Vigilance Fire Safety

Fire Risk Assessments for Schools, Nurseries and Sports Centres

Fixed-fee fire risk assessments for schools, academies, nurseries, colleges, leisure centres and sports clubs across Milton Keynes, Bedford, London and the Home Counties.

What is a school fire risk assessment?

A school or sports centre fire risk assessment is a written review of the fire hazards on site, the pupils, staff and visitors at risk, and whether escape routes, alarms, fire doors, evacuation procedures and arrangements for children and disabled people are adequate. It is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for schools, nurseries, colleges, leisure centres and sports clubs.

Every assessment is carried out personally by Ray Amoah (ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment, DipFRA, MIFSM, FPA member), and written to PAS 79-1:2020, the recognised method for non-domestic premises.

Page last reviewed: 22 October 2026.

School classroom

The law for education and leisure premises

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The employer is the responsible person: the local authority, governing body or academy trust for schools, and the operator for leisure centres and clubs. They must assess the fire risk, act on the findings and keep it under review.

Building Safety Act 2022, section 156

Since 1 October 2023 every responsible person must record the full fire risk assessment and their fire safety arrangements in writing, and record who carried it out.

Building Bulletin 100

BB100 is the Department for Education’s guidance on fire safety design in schools. It informs what we look for in compartmentation, escape routes and alarm systems.

Government guidance

HM Government’s fire safety guides for educational premises and for places of assembly set out what a suitable assessment covers. We assess against them and PAS 79-1:2020.

What we assess in schools and sports centres

Children and vulnerable people

Nursery and early-years areas, pupils with special educational needs, and personal evacuation plans.

Escape routes and assembly

Routes from classrooms, halls and sports halls, final exits and assembly points away from the building.

Alarm and drills

Alarm coverage, lockdown and fire alarm signals that are distinct, and termly drill records.

Labs, workshops and kitchens

Science prep rooms, design and technology workshops, kitchens and their stores.

Pools and plant

Pool chemical stores, boiler and plant rooms, and how swimmers are evacuated.

Arson and security

Bins and waste near buildings, out-of-hours use, lettings to outside groups and site security.

What we see most often in schools

Schools are busy during the day and often empty at night, which makes arson one of the biggest risks, particularly from bins and waste stored against buildings. Inside, we often find fire doors wedged open, displays and artwork on escape corridors, out-of-date personal evacuation plans for pupils and staff who need help, and evening and weekend lettings that are not covered by the main fire procedures.

How it works

1. Quote

Send us the address, the type of premises and its size. We confirm a fixed fee before we visit. Assessments start from £225 for smaller premises.

2. Site visit

Ray Amoah inspects classrooms, halls, labs, workshops, kitchens, plant rooms and outdoor areas, ideally outside teaching time, and reviews drill, training and maintenance records.

3. Written report

A clear report with photographs and a prioritised action plan, from urgent items to longer-term improvements.

4. Review

We remind you when the assessment is due for review, at least annually and after any significant change.

School and sports centre fire risk assessment FAQs

Who is responsible for fire safety in a school?

The employer is the responsible person. For community schools that is usually the local authority, for foundation and voluntary-aided schools the governing body, and for academies the academy trust. Headteachers often manage fire safety day to day on their behalf.

Drills should be frequent enough that everyone knows what to do. Many schools hold one each term, and the fire risk assessment will confirm what is appropriate for your site and pupils.

Yes. Nurseries and early-years settings need a fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with particular attention to how babies and young children would be evacuated.

Yes. Clubs, community groups and sports bookings that use the site in the evening or at weekends must be covered, including who is in charge and how they would raise the alarm and evacuate.

Assessments start from £225 for smaller premises. Schools, colleges and leisure centres are quoted on a fixed fee based on the size of the site, agreed before any work begins.

The law sets no fixed interval, but the assessment must stay current. Review it at least once a year as good practice, and straight away after building work, a change in how the premises are used, new equipment or a fire incident.

What clients say

“Full of expert knowledge, will most definitely use Ray again!”

Jaginder Chand, Google review

Related fire risk assessment services

Need a fire risk assessment for your school or sports centre?

Fixed-fee fire risk assessments across Milton Keynes, Bedford, London and the Home Counties. Send us the address and we will confirm a fee and visit date.