Fire Risk Assessments for Schools and Academies
Our fire risk assessments for schools help education providers understand their fire risks, identify practical improvements and maintain suitable fire safety arrangements. We work with primary schools, secondary schools, independent schools, special schools, academies, colleges, nurseries and Multi-Academy Trusts throughout Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cardiff, Newport and Exeter.
At Wyvern Risk Management Limited, we consider the realities of a busy school environment, including pupils, staff, contractors, parents, visitors and community users. Our findings are presented clearly, with proportionate actions that your leadership, estates or site team can understand and manage.
Contact us today to discuss fire risk assessments for schools and obtain your fixed-price quote.
Request A Fixed Quotation or call us on 0800 593 0916
What Does a School Fire Risk Assessment Cover?
A school fire risk assessment considers both the physical condition of the premises and the way fire safety is managed day to day. The assessment scope is agreed before the visit and reflects the buildings, activities and risks present at your school.
Classrooms, Corridors and Escape Routes
We consider how pupils, staff and visitors would leave the building in an emergency, including:
- Escape routes, corridors, stairways, final exits and assembly arrangements
- Classroom layouts, halls and circulation spaces
- Furniture, storage, displays and equipment that may affect evacuation
- Security arrangements, access control and locks that could delay escape
- The needs of pupils or staff who may require assistance to evacuate
Kitchens, Science Laboratories and Higher-Risk Areas
Higher-risk areas require particular attention. This can include catering kitchens, food technology rooms, science laboratories, design and technology workshops, plant rooms, electrical cupboards and boiler rooms. We also consider relevant flammable materials, hazardous substances, external waste storage, ignition sources and potential arson risks.
Fire Doors, Alarms and Other Fire Safety Measures
We visually observe fire doors and obvious issues that may affect their performance, alongside fire alarm arrangements, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, signage and relevant maintenance records.
A fire risk assessment is not a substitute for specialist alarm testing, emergency-lighting testing, extinguisher servicing or a dedicated fire door inspection.
Request a Fire Risk Assessment Quote For Your School
Every school site is different. From a single occupied building to a large campus with temporary classrooms and shared facilities, we will agree an appropriate scope before attending.
Fire Risk Assessments Planned Around Your School
Our fire risk assessments for schools are planned around safeguarding, access requirements and the normal operation of your educational setting. We work with the school business manager, headteacher, site manager, estates lead or trust representative to agree a suitable visit plan.
Access, Timing and School Operations
We can discuss term-time, school holiday and out-of-hours appointments, subject to availability and the needs of the site. Teaching can often continue during an assessment, although access to relevant rooms, escape routes, plant areas and records will be required.
Safeguarding and Visitor Procedures
We follow the school's visitor sign-in, identification, safeguarding and escort procedures while on site.
Larger and Shared Sites
Multiple buildings, mobile or temporary classrooms, sports facilities, caretaker accommodation, shared premises and community areas can all affect the planning and scope of the assessment.
We make sure these arrangements are understood from the outset.
Arrange a Fire Risk Assessment at a Suitable Time
We will work with you to minimise disruption while ensuring the assessment can be completed properly. Tell us about your site, occupancy, access restrictions and preferred dates.
What Will Your School Receive After the Fire Risk Assessment?
Following your assessment, you will receive a written fire risk assessment report that records the agreed scope, the areas inspected and the key findings for your school.
A Clear Report and Prioritised Action Plan
Your report will typically include:
- The areas and premises covered by the assessment
- Identified fire hazards and people at risk
- Findings on existing fire precautions and management arrangements
- A prioritised action plan with recommended timescales
- Photographs and location references where helpful
- Any inaccessible areas, limitations or further investigations required
- Significant findings requiring attention
We provide reports in the agreed delivery format and within the agreed turnaround time. If urgent concerns are identified during the visit, we will raise these with the appropriate school contact as soon as possible.
Support With Understanding the Findings
We are available to explain the significant findings and recommended actions within the agreed service. If return visits, action-plan reviews or additional support are needed, we can discuss the most appropriate option for your school.
