SOA

Fire Safety Requirements in Schools

Until 1st October 2006 the 1997 regulations operated alongside the Fire Precautions Act 1971. This Act required certain workplaces, excluding schools, to hold a fire certificate. Fire certificates are no longer required. Instead all employers and other ‘responsible persons’ must comply with the requirement to undertake fire risk assessments.

The legislation implements a risk based approach to fire safety, industrial and business premises. It requires the responsible person (usually the head teacher) to ensure: The Fire and Rescue Authorities are the principal enforcers and have a statutory duty to enforce the requirements of the legislation.

• a sufficient fire safety risk assessment has been carried out;
• the appropriate fire precautionary and protection measures have been put into practice;
• a fire safety management system and emergency plan are implemented;
• a formal log of any significant findings and remedial measures have been recorded; and
• staff have received adequate fire safety training

The local fire and rescue authority enforces the Order in schools. It has the power to inspect premises to check that the Order is being complied with. If the enforcing authority is dissatisfied, an enforcement notice may be issued, requiring improvements to be made. In extreme cases, a prohibition notice may be issued that restricts the use of all or part of the premises until improvements are made.