School & Educational Facility Fire Risk Assessment
Need a fire risk assessment for your school, academy, college or educational facility? Compare up to three quotes from assessors in the FireRiskQuote network.
Get Up to 3 Free QuotesPage reviewed: September 2026
School Fire Risk Assessment — Quick Facts
- Property: Schools, academies, colleges, nurseries (within schools), special education facilities
- Service: Compare up to 3 quotes
- Indicative price: Smaller primary schools start from £500
- Key issues: Pupil evacuation, fire drills, science labs, workshops, kitchens, varied age groups
- England & Wales: All non-domestic premises fall within the Fire Safety Order
- Scotland: Separate fire safety legislation applies
Do Schools Need a Fire Risk Assessment?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including schools, academies, colleges, and educational facilities. The responsible person must ensure fire safety risks are properly assessed and managed.
Schools present unique challenges due to large numbers of children and young people, varying abilities, science laboratories, workshops, kitchens, and complex layouts. A tailored fire risk assessment is essential to protect pupils, staff, and visitors.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Safety in a School?
The responsible person is typically the governing body, headteacher, trust board, or employer who has control of the premises. In academies and multi-academy trusts, responsibility often lies with the board of trustees.
All staff should receive fire safety training, and fire drills must be held regularly. Designated fire marshals should be assigned across the school.
What Does a School Fire Risk Assessment Cover?
A fire risk assessment for a school examines the premises, activities, people at risk, and fire precautions — with a strong focus on protecting children and enabling safe evacuation.
- Means of escape: routes, exits, signage and accessibility for pupils with disabilities
- Fire doors: condition and suitability, especially between classrooms, corridors and stairwells
- Compartmentation: walls, floors and fire-resisting construction
- Detection and warning: fire alarm systems suitable for noisy environments (visual alarms may be needed for hearing-impaired pupils)
- Emergency lighting: essential for complex layouts and areas without natural light
- Firefighting equipment: extinguishers, fire blankets and their location
- Science laboratories: flammable chemicals, gas supplies, electrical equipment, and extraction
- Design and technology workshops: machinery, soldering, woodworking, and heat-producing tools
- Kitchen and dining areas: ovens, hobs, extraction and grease build-up
- Electrical risks: fixed installations, portable appliances, ICT equipment and charging points
- Heating: boilers, space heaters and heat-producing equipment
- Storage: furniture, equipment, PE apparatus and flammable materials
- People at risk: pupils (including those with SEN/ disabilities), staff, visitors and contractors
- Evacuation of pupils: personal evacuation plans (PEEPs) for those with mobility needs
- Management: staff training, fire drills, maintenance schedules, and emergency plans
- Communication: liaison with emergency services and clear signage
School Fire Risk Assessment Costs
School fire risk assessment costs vary depending on the size, number of buildings, age of the school, occupancy, facilities (labs, workshops, kitchens, etc.) and location.
As a guide, smaller primary schools may start from around £500. Larger secondary schools, colleges or multi-building campuses may cost more.
FireRiskQuote allows you to compare up to three quotes from fire risk assessors, helping you compare both price and what is included.
How to Choose a School Fire Risk Assessor
Experience with educational facilities is valuable when choosing an assessor.
Education Experience
Choose an assessor who understands school layouts, laboratory and workshop risks, and the needs of children and young people.
Qualifications
Look for relevant fire safety qualifications and professional registration (e.g., IFE, IFSM).
Insurance
Ensure appropriate professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Compare Quotes
Look beyond the headline price — compare what each quotation includes.
Information to Give a School Fire Risk Assessor
- Property address or postcode
- Number of buildings, storeys and total floor area
- Age range and number of pupils
- Number of staff and support workers
- Special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision
- Science labs, workshops, kitchens and other specialist areas
- Age and construction type where known
- Fire alarm and detection details
- Fire door and compartmentation information
- Previous fire risk assessment
- Enforcement notices or outstanding actions
- Recent alterations, extensions or changes of use
How a School Fire Risk Assessment Works
1. Tell Us About Your School
Provide location, size, pupil numbers and relevant details.
2. Compare Up to 3 Quotes
Receive quotations from assessors in our network.
3. Choose Your Assessor
Consider competence, experience, scope and price.
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School Fire Risk Assessment FAQs
Do schools need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including schools, academies, colleges, and educational facilities. The responsible person must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out.
Who is responsible for fire safety in a school?
The responsible person is typically the school governing body, headteacher, trust board, or employer who has control of the premises. They must ensure fire safety duties are met.
How much does a school fire risk assessment cost?
Costs vary depending on the size, number of buildings, age of the school, occupancy, and complexity. As a guide, smaller primary schools may start from around £500. Larger secondary schools or multi-building campuses may cost more.
What does a school fire risk assessment include?
It covers means of escape, fire doors, detection and warning, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, science labs and workshops, kitchen and dining areas, evacuation of pupils and staff, fire drills, and management arrangements.
Can I compare more than one school fire risk assessment quote?
Yes. FireRiskQuote helps you submit your requirements and compare up to three quotes from assessors in the network, with no obligation.
Get Up to 3 School Fire Risk Assessment Quotes
Tell us about your school or educational facility and compare quotes from assessors in the FireRiskQuote network.
Request School QuotesDisclaimer: This page provides general guidance and is not fire safety, legal or professional advice. Check current legislation and consult a competent fire risk assessor where appropriate.