Receive a Report Your Site Team Can Use
Our aim is to give you a practical document that helps you manage fire safety, assign actions and keep suitable records. Speak to Wyvern Risk Management Limited to discuss your school's requirements.
Who Is Responsible for Fire Safety in a School?
The Responsible Person, together with others who control the premises, is responsible for ensuring suitable fire safety arrangements are in place at a school. The exact arrangements vary depending on whether the school is maintained, part of an academy trust or independently operated.
Roles May Include
Depending on the school's structure, responsibility may involve:
- The employer
- The governing body
- The local authority
- The academy trust
- The proprietor of an independent school
- School leadership and site management teams
- Other dutyholders with control over parts of the premises
In England, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the Responsible Person to take general fire precautions and maintain a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Relevant Department for Education guidance for educational premises should also be considered.
Appointing an external assessor supports your school's fire safety duties, but it does not transfer legal responsibility entirely to the assessor. The school and relevant dutyholders remain responsible for acting on significant findings and maintaining ongoing fire safety arrangements.
Need Help Understanding Your Fire Safety Duties?
We can help you understand the findings of your assessment and provide clear recommendations for improvement. Contact our team for professional, proportionate support.
When Should a School Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?
A school fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe it may no longer be suitable or current. A review may be needed after changes to building layout, extensions, refurbishment, increased occupancy, altered room use, changes to evacuation procedures or new fire safety concerns.
A fire, near miss, false alarm trend or identified deficiency may also justify an earlier review. Reviewing an existing assessment is not always the same as commissioning a completely new assessment; the right approach depends on the scale of change and the quality of the current documentation.
Department for Education guidance indicates that schools should consider an annual review, or at least every three years, alongside reviews prompted by changes or concerns.
Keep Your Fire Safety Arrangements Up To Date
If your school has changed, expanded or altered how it uses its premises, it may be time to review your fire risk assessment. Call us for straightforward advice and a quotation.
Request A Fixed Quotation or call us on 0800 593 0916
How Our School Fire Risk Assessment Service Works
Our school fire risk assessment process is designed to be straightforward, well planned and appropriate to your site.
1. Tell Us About Your School
Enquire today with our specialist team and tell us what you require. We then confirm the likely scope, access needs and quotation.
2. Prepare for the Assessment Visit
Before the visit, we may ask for existing fire risk assessments, floor plans, maintenance records, fire drill information and relevant policies.
3. On-Site Assessment
Our assessor inspects accessible areas within the agreed scope and reviews relevant documentation. Any urgent concerns are communicated promptly to the appropriate contact.
4. Receive Your Report and Action Plan
You receive your report within the agreed turnaround time, with findings and priorities explained clearly. Your school can contact us with questions about the next steps.
Get a No-Obligation Quote For Your School's Fire Risk Assessment
Whether you manage one school or a portfolio of academy buildings, we can discuss your requirements and provide a clear fixed-price quote.
Why Choose Wyvern Risk Management for Holiday Let Fire Risk Assessments?
We provide professional, proportionate advice for people responsible for guest accommodation across the South West and South Wales.
BAFE SP205 Accredited
Our fire risk assessment service is independently accredited to the BAFE SP205 standard and backed by UKAS. This gives schools confidence that assessments are completed through a robust, quality-focused process.
Fully Insured and Qualified
We are fully insured and hold recognised industry credentials, including SSAIB certification, FPA certification, FIA certification and IFSM accreditation.
30+ Years of Experience
Our service is underpinned by more than 30 years of practical Fire & Rescue Service experience. This helps us identify relevant risks and make proportionate recommendations for educational premises.
Fixed-Price Quotes & Clear Reports
We provide free, fixed-price quotes with no hidden charges. Following the assessment, you receive a detailed, prioritised report within the agreed timeframe.
Bespoke Ongoing Support
Our recommendations reflect your building, its use and the people who occupy it. We can also provide re-inspection reminders and additional fire safety support, including fire door inspections, online training, consultation and emergency planning.
