If you’re a headteacher, facilities manager, or part of the senior leadership team at a school or college in Surrey, you’ve already got plenty to juggle. Lesson timetables, budgets, staffing… and somewhere on that list, fire safety.
It might not grab headlines like Ofsted inspections or exam results, but fire safety is one of those areas where getting it wrong isn’t an option.
A fire in an educational setting isn’t just a building problem — it’s a safeguarding issue, a community issue, and a legal one.
Here’s what the law says, how it applies to schools and colleges across Surrey, and what you need to do to stay compliant.
The Law on Fire Safety in Schools
In the UK, all schools and colleges — whether they’re maintained, independent, academies, or further education — are covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
That means there must be a “suitable and sufficient” Fire Risk Assessment in place, and the Responsible Person must ensure that:
✅ Fire safety risks are identified and reduced.
✅ Escape routes are protected, clearly signed, and kept clear.
✅ Fire alarms, emergency lighting, and extinguishers are installed and maintained.
✅ Staff and pupils know what to do in the event of a fire.
In most cases, the Responsible Person is the headteacher, principal, governing body, or trust — depending on who controls the premises.
This law applies to every school building in Surrey — from small village primaries in Cranleigh to large secondary campuses in Guildford, Woking, and Reigate.
You can find official guidance on the GOV.UK Fire Safety in Schools page.
The Fire Safety Risk Assessment
Every educational setting must have a written Fire Risk Assessment (FRA).
This document identifies potential hazards and sets out the measures needed to reduce risk.
For schools and colleges, it should include:
• Building layout and evacuation routes
• Staff and pupil numbers — including those with disabilities or mobility needs
• Classroom activities — science labs, art rooms, workshops, kitchens, etc.
• Fire detection and alarm coverage
• Emergency lighting and signage
• Maintenance routines for fire doors, alarms, and extinguishers
• Drill procedures and training schedules
Your FRA isn’t a one-off task. It should be reviewed at least annually, and updated whenever something changes — for example, a refurbishment, new classroom block, or a change in pupil numbers.
The Department for Education’s Expectations
The Department for Education (DfE) provides its own detailed fire safety guidance for schools, which sits alongside the legal framework.
It recommends that:
- Fire precautions are built into all new school designs (under Building Bulletin 100).
- Fire Risk Assessments are carried out by competent, experienced professionals.
- Schools record all testing, maintenance, and drills in a fire safety logbook.
- Staff receive fire safety and evacuation training appropriate to their role.
You can read the latest DfE guidance here:
Department for Education – Fire Safety in New and Existing School Buildings.
What Surrey Fire & Rescue Look For
Surrey Fire & Rescue Service is responsible for enforcing the Fire Safety Order across the county.
When they visit educational premises, they’ll want to see:
• A current, written Fire Risk Assessment
• Records of maintenance and testing for alarms, lights, and extinguishers
• A clear fire evacuation plan for staff, pupils, and visitors
• Evidence of staff training and drills
• Well-maintained fire doors and escape routes
They don’t expect perfection — but they do expect to see a clear system in place and evidence that you take your duties seriously.
Common Fire Safety Issues in Schools
Over the years, we’ve seen the same problems crop up in schools time and again:
🚫 Blocked or cluttered escape routes — especially in corridors used for displays or storage.
🚫 Propped open fire doors — great for airflow, terrible for safety.
🚫 Outdated fire alarms or emergency lighting — not tested or recorded properly.
🚫 Incomplete Fire Risk Assessments — missing out practical activities like science, catering, or maintenance work.
🚫 Lack of staff training — especially among temporary or new staff.
The good news? All of these are preventable with regular checks and a bit of structure.
Fire Drills and Staff Training
Fire drills are not optional — they’re an essential part of your legal duty.
Schools and colleges should run at least one drill per term, ideally unannounced.
Record every drill in your fire logbook, noting how long evacuation took and whether any problems were observed (blocked exits, confusion, missing registers, etc.).
Staff training should cover:
• How to raise the alarm and use extinguishers (if appropriate)
• How to help pupils evacuate calmly and safely
• What to do if a pupil or colleague has mobility needs
• How to report hazards or maintenance issues
If you employ cleaning, catering, or maintenance staff, remember — they need training too.
Building Safety and Refurbishment
If you’re planning building work or extensions, fire safety must be built into the design from day one.
That means complying with Building Regulations Part B and the DfE’s Building Bulletin 100.
For major works, you’ll likely need to liaise with Surrey Building Control and possibly your local fire safety officer to review plans.
Poor design decisions — like blocked escape routes or missing fire separation — can be expensive to fix later, so it’s worth getting it right early.
You can check guidance on fire-safe construction via the Surrey County Council Building Control Service.
Working with Competent Professionals
Fire safety for schools and colleges is a specialist area — with additional considerations for children, young people, and vulnerable users.
That’s why your Fire Risk Assessment should always be done by a competent person with relevant experience.
Look for assessors who are registered with:
- The Institute of Fire Safety Managers
- The Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE)
- The Fire Sector Federation Competence Register
- Or third-party certification bodies like BAFE or FRACS.
This ensures your assessment meets national standards and can withstand scrutiny from fire officers or insurers.
Staying Compliant in Surrey
At Fire Risk Assessment Surrey, we work with schools, academies, and colleges across Guildford, Woking, Camberley, Farnham, and Epsom to help them stay compliant, safe, and inspection-ready.
We carry out full Fire Risk Assessments, review your existing fire precautions, and provide a clear action plan with practical, affordable recommendations.
We also help you set up logbooks, maintenance schedules, and training frameworks — everything you need to meet legal and DfE expectations.
Because when it comes to fire safety in education, “good enough” isn’t good enough.
Book your School or College Fire Risk Assessment in Surrey and make sure your students, staff, and buildings are protected.
