Drills

Regular fire drills are essential for ensuring staff and pupils can evacuate quickly and safely. Drills should:
  • Take place at least once per term
  • Be varied to include different scenarios
  • Be recorded with outcomes and actions

Staff Information and Training

All staff must receive training on:
  • The school’s fire procedures
  • How to raise the alarm
  • Evacuation routes
  • Their specific responsibilities during an incident
Fire wardens require additional training relevant to their role.

Maintenance of Fire Precautions

The RP must ensure all fire safety systems are maintained in working order. This includes:
  • Fire alarms
  • Emergency lighting
  • Fire doors
  • Fire fighting equipment
  • Fire stopping and compartmentation
  • Signage
Records of maintenance must be accurate, accessible and up to date.

6. Means of Escape

Article 14 requires that routes to emergency exits must be kept clear at all times and that exits must be usable immediately by any person. Key requirements include [3]:
  • Escape routes must lead directly to a place of safety
  • The number and width of escape routes must be adequate
  • Doors must open in the direction of escape
  • Sliding or revolving doors must not be used as emergency exits
  • Doors must not be locked or fastened in a way that prevents immediate escape
  • Escape routes must be clearly signed and illuminated
These are fundamental, non negotiable expectations.

7. Two Decades of the Fire Safety Order: Lessons Learned

Nearly twenty years of fire audits, incident reports and regulatory interventions highlight consistent improvements and challenges across school estates. Positive trends include:
  • Better fire detection
  • Improved corridor management
  • Enhanced fire door standards
  • Stronger compartmentation
  • More frequent drills and training
  • Greater statutory compliance engagement
These improvements demonstrate the value of clear responsibilities, competent assessors and structured maintenance processes.

8. Common Pitfalls in School Fire Safety

Despite progress, several recurring issues continue to place schools at risk. These include [1][3][9]:
  • No fire strategy or up to date plans
  • Fire risk assessments completed without full site access
  • Fire doors misunderstood, non compliant or wedged open
  • Storage in plant rooms or escape routes
  • Missing or inadequate fire stopping above ceilings or in voids
  • Poor contractor management and lack of sign off
  • Maximum occupancy limits not known for assembly spaces
  • Unmanaged lettings without fire safety oversight
  • Damaged signage or insufficient wayfinding
  • Poor electrical management, including portable heater misuse
  • Delayed EICR remedial actions
  • Lack of cooking activity risk assessments
  • Over reliance on contractor advice instead of competent assessors
  • Absence of fire information boxes for responders
Each of these issues increases both risk and liability.

Conclusion

Managing fire safety in a school estate requires clarity of roles, reliable systems and a proactive approach to prevention. With the right controls in place, schools can significantly reduce risk and strengthen resilience across their estate. If you would like ongoing guidance, tools and compliance resources, you can now join NASPM’s Essential Premises Support for free. Membership gives you access to practical support designed to help schools manage fire safety confidently.

Sources

  1. Department for Education, Good Estate Management for Schools: Health and Safety, UK Government, 2023, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety
  2. Department for Education, Managing Asbestos in Your School or College, UK Government, 2020, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managing-asbestos-in-your-school-or-college
  3. Office of Public Sector Information, Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, UK Legislation, 2005, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents
  4. Department for Education, School Estate Management Standard April 2025, NASPM, 2025, https://naspm.co.uk/dfe-school-estate-management-standard-april-2025
  5. Health and Safety Executive, Legionella and Legionnaires Disease, HSE, 2023, https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires
  6. Health and Safety Executive, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, HSE, 1999, https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk
  7. Office of Public Sector Information, Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992, UK Legislation, 1992, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/3004/contents
  8. Health and Safety Executive, Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, HSE, 2013, https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Educational Premises, UK Government, 2023, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-risk-assessment-educational-premises
National Alliance of School Premises Management
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