Fire Alarm Systems for Schools, Colleges and Universities
Fire alarms play a vital role in safeguarding students, staff, and visitors across the education sector.
Whether you’re managing a nursery, school, or university campus, your fire alarm system must be reliable, compliant, and tailored to the way your premises operate.
At Hoyles Fire & Safety, we design, install, service, and monitor fire alarm systems for schools and educational premises of all sizes. From compact wireless fire alarms in nurseries to complex multi-building installations in universities, we deliver complete fire alarm solutions with ongoing support you can trust.
Why fire alarms are essential for schools and colleges
Every educational setting must have a robust and fully functional school fire alarm system in place, in line with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and BS 5839-1.
Whether you’re a school business manager, estates lead, or part of a multi-academy trust, you are responsible for ensuring:
- Your fire alarm system is suitable for the size and complexity of the building
- Staff and pupils can evacuate safely and efficiently
- Systems are properly maintained, tested, and monitored
- Fire alarm activations trigger the right response, day or night
Hoyles can help you meet all these responsibilities with a complete service offering – from initial design to post-installation support.
Tailored fire alarm systems for schools and nurseries
Primary schools, nurseries, and early years settings often require bespoke fire alarm systems that consider the age and behaviour of their occupants. We install clear, effective, and child-safe systems that include:
- Wireless fire alarms for minimal disruption and ease of expansion
- Low-level call points for supervised access
- Zoning and phased evacuation options
- Integration with access control and lockdown systems
Our fire alarms for schools are designed with safeguarding, accessibility, and daily operation in mind, ensuring the system works with your building, not against it.
Fire alarm installations for colleges and universities
University fire alarm systems and college installations must account for large-scale, multi-use sites, often with lecture halls, student accommodation, laboratories, and public access areas.
We provide:
- Site-wide fire alarm design and installation
- Zoned or networked systems across multiple buildings
- Wired and wireless system integration
- Scalable solutions for growing campuses
- Integration with existing estate infrastructure
Whether you’re upgrading part of a system or planning a full installation, we’ll ensure compliance, reliability, and ease of management across your site.
Ongoing fire alarm maintenance for education settings
A fire alarm is only effective if it’s maintained. At Hoyles, we provide scheduled fire alarm maintenance contracts to keep your systems compliant, operational, and fully documented.
Our services include:
- Six-monthly inspections in line with BS 5839-1
- Fault diagnostics and remedial work
- Battery checks, device testing, and software updates
- Full reporting for audits, insurance and board review
We offer maintenance for both Hoyles-installed and third-party systems across all education settings.
Fire alarm monitoring for out-of-hours protection
Most schools and universities are left unoccupied outside of core hours. Our fire alarm monitoring services connect your system to a 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), ensuring that if your fire alarm is triggered, the appropriate action is taken – even when no one is on site.
Monitoring can:
- Reduce response times and potential damage
- Alert keyholders and emergency services automatically
- Offer peace of mind during evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Integrate with intruder alarms and security systems
How we support fire alarms in education
We have decades of experience working with:
- Primary and secondary schools
- Independent schools and MATs
- Colleges and sixth forms
- Universities and student accommodation
- Nurseries and early years settings
We work directly with site managers, estates teams, and education authorities to deliver compliant, cost-effective, and long-lasting fire alarm solutions.
Fully trained engineers
- Nationwide coverage via the LS Fire Group
- Flexible service and maintenance contracts
- Sector-specific experience and support
- Transparent pricing and tailored advice
Fire safety is a responsibility that never rests and we’re here to implement complete fire protection for your business. Get in touch with our industry-leading experts to learn how we prevent fires, protect lives, and ensure compliance for you.
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FAQs
- What type of fire alarm system is best for a school?
- The best system depends on your building size, layout, and risk profile. Many schools benefit from addressable fire alarms, while wireless fire alarm systems are ideal for heritage buildings or where cabling is difficult.
- Are wireless fire alarms suitable for schools and nurseries?
- Yes, wireless fire alarms offer fast installation, minimal disruption, and flexibility for future expansion. They’re a great choice for primary schools and nurseries, especially where traditional wiring is impractical.
- How often should school fire alarms be serviced?
- Fire alarm maintenance should be carried out at least every six months in accordance with BS 5839-1. We offer planned maintenance contracts to keep your system compliant and fully functional.
- Can Hoyles take over the maintenance of our existing fire alarm system?
- Yes. We can take over the servicing and maintenance of existing systems, even if they were installed by another provider. Our engineers will carry out a system check before adding you to our maintenance schedule.
- Do you offer fire alarm installation for new school buildings?
- Absolutely. We provide complete fire alarm installations for schools, whether it’s a new build, refurbishment, or extension. We work closely with contractors, project managers, and education authorities to ensure seamless delivery.
- Do you install university fire alarm systems?
- Yes, we work with higher education providers to design, install, and maintain university fire alarm systems, including multi-building and campus-wide solutions. We also support student accommodation and specialist facilities.
- Is fire alarm monitoring necessary for schools?
- While not legally required, fire alarm monitoring is highly recommended, especially for schools left unoccupied overnight or during holidays. Monitoring ensures alarms are responded to quickly, even when the building is empty.
- What areas do you cover for school fire alarm services?
- We operate across the UK, including West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, the Midlands, and the North East. As part of the LS Fire Group, we can deliver both local and national fire alarm services for schools and colleges.