Educational facilities and environments are often packed with staff and students, so it’s crucial sufficient fire safety measures are in place. This includes minimising the risk of fires occurring in educational settings, and ensuring tried-and-tested evacuation procedures are in place.
Educational fire risk assessments are an examination of fire safety measures and risks in a nursery, school, college or university property. Fire risk assessments should be arranged by the responsible person, who can be individuals such as a school headteacher, designated fire safety officer or qualified fire safety professional.
Which Educational Properties in the UK require a fire risk assessment?
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all educational properties in the UK require a fire risk assessment, which should be regularly reviewed, especially if there are changes to the structure or its occupants.
Educational properties that require a fire risk assessment include;
- Schools, including primary, secondary and special schools
- Colleges & Universities
- Academies
- Nurseries
- Adult Education Centres
- Outdoor Education Centres
- Music Schools
What does a fire risk assessment in schools or universities include?
A fire risk assessment for educational properties involves an approved contractor visiting the school, nursery, college or university to identify any existing fire hazards. This can include electrical equipment, flammable materials and cooking facilities.
Educational spaces can often pose an elevated level of fire risk, especially areas such as science laboratories and kitchens. The fire risk assessment will also assess the risks to people in the building, taking into account the age and mobility of students and staff. The number of pupils or students on-site at any time will also be taken into account, as well as the potential consequences of a fire scenarios at different parts of the school or complex.
An educational fire risk assessment will identify any measures that are required to reduce or eliminate risks. Elements such as installing fire detection and alarms systems, providing adequate fire safety training and developing fire evacuation plans provided by approved contractors will help schools, colleges and universities protect its students and staff in the event of a fire.
Any fire risk assessment will stress the importance of regular fire drills to familiarise evacuation routes and routines, especially for educational facilities with vulnerable people and younger children.
Benefits of a Melwood Facilities Fire Risk Assessment at Schools and Educational Spaces
For parents, staff and wider communities, nothing is more important than assurance that students are learning in a safe environment.
A Melwood Facilities’ fire risk assessment improves safety for staff and pupils. With potential fire hazards identified, schools and educational centres will be able to reduce the risk of fires occurring, and be better equipped with information required to safely evacuate premises.
With fire hazards minimised, the fire risk assessment should lead to a reduced risk of injury or death in the event of a fire, and ensure all schools and educational facilities are fully compliant with the law.
Importantly, a good standard of fire safety measures can enhance the reputation of a school, nursery or educational space, and even education children and pupils to understand fire risks and how to stay safe if a fire occurs.
Areas We Cover
For a complete fire risk assessment in Wigan, from a team of fully-accredited, certified fire safety assessors, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
Here at Melwood, we’re proud to offer industry-leading, local services to educational properties across the North-West. Some of our most popular areas of service include:
- Greater Manchester (Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Eccles, Wigan, Bolton)
- Lancashire (Preston, Blackpool, Blackburn)
- Merseyside (Liverpool, Warrington, St. Helens)
- Stoke-On-Trent
- Crewe
If you’re looking for a team you can trust, in your local area, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Melwood Facilities today. For more information about our Fire Doors please contact the Melwood team at hello@melwoodfacilities.co.uk.
