What Happens During A School Fire Risk Assessment?

A school fire risk assessment is a critical part of keeping pupils, staff, and visitors safe. It’s not only a legal requirement, it’s a practical process that helps identify risks, improve safety measures, and ensure your school is prepared in the event of a fire.

Whether you’re managing a primary school, nursery, or academy, understanding what happens during a fire risk assessment for schools can help you stay compliant and confident that your building is properly protected.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the process step by step, from initial inspection, right through to final recommendations.

Why are fire risk assessments for schools important?

Fire risk assessments for schools are a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all non-domestic premises in the UK. This legislation places a duty on the ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure that fire risks are identified, assessed, and managed appropriately.

In a school environment, the stakes are even higher. Schools often have large numbers of occupants, including young children who may need assistance during an evacuation. A thorough school fire risk assessment helps ensure:

• Safe evacuation routes are in place and clearly marked
• Fire detection and alarm systems are suitable and functioning
• Staff understand their roles in an emergency
• Pupils can exit the building safely and quickly

Fire safety is also a key consideration for inspections and governance. A well-documented fire risk assessment for schools demonstrates that appropriate steps are being taken to meet safety standards and protect everyone on site.

Who is responsible for fire risk assessments in schools?

Responsibility for conducting a school fire risk assessment lies with the designated responsible person. In most cases, this will be a member of school leadership, a facilities manager, the governing body, or the building owner.

Their duties include ensuring that:

• A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out
• Fire safety measures are implemented and maintained
• Staff are trained and aware of procedures
• The assessment is regularly reviewed and updated

Many schools choose to work with external fire safety specialists, like Hoyles Fire & Safety. This is because hiring experienced professionals like us ensures that your fire risk assessment is thorough, compliant, and aligned with current legislation and best practice.

What happens during a school fire risk assessment?

A school fire risk assessment involves a detailed review of the building, its use, and the potential risks present. The aim is to identify hazards, evaluate existing safety measures, and recommend improvements where needed.

Here’s a breakdown of how our specialists here at Hoyles approach fire risk assessments for schools.

1. Reviewing the school building and layout

Our assessors will begin by reviewing the overall layout of your premises. This includes classrooms, corridors, stairwells, assembly halls, kitchens, offices, storage areas, and any external spaces used by staff, pupils, or visitors.

They’ll look at how many people move through the building during the school day, how different spaces are used, and whether the layout supports safe and efficient evacuation. This is particularly important in schools with multiple entrances, temporary classrooms, shared halls, split level layouts, or detached buildings, where evacuation routes may be more complex.

Our assessors will also consider how younger children, visitors, and those unfamiliar with your site would be guided to safety in an emergency.

2. Identifying fire hazards

Next, our assessors will identify potential fire hazards across your site. This will often include everyday risks as well as higher risk areas linked to specialist equipment or storage. Some common examples include:

• Electrical equipment such as computers, whiteboards, printers, and projectors
• Science labs and specialist teaching areas
• Kitchens and cooking equipment
• Storage rooms containing paper, chemicals, cleaning products, or flammable materials

Our assessors will also look at housekeeping standards, waste storage, overloaded sockets, portable heaters, and any areas where combustible materials may be stored close to heat sources. The aim is to highlight anything that could increase the likelihood of a fire starting or allow it to spread more quickly if one were to occur.

3. Checking fire detection and alarm systems

Fire alarm systems are a key part of any school fire risk assessment. Our specialists will review whether your system is appropriate for the size, layout, and use of the building, and whether it’s being properly maintained and tested. This will include checking:

• Coverage of detectors across the site
• Functionality of call points and sounders
• Testing procedures and maintenance records

They’ll also consider whether alarm signals can be clearly heard in classrooms, halls, offices, and outdoor teaching spaces, particularly during busy periods. In larger schools, academies, or sites with multiple buildings, our assessors may review whether the current system gives enough coverage across all areas and whether any extensions or upgrades may be needed.

4. Assessing fire escape routes and evacuation plans

Clear and accessible escape routes are essential in any school. That’s why our assessors will review all exits, corridors, stairways, and final exit points to ensure they’re unobstructed, easy to use, and clearly marked.

They’ll also assess your evacuation procedures including assembly points, staff responsibilities during an evacuation, and plans for supporting pupils with disabilities or additional needs.

As well as that, our assessors will look at how evacuation works during different times of the day, such as during assemblies, breaktimes, lunchtime periods, or after school activities. The aim is to check that routes are suitable for the number and age of occupants, and that there are clear arrangements in place for visitors, contractors, and anyone who may need assistance leaving the building.

5. Inspecting fire safety equipment

A fire risk assessment for schools will also include checking the condition and suitability of fire safety equipment throughout the premises. This helps confirm that the measures in place are appropriate for the type of building and the risks identified.

Some equipment that is typically checked includes:

• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency lighting
• Fire doors
• Fire signage

Our assessors will check whether this equipment is correctly positioned, in good condition, and regularly maintained. They’ll also review whether your extinguishers are suitable for the areas they protect, whether emergency lighting supports safe evacuation during a power failure, and whether fire doors are closing properly and helping to protect escape routes.

6. Reviewing fire safety training and drills

Finally, our specialists will review how well staff and pupils are prepared to respond in the event of a fire. Having the right equipment and procedures in place is only part of the picture. People also need to know what to do and how to respond under pressure.

This part of the review includes looking at:

• Staff fire safety training
• Fire warden roles and responsibilities
• Frequency and effectiveness of fire drills

Our assessors will also consider how new staff are inducted, how often refresher training is provided, and whether drills reflect realistic evacuation scenarios.

In school settings, it’s especially important that staff understand how to manage younger children, support pupils with additional needs, and maintain calm during an evacuation.

What happens after a school fire risk assessment?

Once your assessment is complete, our assessor will provide you with a detailed report outlining the findings, which typically includes:

• A summary of identified risks
• A risk rating based on severity
• Clear recommendations for improvement
• An action plan with prioritised steps

This documentation is an important part of your compliance record and should be kept up to date. It provides a clear roadmap for improving fire safety and helps demonstrate that your school is meeting its legal obligations.

How often should fire risk assessments for schools be reviewed?

A school fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly to make sure it remains accurate, relevant, and effective. While the assessment itself isn’t always something that needs to be rewritten from scratch each year, it should be formally reviewed to confirm that nothing has changed which could affect fire safety.

Best practice dictates that schools should:

• Review the assessment at least once every 12 months
• Update it after any significant changes to the building layout, occupancy, or how spaces are used
• Reassess following a fire incident, near miss, or any concerns raised during inspections or drills

For example, changes such as new classrooms, temporary buildings, alterations to corridors or exits, or increased use of certain spaces can all affect your existing fire precautions. The same applies if staffing structures change or new pupils with additional evacuation needs join the school.

Keeping your fire risk assessment up to date helps ensure your fire safety measures continue to reflect the day to day use of your building and that staff and pupils remain properly protected.

Get in touch with us for your school fire risk assessment

A well-planned and regularly reviewed school fire risk assessment is essential for protecting pupils, staff, and your wider organisation. It ensures you remain compliant, prepared, and confident in your fire safety arrangements.

At Hoyles Fire & Safety, we work with schools, nurseries, and other educational organisations across the UK to deliver thorough, compliant fire risk assessments for schools with the support of the LS Fire Group.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to arrange your fire risk assessment or to speak to one of our fire safety specialists.