Book Fire Risk Assessments for Schools Today
Protect your people, premises and reputation with a professional fire risk assessment from Wyvern Risk Management Limited.
Request A Fixed Quotation or call us on 0800 593 0916
Trusted Across the South West
Read what our clients say about our expertise, clear reporting and reliable approach to fire safety compliance.
I would like to comment that the whole process from booking and enquiring was easy and effortless right through to follow up email and visit is of excellent service.
Real quality in delivery of a bespoke assessment that suits our needs. Would recommend to other organisations.
Colin Spencer Halsey
The Palace Theatre
Paignton
Thank you, Marc, for all your help and advice. You put me at ease with your professional and excellent knowledge.
I would highly recommend others to put their business in your safe hands for their fire safety needs.
Maria Sheldon
Bath Fudge Shop
Bath
Marc was very helpful on the phone when booking. He was punctual and completed the assessment quickly and thoroughly. He gave some good advice, and the report was received within 48 hours. Would highly recommend.
Ed Hobbs
Norwood Utilities
Bristol
Fire Risk Assessments For Schools Frequently Asked Questions
Does a school need a professional fire risk assessment?
Schools must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England. A professional fire risk assessor is not required in every case, but an external competent assessor is often appropriate for complex sites, larger schools, academies or where specialist fire safety knowledge is needed. Wyvern Risk Management provides BAFE SP205-accredited fire risk assessments for schools.
Who is responsible for arranging a fire risk assessment in a school?
The Responsible Person and those who control the premises are responsible for ensuring suitable fire safety arrangements are in place. Depending on the school, this may include the employer, governing body, local authority, academy trust, independent-school proprietor, headteacher, business manager or site management team. Appointing an assessor does not transfer the duty to act on findings.
Can a school fire risk assessment take place during term time?
Yes. A school fire risk assessment can usually be completed during term time with suitable planning. Wyvern Risk Management works with the school’s nominated contact to agree access, safeguarding procedures and timings that minimise disruption. Holiday, out-of-hours and term-time appointments may be available depending on the site and assessor availability.
What happens if urgent fire safety issues are identified?
If urgent fire safety concerns are found during the assessment, the assessor will raise them promptly with the appropriate school contact. The written fire risk assessment report will record significant findings and provide a prioritised action plan. The school or relevant dutyholder remains responsible for taking appropriate action to manage the risk.
How often should a school fire risk assessment be reviewed?
A school fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever it may no longer be suitable or current. This may follow refurbishment, building alterations, changes in occupancy, new room uses, changes to evacuation arrangements, a fire or near miss. Department for Education guidance indicates schools should consider an annual review, or at least every three years, alongside change-driven reviews.
Does each school in a Multi-Academy Trust need its own fire risk assessment?
Yes, each school premises within a Multi-Academy Trust should have a fire risk assessment that reflects its own buildings, layout, occupancy, activities and fire safety arrangements. Trust-wide policies can support consistency, but they do not replace a site-specific assessment. Wyvern Risk Management can discuss assessments for individual schools or a portfolio of academy buildings.
Do temporary classrooms and modular school buildings need to be included in a fire risk assessment?
Yes. Temporary classrooms, modular buildings, mobile units and other occupied school structures should be included within the agreed fire risk assessment scope. Their escape routes, fire alarm arrangements, emergency lighting, heating, electrical systems, occupancy and links to the main site must be considered, along with any shared access or evacuation arrangements.
Arrange Your School Fire Risk Assessment
Need a competent assessor for your educational premises? Speak to our friendly team about your school buildings, preferred appointment times and assessment requirements. We will provide clear advice and a no-obligation fixed-price quotation.
0800 593 0916info@wyvernriskmanagement.co.uk
Book Fire Risk Assessments for Schools Today
Protect your people, premises and reputation with a professional fire risk assessment from Wyvern Risk Management Limited.
Serving schools across Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Cardiff, Newport and Exeter, we are ready to help you take a clear, practical approach to fire safety.