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Although schools do not have to have a fire certificate they do have to comply with the fire precautions legislation. New fire regulations in 2006 make persons who are responsible for premises responsible also for ensuring the safety of both the premises and occupants. Schools must have a comprehensive fire safety system based on relevant risk assessments.

Schools should have in place policies that aim to:

keep the risk of fire to a minimum;
safeguard means of escape;
limit the spread of fire;
specify who is responsible for what;
ensure that there are at least two fire drills per year; and
ensure that the lessons from fire drills are assessed and reviewed.

The Head and governors must ensure that fire safety policies are known and implemented.
A senior member of staff should be responsible for fire safety.

Duties will include:

training and fire drills (for staff and pupils);
checking and maintenance of equipment; and
record-keeping.

What teachers should know and do:

how to raise the alarm;
action to be taken on discovering a fire;
evacuation procedure;
assembly area and checking of pupils;
location and use of fire-fighting equipment; and
location of escape routes.

It is important that new teachers are also trained in these procedures and all staff have revision training from time to time.

Name of school fire officer:

Dates of fire drills:

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
See: Project Fire, published by the Home Office. A pack of lessons available for infant, junior, and secondary levels. Available from LAs.
Fire Safety. Published by the DCSF in 2000 as part of the Managing School Facilities series.
Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Educational Premises. (Department for Communities and Local Government 2006.)
www.communities.gov.uk/fire/firesafety/firesafetylaw/aboutguides/
Quick Guides F1 Fire Safety: Points of Law.