School Fire Risk Assessment Ofsted-Ready & PEEP Compliant

Schools must evacuate all pupils to protected escape routes or outside air within 2.5 minutes (Class B traditional construction standard). Lesson changeover periods create peak corridor congestion with 500+ pupils simultaneously moving between classes. Bottlenecks at stairwells and narrow corridors delay evacuation during emergencies. Assembly hall occupancy calculations require 0.45 m² per person floor space factor and 100 persons per 750mm exit width capacity. Exit capacity must discount largest exit and verify alternative exits separated by 45° or fire-resistant construction. Termly fire drills (minimum 3 per year) must demonstrate compliance with evacuation time requirements. Register-taking procedures must account for pupils, staff, visitors, contractors, and after-school club participants.

Science laboratories contain Bunsen burners, flammable chemicals, and heat-generating equipment creating significant ignition sources. CLEAPSS guidelines mandate fabric-reinforced PVC gas tubing only (natural rubber prohibited as it degrades with gas exposure causing leaks). Minimum 2-foot distance required between flames and combustible materials. Bunsen burners must never be left unattended when lit. Flammable liquids exceeding 50 liters require purpose-designed metal storage cabinets. Explosion-proof refrigerators mandatory (domestic models prohibited due to ignition sources). Chemical inventories must be current and shared with emergency services. Fire blankets, emergency eyewash stations, and safety goggles must be accessible. 23% of school fires result from electrical/equipment faults making laboratory compliance critical.

Assembly halls accommodate entire school populations requiring precise Building Bulletin 100 compliance. Occupancy calculated using 0.45 m² per person floor space factor for standing assembly. Exit capacity calculated at 100 persons per 750mm door width (+40 persons per additional 150mm). Critical requirement: largest exit must be discounted in capacity calculations ensuring adequate alternative escape routes. Alternative exits must be separated by 45° directionally OR fire-resistant construction. Exit capacity reductions apply: 20% reduction for routes with stairs, 15% reduction for corridors with corners. Emergency lighting must provide 3 hours continuous illumination with monthly functional testing. Assembly points must be large, wide, open areas not blocking emergency service vehicle access and easily accessible to mobility-impaired pupils.

IT rooms and computer labs contain high-density electrical equipment creating cumulative electrical loads. Multiple desktop computers, monitors, servers, and networking equipment generate significant heat in confined spaces. Overloaded circuits represent primary cause of IT room fires. Structured cabling beneath raised access floors requires inspection protocols. Power distribution units and backup batteries age and produce excess heat. Poor cable management creates trip hazards and fire risks from damaged insulation. Dust accumulation in equipment accelerates overheating. Clean agent gas-based fire suppression systems recommended (not water sprinklers which damage electronic equipment). Aspirating smoke detectors provide early incipient stage fire detection. Temperature and humidity monitoring with alarms prevents overheating conditions.

School catering kitchens contain deep fat fryers and cooking equipment creating Class F fire risks. Cooking oils and fats ignite at approximately 340°C representing highest-risk cooking equipment. Standard water extinguishers cause explosive spreading of burning oil (extremely dangerous). CO2 extinguishers fail to cool oil below ignition point causing immediate reignition. Dry powder extinguishers scatter burning oil and contaminate food preparation surfaces. Class F wet chemical extinguishers containing potassium salts are LEGALLY REQUIRED under BS EN 3 standards. Wet chemical extinguishers cool oil and create oxygen barrier preventing reignition. 75F rating indicates 75 liters cooking oil capacity. Red body with yellow panel for identification. Professional extraction hood and ducting cleaning mandatory. Continuous supervision of all heating equipment required.

Equality Act 2010 mandates Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for pupils who cannot evacuate using standard procedures. Failure to provide adequate evacuation = unlawful discrimination. PEEPs required for: mobility impairments (wheelchair users, walking aids), visual impairments (requires sighted guides), hearing impairments (cannot perceive audible alarms), cognitive/learning disabilities (autism, intellectual disability), respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD), and neurological conditions (epilepsy, seizure disorders). Evacuation chairs classified as Class 1 Medical Devices requiring annual professional servicing. Designated staff must receive manufacturer-recognized training on evacuation chair operation. Refuge areas require fire-resisting construction (minimum 30-minute rating), two-way communication systems, and minimum 2 wheelchair spaces (4m²). Critical safety principle: NO PERSON LEFT UNATTENDED in refuge areas—fire services will not conduct routine rescue.