In a school or crèche, most of the people in the building cannot be expected to evacuate themselves. A fire risk assessment for an education or childcare setting focuses on how quickly staff can move children out, and on the rooms where a fire is most likely to start.
The legal duty
Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 places a duty on anyone having control of a premises other than a dwelling house to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire, and to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable the safety of people on the premises. Employers must also identify hazards and hold a written risk assessment under section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
What makes schools and childcare different
- Young children: babies and toddlers need to be carried or led, and staff ratios decide how fast that can happen.
- Pupils with additional needs: each needs an individual evacuation plan.
- Practical rooms: science labs, home economics kitchens, woodwork and art rooms.
- Halls and stages: large numbers, curtains, lighting and temporary seating for events.
- Prefabs and extensions: added over the years, sometimes without updating the alarm or escape routes.
- Evening and weekend lettings: clubs and community groups who do not know the building.
What the assessor checks
- Escape routes from every classroom, including upper floors and prefabs.
- Fire alarm coverage and whether it can be heard in every room and outside areas.
- Fire doors on corridors and stairs, and whether they are held open safely.
- Storage of art materials, cleaning chemicals and science stock.
- Kitchen and canteen arrangements.
- Fire drills: how often, how long they take and what was learned.
- Staff training, including substitutes and new starters.
Holiday works and reopening
Summer building work is a common cause of problems: fire doors removed, detectors covered and escape routes changed. Review the assessment before pupils return. Buildings closed for the summer also need their water systems checked. See our legionella checklist for reopening a building.
What you receive
A written report with actions ranked by priority, in language a board of management or owner can act on.
Safer Solutions carries out fire risk assessments in Galway for schools, colleges and childcare providers across the city and county. Call 086 275 9728, email info@safersolutions.ie or request a quote.