Fire Alarm System Requirements for Schools and Educational Premises

Whether you are a headteacher ensuring compliance, a member of staff who must respond quickly or a parent seeking reassurance about safety, understanding the importance of a reliable school fire alarm system is essential. 

In the UK, protecting students, staff, and visitors from the risk of fire is not just good practice; it’s a legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Whether you are involved in day-to-day safety, supporting fire drills, or simply want to know how your school stays protected, knowing the requirements helps keep everyone safe.

Understanding the Legal Framework

UK fire safety law sets clear responsibilities for schools and other educational premises. The “responsible person”, usually the headteacher, facilities manager, or school business leader, must make sure the site has effective fire safety measures in place and that they are properly maintained.

This includes:

• A suitable fire alarm system – Designed and maintained in line with BS 5839-1:2025 (which replaced BS 5839‑1:2017 on 30 April 2025) to ensure early detection and warning.
• Emergency lighting – Installed along escape routes and in key areas, with at least three hours’ operation during a power cut.
• Regular inspection and servicing – Routine checks to keep systems fully operational and compliant.
• A written fire risk assessment – Identifies hazards, people at risk, and control measures. This must be reviewed annually or when significant changes occur.

The Department for Education also issues detailed guidance, including “Fire Safety in New and Existing School Buildings”, to help you interpret and apply these requirements. 

Educational Premises Fire Risk Assessment

Before you install or upgrade a fire alarm system, you must carry out a fire risk assessment. This is a legal requirement and highlights potential hazards, identifies who could be at risk, and sets out measures to remove or reduce those risks.

For schools, your assessment should include:

• Assessing high-risk areas – Science laboratories, design and technology workshops, kitchens, boiler rooms, and storage areas for flammable materials.
• Reviewing evacuation plans – Make sure pupils and staff with mobility impairments or other disabilities have clear Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
• Checking escape routes and signage – Ensure all routes are free from obstruction, doors open in the direction of travel, and signage to assembly points is visible and well-lit.
• Considering the time of day – Account for variations in building use, such as after-school clubs, evening events, and exam periods when certain rooms may be in continuous use.
  Looking at staffing levels – Ensure trained fire wardens are available at all times when the building is occupied.

Your risk assessment should be reviewed at least once a year, or sooner if there are significant changes to the building layout, pupil numbers, or activities.

You can find official guidance and templates for carrying out a fire risk assessment on the GOV.UK website.

Choosing the Right Fire Alarm System for Schools in the UK

The right fire alarm system for your school will be determined by your fire risk assessment. This ensures the system matches your building layout, occupancy patterns, and specific fire risks. In the UK, school fire alarm systems are generally designed to one of the following categories:

Category L1 – Maximum Life Protection
Automatic detection is installed in every room, corridor, and hidden space, providing the earliest possible warning of fire. This is often chosen for large schools, boarding schools, or sites with complex evacuation needs.

Category L2 – Additional Life Protection
Automatic detection is provided in escape routes and high-risk areas such as science labs, design and technology workshops, kitchens, and plant rooms. This approach balances safety with reduced false alarms and is commonly used in mainstream primary and secondary schools.

Category M – Manual Systems
Relies solely on manual call points with no automatic detection. These are only suitable for very small, low-risk buildings with simple layouts, such as a detached temporary classroom, and are rarely appropriate for schools.

Choosing the right category is critical to meeting legal requirements and ensuring early detection and safe evacuation. A BAFE-accredited fire alarm installer can advise on the correct category during your fire risk assessment, helping you stay compliant and keep everyone on site protected.

Fire Alarm Installation in Schools

When planning a school fire alarm installation in Manchester, it’s essential to work with a BAFE-accredited provider. This accreditation confirms that the company meets recognised industry standards for competency, quality, and safety.

Choosing a BAFE-accredited installer means you get:

• Compliance with BS 5839-1:2025 – covering design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
• A tailored system – designed for your building’s layout, occupancy, and specific risks.
• Integration with safety measures – such as emergency lighting, automatic door release, and alarm monitoring for rapid fire service response.
• Clear documentation and training – including commissioning certificates, maintenance schedules, and user instructions.

Professional Fire Alarm Installation for Schools

Every school site is unique, with its own building layout, occupancy patterns, and specific fire risks. A professional installation ensures your system is designed and fitted to meet those exact needs while complying with legal standards for design, installation, and commissioning.

At Jackson Fire & Security Manchester, we provide a complete, compliant service for schools across the region. Our BAFE-accredited, DBS-checked engineers are trained to work in educational settings, delivering safe and efficient installations for both new buildings and upgrades to existing systems.

Fire Alarm Regulations After Installation

Installing a fire alarm system is only the first step. UK regulations require schools to keep systems in full working order through regular testing, servicing, and staff training. This ensures the system remains reliable and ready for use in an emergency.

Routine Testing and Servicing

Arrange for a BAFE-accredited engineer to carry out regular maintenance. This should include visual checks of all components, functional testing of detectors and sounders, and replacing batteries where needed.

Annual Inspection

Schedule a full inspection at least once a year to confirm the system meets current standards. Any worn, damaged, or outdated parts should be repaired or replaced immediately.

Staff Training and Fire Drills

Hold fire drills at least once every term so staff and pupils are familiar with evacuation procedures. Train all staff on how to operate manual call points and refresh this training annually.

Why Schools Choose Jackson Fire & Security in Manchester

At Jackson Fire & Security, we have decades of experience supporting schools across the UK with fire alarm systems that meet legal requirements and deliver lasting reliability. We understand the challenges schools face, from safeguarding high-risk areas like laboratories to planning for the safe evacuation of pupils with additional needs.

When you partner with us, you benefit from:

• End-to-end service – From risk assessment to installation and ongoing maintenance.
• Local expertise – A Manchester-based team familiar with local authority standards.
• Accredited engineers – BAFE-registered and DBS-checked professionals.
• Tailored solutions – Designed to your site, budget, and safety needs.
• Ongoing support – Scheduled maintenance, inspections, and testing year-round.

Choosing Jackson Fire & Security Manchester means choosing a long-term safety partner. We keep your school compliant, reduce risk, and ensure your pupils, staff, and premises are protected every day. 

Contact us to discuss your school’s fire safety requirements and see how we can help you meet every standard with confidence.