A Guide to Fire Safety Standards and Regulations in Schools
Fire safety regulations and the proper use of fire doors is essential in maintaining a safe environment in educational institutions, specifically schools. Adhering to fire safety standards is crucial to ensuring the well being and protection of students, staff and visitors. It is important to understand the specific requirement for fire doors, their purpose in containing the spread of fire and smoke, and the measures that schools should take to ensure their proper installation, maintenance and compliance with regulations in order to keep everyone safe.
Responsibility for Fire Doors in Schools
Schools have a responsibility to prioritise the safety of everyone within their premises, including students, teachers, support staff and visitors. Complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005, schools must ensure that fire doors are installed and maintained correctly. By prioritising the proper installation and maintenance of fire doors, schools demonstrate their commitment to fire safety, providing essential protection for all occupants in the case of an emergency.
Fire Risk Assessment
All schools must adhere to the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation requires the “responsible person” to implement general fire precautions that minimise the risk of fire spread within the premises. This includes the installation, care, and maintenance of fire doors.
The responsible person is typically someone who holds authority over the premises such as a headteacher or facilities manager. They are obligated to conduct a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks faced by the individuals on the premises. The fire risk assessment aims to identify the necessary general fire precautions to comply with the requirements and prohibitions specified.
It is crucial for schools to review their fire risk assessment and determine if any recommendations have been made regarding the current fire doors. This proactive approach ensures that the school remains compliant with safety regulations and maintains a safe environment for all occupants.
Checking Fire Doors in Schools
Fire doors should be checked by the responsible person(s) regularly, with a minimum frequency of every six months. Depending on the level of use, it may be necessary to increase the frequency of checks for maintenance purposes. A daily check should also be conducted to ensure that no exits are being blocked or obstructed.
The responsible person(s) should conduct an inspection to identify any evident damage or issues with the fire doors and record their findings. This information can be recorded on a simple spreadsheet, including the date, any deficiencies discovered, and the completion dates for any remedial actions.
Which Areas of a School Require a Fire Door?
In schools, a fire strategy should be in place to determine the specific locations where fire doors are required. Typically, this strategy is represented by a CAD/plan drawing provided by the building’s architect.
The guidance for school fire safety dictates that specialised fire doors be installed in the following areas:
- Stairways: most schools have at least one stairway that serves as a route out of the building from the upper floors. Protected stairways are designed to create a “fire sterile” area that leads to places of safety and evacuation outside of the building.
- Long corridors: fire doors should be installed in long corridors in order to create a break in the extended space. It is recommended that self-closing fire doors are installed in any corridor that exceeds 12 metres in length and connects two or more exits. Self-closing fire doors prevent the spread of fire and smoke along these extended spaces.
- Rooms of higher risk: there are rooms within educational buildings that are considered ‘higher-risk’. For example, science, technology laboratories, boiler rooms, kitchens and canteens. Higher-rated fire doors such as FD60 and above are recommended for rooms of higher risk.
By implementing appropriate fire strategies and ensuring the correct placement and functionality of fire doors, schools can enhance the safety of their premises and protect occupants in the event of a fire.
Fire-Rated Doors for Schools
Recognising the importance of safety in educational institutions like schools and universities, we offer an extensive array of fully-certified, fire-rated doorsets. We ensure complete compliance with the latest fire safety regulations, providing you with an unrivalled layer of protection and greater peace of mind.
Safeguard your students and staff with our high-quality fire-rated doors. Browse our fire-rated doors range or contact us today to discuss your specific requirements and protect your educational facility as soon as possible.
